Government of Victoria (Australia)

Government of Victoria

Emblem of the Victorian Government and its agencies
Coat of arms of the State of Victoria, used for formal and ceremonial purposes.
Formation	1851 as responsible Colonial government; 1901 as an Australian state
Australian state	Victoria
Website	http://www.vic.gov.au/
Legislative branch
Legislature	Parliament of Victoria; Legislative Council of Victoria Legislative Assembly of Victoria
Meeting place	Parliament House
Executive branch
Main organ	Victorian Ministry
Leader	Premier
Appointer	Governor
Meeting place	Parliament House
Judicial branch
Court	Supreme Court
Seat	Melbourne

The Government of Victoria, also referred to as the Victorian Government, is the Australian state democratic administrative authority of Victoria. The Government of Victoria, a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, was formed in 1851 as prescribed in its Constitution, as amended from time to time. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, Victoria has been a state of the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Constitution of Australia regulates its relationship with the Commonwealth. Under the Australian Constitution, Victoria ceded legislative and judicial supremacy to the Commonwealth, but retained powers in all matters not in conflict with the Commonwealth.

Victoria is governed according to the principles of the Westminster system, a form of parliamentary government based on the model of the United Kingdom. Legislative power rests with the Parliament of Victoria, which consists of the Crown, represented by the Governor of Victoria, and the two Houses, the Victorian Legislative Council (the upper house) and the Victorian Legislative Assembly (the lower house).

Executive power rests formally with the Executive Council, which consists of the Governor and senior ministers. In practice executive power is exercised by the Premier of Victoria and the Cabinet, who are appointed by the Governor, but who hold office by virtue of their ability to command the support of a majority of members of the Legislative Assembly.

Judicial power is exercised by the Supreme Court of Victoria and a system of subordinate courts, but the High Court of Australia and other federal courts have overriding jurisdiction on matters which fall under the ambit of the Australian Constitution.