| Victoria State Government | |
|---|---|
 Logo | |
| Overview | |
| Established |
|
| State | Victoria |
| Country | Australia |
| Leader | Premier of Victoria (Jacinta Allan) |
| Appointed by | Governor of Victoria (Margaret Gardner)[1] on theadvice of the premier |
| Main organ | |
| Ministries | 10 government departments |
| Responsible to | Parliament of Victoria |
| Annual budget | $111.7 billion (2023-2024)[2] |
| Headquarters | 1 Treasury Place |
| Website | vic |
TheVictoria State Government, also referred to as theVictorian Government, is theexecutive government of theAustralian state ofVictoria.
The first government of Victoria was formed on 1 July 1851 when thePort Phillip District separated from thecolony of New South Wales, becoming a separate colony, thecolony of Victoria. The first Legislative Council of the new government met on 11 November 1851, and proceeded to draft a Constitution of Victoria, approve the world's first secret ballot for elections, and buildParliament House inMelbourne. After the Constitution was approved byQueen Victoria,responsible self-government in Victoria began on 23 November 1855.[3]
On 1 January 1901 Victoria became astate in the newly formedCommonwealth of Australia, and responsibilities were divided between theCommonwealth (federal) government and the state government. National services such as defence, telephone, and postal services came under the federal government, while the Victorian Parliament remained responsible for police and education.[3]
TheConstitution of Australia regulates the relationship between the Victorian Government and the Commonwealth level of government, and cedes legislative and judicial supremacy to the federal government on conflicting matters.[4]
The Victoria State Government enforcesacts passed by the parliament through government departments,statutory authorities, and other public agencies. Legislation is introduced, debated, an passed or amended in the democratically-electedParliament of Victoria, which comprises theVictorian Legislative Council (upper house) andVictorian Legislative Assembly (lower house).
The government is formally presided over by theGovernor of Victoria, who exercises executive authority granted by thestate's constitution through the Executive Council, a body consisting of senior cabinetministers. In reality, both the governor and the Executive Council are largely ceremonial, with thepremier and ministers having control over policy, appointments, and other executive orders made by the governor.[5][better source needed]
The Government of Victoria operates under the principles of theWestminster system as adapted in the Australian Constitution and of responsible government. Both systems and principles of governance have developed out of the United Kingdom, to which Victoria was previously a colony.[citation needed]
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, appointed by the governor, provided they cancommand the support of a majority of members of theLegislative Assembly. The Cabinet is the de facto chief policy making organ and consists of the premier and all ministers.[citation needed]
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