at any time. All Australians 18 years of age or older must vote in parliamentary and state elections. Those who do not vote may be fined. The federal courts. The High Court of Australia decides constitutional questions. It also serves as the nation's court of final appeals. Other federal courts deal with bankruptcy cases, family law, industrial disputes, and violations of federal law. Each Australian State has its own parliament, court system, head of government, and governor. The heads of state governments are called premiers. The governor of each state represents the queen. Australia's states do not operate as independently of the federal government as do, for example, the states of the United States. The Australian states have heavy administrative responsibilities in certain areas, such as local law enforcement, public education, and the building of roads. But the federal government collects nearly all the nation's taxes. Each state receives a share of the federal tax income. But this allowance is usually not enough to finance major new public works. By granting or denying a state's requests for additional funds or loans, the federal government strongly influences the services that the state provides....
