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
- JANUARY 27, 2010AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER SENTENCED TO HANG IN AFGHANISTAN
a former Australian soldier was sentenced to death in Afghanistan for shooting dead an Afghan colleague after a violent argument.
- JANUARY 1, 2010AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
- DECEMBER 18, 2009AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
AUSTRALIA: NEW RULES FOR AFP IN DEATH PENALTY CASES
the Australian Government released new guidelines to govern the release of police information to countries which may apply for the death penalty.
- NOVEMBER 19, 2009AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
AUSTRALIA: GOVT ENSURING DEATH PENALTY GONE FOREVER
Australian Attorney-General Robert McClelland told parliament he was introducing legislation that would ensure that the death penalty could not be reintroduced.
- APRIL 17, 2009AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
AUSTRALIA: COUNTRIES URGED TO ABOLISH DEATH PENALTY
the Commonwealth Lawyers Association of Australia wants the death sentence abolished in areas that still use it.
- JANUARY 1, 2009AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
- NOVEMBER 9, 2008AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
AUSTRALIA TO SEEK UN RESOLUTION AGAINST EXECUTIONS
Australia will press for an international moratorium on capital punishment following the execution of the Bali
- OCTOBER 30, 2008AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
Kevin Rudd reaffirmed Australia's opposition to the death penalty as the Bali bombers await execution
Kevin Rudd reaffirmed Australia's opposition to the death penalty as the Bali bombers await execution
- OCTOBER 21, 2008AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
AUSTRALIA: MPs 'NOT DIVIDED ON DEATH PENALTY'
federal MPs on both sides of politics oppose the death penalty, says Australian Labor backbencher Craig Thomson, amid reports of concerns that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has failed to articulate a consistent position on the issue
- OCTOBER 13, 2008AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
VIETNAM: TWO DEATH-ROW AUSTRALIANS GRANTED CLEMENCY BY HANOI
two Vietnamese-Australians facing the firing squad in Vietnam after being convicted of drug charges were granted clemency.
- OCTOBER 3, 2008AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
AUSTRALIA. DEATH PENALTY STAND LIMITED TO OUR OWN
Australia will not help people facing the death penalty other than its own citizens, Attorney-General Robert McClelland said.
- JULY 17, 2008AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
AUSTRALIA: DEATH PENALTY BARBARIC: VICTIM'S FATHER
in Australia, a former Adelaide magistrate who lost a son in the 2002 Bali bombings says the death penalty facing his son's killers is a deplorable, barbaric act that should never happen. Indonesia's Supreme Court dismissed the final legal challenge by th