titutional monarchy like Britain. The British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, is also queen of Australia and the country's head of state. However, the queen has little or no power in the Australian government. She serves mainly as a symbol of the historical tie between the two countries. Australia is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the association formed by Britain and a number of its former colonies that are now independent countries. A governor-general, who represents the queen, officially heads the federal government of Australia. The queen appoints the governor-general on the recommendation of the Australian Prime Minister. The governor general's role, like the queen's, is mainly symbolic. In 1975, however, the governor-general used his power to remove the Prime Minister from office. The Prime Minister, Australia's head of government, is normally responsible only to the majority party or coalition. If the party or coalition chooses a new leader, that person becomes Prime Minister. The Prime Minister appoints members of Parliament to head the government departments. The department heads, called ministers, and the Prime Minister make up the Cabinet. The Cabinet establishes major government policies. The federal Parliament has an upper and a Lower House. The upper house is called the Senate and the Lower House is called the House of Representatives. Most bills are introduced in the House. The Senate reviews bills passed by the House and can reject them. The Australian Senate has 76 members. Each state elects 12 senators and each mainland territory elects 2. Membership in the 148-member House of Representatives is divided among the states and mainland territories according to population. Senators are elected to six-year terms, and representatives to three-year terms. Elections for the House must be held at least every three years. But the Prime Minister may ask the governor general to dissolve the House and call for new elections ...
