Queensland Government
The Queensland Government is the executive government of the state of Queensland, Australia. Government is formed by the party or coalition that has gained a majority in the Legislative Assembly, with the governor officially appointing office-holders. The first government was formed in 1859 when Queensland separated from New South Wales under the state constitution. Since federation in 1901, Queensland has been a state of Australia, with the Constitution of Australia regulating its relationship with the Commonwealth. Like its federal counterpart, the Queensland Government takes the form of a parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
Queensland's system of government is influenced by the Westminster system and Australia's federal system of government. Executive acts are given legal force through the actions of the governor of Queensland, although the governor in practice performs only ceremonial duties, with de facto executive power lying with the Cabinet. The Cabinet is the government's chief policy-making organ which consists of the premier and senior ministers. Each minister is responsible for exercising policy and legislation through the respective state government department.
The headquarters for each government department are located in the capital city of Brisbane, with most departments based at 1 [William Street, Brisbane|1 William Street], a purpose-built skyscraper in the Brisbane central business district.
Executive power
Queensland 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 Queensland, which consists of the King, represented by the Governor of Queensland, and the one house, the Legislative Assembly of Queensland. De jure executive power rests formally with the Executive Council, which consists of the Governor and senior minister, but is exercised de facto by the state cabinet.The Governor, as representative of the Crown, is the formal repository of power, which is exercised by him or her on the advice of the Premier of Queensland and the Cabinet. The Premier and Ministers are appointed by the Governor, and hold office by virtue of their ability to command the support of a majority of members of the Legislative Assembly.