Government of South Australia

Government of South Australia
State government overview
Formed 1856 (1856)
Website www.sa.gov.au

The form of the Government of South Australia is prescribed in its constitution, which dates from 1856, although it has been amended many times since then. Since 1901 South Australia has been a state of the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Australian constitution regulates its relationship with the Commonwealth.

Under the Australian constitution, South Australia ceded certain legislative and judicial powers to the Commonwealth, but retained complete independence in all other areas. In practice, however, the independence of the Australian states has been eroded by the increasing financial domination of the Commonwealth.

South Australia 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 South Australia, which consists of the Crown, represented by the governor of South Australia, and the two Houses, the South Australian Legislative Council and the South Australian House of Assembly, with general elections held every four years.

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 South Australia 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 House of Assembly.

Judicial power is exercised by the Supreme Court of South Australia 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.

Government Departments

There are 23 separate departments within the Government of South Australia's public service.[1]

Attorney-General's Department

The South Australian Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) brings together a diverse group of functions across justice, rights protection and public safety on behalf of the community. Agencies include:

Auditor-General's Department

The Auditor-General's Department provides the Parliament and public sector entities with independent professional opinions on matters related to financial management, compliance with legislative requirements.

Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources

Department for Communities and Social Inclusion

The Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (previously the Department for Families and Communities) works with people who may be poor, vulnerable, at risk of harm or isolated, to connect them to choices and opportunities:

Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure

The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (formerly Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure) has responsibilities in relation to transport system and services. They also work regularly with police in regards to motor vehicle registration, enforcement of speed limits and other road matters.[3]

Department for Education and Child Development

The Department for Education and Child Development delivers and coordinates children's services and schooling.

Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology

The Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology develops the state's workforce, skills base and learning opportunities. And developing science research and information economy opportunities:

Department for Health and Ageing (SA Health)

SA Health[4] is responsible for protecting and improving public health by providing leadership in health reform, policy development and planning:[5] Local Health Networks (LHNs):

The following agencies report to a designated LHN:

Department for Health and Ageing divisions:

Department of Justice

Department of Justice the coordinating entity for the provision of justice services to the community and Government of South Australia.

Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy

The Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy (DMITRE[6] is the South Australian Government's agency for economic and industrial development, trade, minerals, energy, and renewable energy policy.

Department of Planning and Local Government

Department of Planning and Local Government is responsible for guiding and administering the South Australian Planning and Development Assessment System:[7]

Department of Primary Industries & Regions

Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA)[9] is an agency for economic development and ensuring the sustainable development of the state's natural resources.[10]

Department of the Premier and Cabinet

The Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC)[11] provides central agency leadership on matters that affect South Australia's prosperity.

It provides economic and policy advice to support the government's strategic priorities, the state's international relationships and the management of ICT Strategy, innovation and investment. DPC publishes and advances South Australia's Strategic Plan and has expressed commitments to community engagement, excellence in service delivery and good business practice.

Department of Treasury and Finance

Department of Treasury and Finance provides economic, policy and financial advice to the Government, manages the whole of Government financial management processes, including preparation of the State Budget, and provides finance-related services across Government.

Recreation and Sport

Government business enterprises

References

  1. ↑ Government - Government of South Australia. Accessed 2 July 2012.
  2. ↑ HomeStart Finance Accessed 12 April 2013.
  3. ↑ http://dpti.sa.gov.au/
  4. ↑ SA Health Accessed 1 June 2012.
  5. ↑ SA Health > About SA Health Accessed 1 June 2012.
  6. ↑ )sa.gov.au > Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy Accessed 11 August 2012
  7. ↑ Department of Planning and Local Government, www.sa.gov.au
  8. ↑ Office for the Southern Suburbs, www.oss.sa.gov.au
  9. ↑ PIRSA, Primary Industries and Regions SA, Accessed 4 August 2012
  10. ↑ sa.gov.au > Department of Primary Industries and Regions Accessed 11 August 2012.
  11. ↑ Department of the Premier and Cabinet, www.dpc.sa.gov.au
  12. ↑ Capital City Committee Directorate, www.capcity.adelaide.sa.gov.au
  13. ↑ State Records of South Australia, www.archives.sa.gov.au
  14. ↑ Public Sector Workforce Relations, www.pswr.sa.gov.au
  15. ↑ SafeWork SA, www.safework.sa.gov.au
  16. ↑ Office of the Economic Development Board, www.competitivesa.biz
  17. ↑ Adelaide Cemeteries Authority, www.aca.sa.gov.au
  18. ↑ Outback Communities Authority, www.oca.sa.gov.au
  19. ↑ "ForestrySA Corporate Overview". ForestrySA. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  20. ↑ "About us". SA Water. Retrieved 18 August 2015.

External links

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