Australia
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- federal parliamentary democracy
- CONSTITUTION
- July 9, 1900, in effect from January 1, 1901
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on English common law
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- bicameral, Senate and House of Representatives
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- High Court, judges appointed by the Governor-General High Court of Australia, each of the 6 states and 2 territories and Norfolk Island have a Supreme Court. The High Court is the final court of appeal for territorial courts.
RELIGIONS
26% Catholics; 21% Anglicans; 21% other Christians; 1% minorities (including Aboriginals)
From the country
APRIL 16, 2024AustraliaDEATH PENALTYUSA - Binding Assurances that Julian Assange Will Not Face the Death Penalty
- FEBRUARY 1, 2021AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
AUSTRALIA WON’T EXTRADITE S’PORE-BORN MURDER SUSPECT IF DEATH PENALTY AWAITS HIM
A man born in Singapore wanted in relation to a murder case nearly four decades ago is in jail in Australia, but the country’s Attorney-General’s Department has said he cannot be extradited if he faces the death penalty.
- JUNE 16, 2020ChinaDEATH PENALTY
AUSTRALIA VOICES CONCERN OVER MAN SENTENCED TO DIE IN CHINA
Australia’s prime minister said on 16 June 2020 that his government is “very sad and concerned” by China’s sentencing of an Australian man to death for drug trafficking.
JUNE 14, 2020ChinaDEATH PENALTYCHINA: AUSTRALIAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
An Australian man on 10 June 2020 was sentenced to death in China on drug charges, federal government said, a development that could further escalate tensions between the two countries.
- JANUARY 1, 2020AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
- JANUARY 24, 2019AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
AUSTRALIA WON’T EXTRADITE SIRUL UNLESS DEATH PENALTY ABOLISHED, SAYS LAWYER
Australia will not extradite convicted murderer and former police officer Sirul Azhar Umar unless the death penalty is abolished in Malaysia, said lawyer Ramkarpal Singh on 22 January 2019.
- JANUARY 1, 2019AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
- JANUARY 1, 2018AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
- JANUARY 1, 2017AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
- JANUARY 1, 2016AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
APRIL 2, 2015ChinaDEATH PENALTYCHINA: AUSTRALIAN MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR DRUG SMUGGLING
A Queensland man has been sentenced to death in China after being caught trying to smuggle methamphetamine to Australia.
- JANUARY 1, 2015AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.