Government Of Western Australia
Government of Western Australia
The Government of Western Australia, also known as the WA Government, is the executive branch that governs the state of Western Australia. This government is structured within the framework of a democratic constitutional monarchy. Western Australia has been a constituent state of the Commonwealth of Australia since the federation in 1901.
Structure
State Cabinet and Executive Council
The WA Government is composed of the State Cabinet and the Executive Council. The State Cabinet is the primary decision-making body in the state, while the Executive Council gives legal force to the decisions of the government through the Governor of Western Australia.
Premier of Western Australia
The head of the government is the Premier of Western Australia. The premier is similar to a prime minister at the state level, leading the executive branch and representing the state in various capacities. The premier is typically the leader of the party that holds the majority in the Legislative Assembly.
Legislative Branch
The legislative authority is vested in the Parliament of Western Australia, which is a bicameral legislature. It is composed of two houses: the Legislative Assembly (lower house) and the Legislative Council (upper house). The Parliament is responsible for enacting laws and overseeing the executive branch.
Local Government
Western Australia is divided into 137 local government areas, which include 27 cities, 102 shires, and 8 towns. These local governments manage local affairs and provide community services such as waste management, town planning, and community development.
Public Sector
The WA Government includes approximately 130 agencies and authorities, employing around 240,000 people. These entities deliver a wide range of services, from education and health to transport and emergency services. The government had an expected operating expenditure of A$43.59 billion in the 2024–25 financial year.
Regions
The state is divided into several regions for economic development. This division aids in the organization and delivery of government services and infrastructure in Western Australia's vast geographic area.