Executives

This chapter discusses the executive branch in Australia. It demonstrates the relationship between the explicit terms of the Australian Constitution and the way the Executive is actually organized. It also identifies the unwritten but constitutionally salient features of executive organization, and how they relate to broader constitutional values such as responsible government, effectiveness, and legality. The chapter highlights the various ways of controlling Executive action, from the traditional parliamentary and judicial channels, to mechanisms such as party structures, departmental reporting and accounting obligations, and centrally imposed budgetary and financial disciplines, alongside scrutiny by integrity bodies.