Why is the queen of England head of state in Australia?

Question

Also why is it that when she dies Charles won't become head of state of Austrailia??

Answer 1

cos she is a n00b!

Answer 2

In 1999 the Australian people voted in a referendum to keep the monarchy and dumped the idea of a politicians republic.

The Prince of Wales will be next King of Australia, whenever the time may come.

So far, there was no new referendum to change the constitution.

Answer 3

Tradition I believe she is also represented in canada and in South Africa and in a few other places

Answer 4

Because it's part of the Commonwealth along with Canada,et al. Edit since when has Prince Charles not been next in line, James?

Answer 5

The current Australian monarchy can trace its ancestral lineage ultimately back to the kings of the Angles and the early Scottish kings. Parts of the territories that today comprise Australia were claimed under King George III of the United Kingdom in 1770, after which, especially throughout the 19th century, the Crown's territory expanded to include the entire continent. The colonies voted to federate in 1901 and the Commonwealth of Australia was formed with the granting of Royal Assent by Queen Victoria the same year. The country's status as an independent nation, and thus the emergence of a separate Australian monarchy, was formalised through a series of enactments from the Statute of Westminister (1931) to the Australia Act (1986).

The monarchy of Australia is a system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign of Australia; the incumbent is Elizabeth II, officially called Queen of Australia, who has reigned since 6 February 1952. The heir apparent is Elizabeth's eldest son, Prince Charles, though the Queen is presently the only member of the Royal Family with any constitutional role. She, her husband and consort, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, and other members of the Royal Family, including the Queen's other children and cousins, undertake various public ceremonial functions across Australia and on behalf of Australia abroad.

The royal power within the Commonwealth of Australia is exercised by a Governor-General in accordance with the Australian Constitution. In the federal jurisdiction, the sovereign does not exercise these powers in person, save for a few specific duties, but may perform certain ceremonial functions in person, such as the opening of parliament. In each of the states, the monarch may perform the governors' functions in person when in the state herself. There is a debate about whether the Governor-General or the sovereign is head of state. The Australian monarch, besides reigning in Australia, separately serves as monarch for each of fifteen other Commonwealth countries. This developed from the former colonial relationship of these countries to Britain, but they are now independent and the monarchy of each is legally distinct.

Answer 6

Australia, like Canada and India, were former Crown Colonies, so she has the authority to be so, or not to be so, if she wishes. I'm from Canada, and she holds a similar power there. She doesn't have much say in Australia or Canada's doings anymore though, as they are independent from England. They choose the wars they fight, how the budget is spent, the dbet is handled, etc.

Answer 7

Australia is part of the UK COMMONWEALTH. Here's some information about Australia's history.And as for Charles sharing some of the power;I think the Queen is very serious about performing ALL of her Royal Duties.Many people didn't think it wise for Charles to take on the extra power as a head of state because it would detract from his mother's power.From http://www.royal.gov/uk

"Australia is a constitutional monarchy with The Queen as Sovereign.

As a constitutional monarch, The Queen, by convention, is not involved in the day-to-day business of the Australian Government, but she continues to play important ceremonial and symbolic roles.

The Queen's relationship to Australia is unique. In all her duties, she speaks and acts as Queen of Australia, and not as Queen of the United Kingdom.

The Queen's Royal style and title in Australia is Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God Queen of Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.

In the course of more than 50 years on the throne, The Queen has developed a very personal relationship with Australia through regular visits. She has travelled throughout the different states to meet people from all cultures, walks of life and regions of this enormous and fascinating country.

The settlement of Australia dates back thousands of years.

Prior to British colonisation in 1788, it is estimated that there were at least 300,000 Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in Australia and over 500 different clan groups or 'nations' around the continent, many with distinctive cultures and beliefs. There is evidence of Aboriginal life in Australia dating back at least 50,000 years.

Captain James Cook claimed the east coast of Australia for the British Crown in 1770 under instruction from King George III, naming it New South Wales.

British colonisation commenced with the arrival of the First Fleet to establish a penal colony at what became Sydney in January 1788.

The modern Commonwealth of Australia dates from 1901. In January of that year the former British colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania joined under the name of the Commonwealth of Australia, which became an independent dominion of the British Empire. Other territories joined later to form the ten territories in today's Commonwealth of Australia.

In 1926 the Imperial Conference held in London confirmed the fully autonomous status of Australia, together with Canada, New Zealand and the other overseas dominions, while stressing that they remained united by a common allegiance to the Crown.

From that point the Governor-General became solely the representative of the Sovereign, and not, as before, the Government of the United Kingdom as well.

In 1931, the Statute of Westminster applied the term 'dominion' to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Newfoundland, and the Irish Free State.

This meant it was a country of the British Empire and later the Commonwealth, with autonomy in domestic and foreign affairs. The term fell into disuse after World War II.

The Statute of Westminster gave legal form to the new status of the overseas dominions. It removed any remaining restrictions on legislative autonomy in those realms, except regarding legislation about succession to the throne.

In 1986, the Australia Acts removed the residual powers of the British government to intervene in the government of Australia or the individual states.

In 1999, a referendum was held to decide whether Australia would remain a constitutional monarchy or become a republic headed by a president. A majority of voters expressed a preference to retain the monarchy.

In the following year, during a visit to Australia, The Queen reaffirmed her pledge to serve as The Queen of Australia for as long as Australians want her: "I have always made it clear that the future of the monarchy in Australia is an issue for you, the Australian people, and you alone, to decide by democratic and constitutional means. It should not be otherwise."

Today, under the Australian Constitution, legislative power is vested in a Federal Parliament consisting of The Queen, a Senate and a House of Representatives. Executive power is vested in The Queen and is exercisable by the Governor-General as The Queen's representative.

In addition, in each of the six states there is a state government, whose constitutions, powers and laws have existed continuously since before federation.

The Commonwealth of Australia now includes ten territories, some of which were surrendered by the States and some of which were transferred by Britain to Australian jurisdiction.

The Commonwealth Parliament has conferred a large measure of self-government on three of the Territories, namely the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and Norfolk Island.

When The Queen visits Australia, she speaks and acts as Queen of Australia, and not as Queen of the United Kingdom.

As a constitutional monarch, The Queen acts entirely on the advice of Australian Government Ministers who are responsible to Parliament.

The Queen is represented in Australia at the federal level by a Governor-General. He or she is appointed by The Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister of Australia and is completely independent of the British Government.

At the state level The Queen is represented by the Governors of each state who are appointed on the advice of each state Premier.

The Queen maintains direct contact with the Governor-General, although she delegates executive power to him or her in virtually every respect.

The present Governor-General of Australia is His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC.

Duties which the Governor-General carries out in the name of The Queen include opening and dissolving the Australian Parliament; commissioning the Prime Minister and appointing other Ministers after elections; giving assent to laws when they have been passed by the two Houses of Parliament; and appointing Federal judges and ambassadors and high commissioners to overseas countries.

The Governor-General is the Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force, although in practice he or she acts only on the advice of Ministers. As Commander-in-Chief, the Governor-General has an important ceremonial role to play.

He or she attends military parades and special occasions such as Anzac Day, and presents colours and other insignia to units of the Australian Defence Force.

As The Queen's representative, the Governor-General also receives and entertains official visitors to Australia; conducts investitures at which people receive awards for notable service to the community; and entertains many Australian citizens active in the life of the community.

Both the Governor-General and The Queen send congratulatory messages to people celebrating notable birthdays and wedding anniversaries.

Even while based in the United Kingdom, The Queen is sensitive to her role as Queen of Australia, acknowledging issues which affect Australia through messages or congratulating Australian achievement.



The Queen's Royal style and title in Australia is Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God Queen of Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.

At her Coronation on 2 June 1953, The Queen swore an oath to govern the peoples of Australia and her other realms "according to their respective laws and customs."

In February 2006, for example, The Queen hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace for prominent Australians living in the United Kingdom.

When visiting Australia, The Queen is able to undertake some of the ceremonial roles of the Sovereign. In 1954, for example, The Queen opened Parliament in Canberra for the first time, wearing the gown she had worn for her Coronation the previous year.

The Queen supports public service through her patronage of a large number of Australian organisations. These include The Royal Humane Society of Australasia; the Partially Blinded Soldiers' Association of Australia; the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne; the Scout Association of Australia; and the Mothers' Union in Australia.

In addition The Queen holds a number of titles in the Australian Armed Forces, and has attended many events to honour their service in world conflicts.

In 2003, for example, The Queen acknowledged the huge debt owed to Australian servicemen and women in two world wars by opening the Australian War Memorial at Hyde Park Corner in London.

During her visits to Australia, one of The Queen's most important roles is to visit as many areas of society as possible.

The Queen aims to recognise the achievements of the country's different cultures and communities, from traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to the vibrant and economically flourishing cities. "

Answer 8

because england used to own australia and pricne charles is not next in line to the throne it is prince william or harry i cannot remember which

Answer 9

Because the Aussies were to dumb to vote for a change in their constitution when they had the chance.

If you love her so much, take her, pllllllleeeeeeeeese!

Charles wont become head of state cos she`ll probably out live him ?

Answer 10

Australia is a state and the Queen is head of it

Charles will become king of Australia when Elizabeth dies

unless Charles dies first then his first born son (William) will become head of state or king

Answer 11

Because England invaded Australia in 1770. The Queen will remain Head of State until she dies, then Charles as heir to the throne will take her place. Things will remain this way  until Australia becomes a Republic.