By

Marise Donnolley

Editor - My Business

Another day, another change. It’s one of the few things we can be certain of right now. From social distancing rules to shutdowns and job payments, COVID-19 is cutting a swathe through life as we know it. And governments all over Australia are pulling together to help tackle the crisis. 

In Australia there are three levels of government:

  • federal Parliament—which makes laws for the whole of Australia
  • six state and two mainland territory parliaments—which make laws for their state or territory
  • more than 500 local councils—which make local laws (by-laws) for their region or district.  

They all hold elections, provide goods and services, and make and enforce laws.

Federal 

The Australian Federal Government is responsible for things like:

  • employment and unemployment strategies
  • defence
  • foreign policy and immigration
  • airports and air safety
  • post and telecommunications
  • national public works
  • social services such as pensions and family support
  • Medicare and health funding
  • post-secondary education.

So, JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments, closing Australia’s borders and Medicare-funded Telehealth consultations are all driven at a federal level. 

The Federal Government is also involved, mainly through funding, in many things largely carried out by the states, such as health, education, environmental issues and industrial relations.

States and territories

State and territory parliaments make laws that are enforced within their state or territory. 

Major state responsibilities include: 

  • schools
  • hospitals
  • conservation and environment efforts
  • roads, railways, public transport and public works infrastructure 
  • agriculture and fishing
  • industrial relations
  • community services
  • sport and recreation
  • consumer affairs
  • police
  • prisons
  • emergency services. 

Each state has its own constitution setting out its system of government.

Local governments

The power of local governments is controlled by Acts of State Parliament such as the Local Government Acts. Local councils are concerned with matters close to our homes, such as building regulations and development, public health, local roads and footpaths, parks and playing fields, libraries, local environmental issues, waste disposal, and many community services.

With COVID-19, it’s your local council that puts up the ‘closed’ signs on parks and helps to clear beaches when people flout social distancing rules.

How decisions are made

When something extraordinary like COVID-19 strikes, critical decisions need to be made quickly. 

That necessity triggered the establishment of the National Cabinet, made up of the Prime Minister and all state and territory premiers and chief ministers. Basically, it is COAG (Council of Australian Governments) by another name. In times of crisis, cooperation and cohesion are essential and the cabinet allows all jurisdictions to be represented and have input.

The national cabinet is supported by the chief medical officers, who meet as the Australian Health Protection and Principles Committee (AHPPC). They provide the modelling, research and data that form the basis of decisions made by the National Cabinet. Economic advice comes from the Reserve Bank, Treasury and members of the Council of Financial Regulators, ASIC and APRA.

The National Cabinet meets regularly, deals with issues as they emerge and makes rapid decisions. 

It has announced financial assistance packages, moratoriums on tenant evictions and a raft of restrictions on activities, events and businesses. Many of the measures, and how they are applied, are then up to each state. For example, if you breach social distancing rules in Queensland you might cop a $1,334 fine, while in New South Wales you could be slapped with an $11,000 penalty. 

The number of COVID-19 infections in an area will also influence what happens and when. Premier Daniel Andrews recently flagged that Victoria could be heading for stage four restrictions as coronavirus numbers in the state are expected to rise. 

As the situation rapidly evolves, it’s important to understand what changes are being introduced and how they will affect you. For a listing of government websites, click here. 

Marise Donnolley

Editor, My Business

Marise Donnolley is a journalist and editor with more than 20 years' experience in the media.