Western Australia is Australia's
largest state in area, covering the western third of
the mainland, and is bordered by South Australia and
the Northern Territory. It is, after the Sakha Republic
in Russia, the second largest subnational entity (Statoid)
in the world. The capital city, Perth, is one of the
most isolated cities of its size on the planet, being
closer to Jakarta (3,007 km) than to Sydney (3,284 km).
West Australians are often colloquially
referred to as sandgropers due to the sandy soils around
Perth.
Western
Australia was granted self-government in 1889 with
a bicameral House of Parliament, located in Perth, consisting
of the Legislative Assembly (or lower house), and the
Legislative Council (or upper house). Suffrage is universal
and compulsory for Australian citizens residing in Western
Australia over 18 years of age.
With the federation of the Australian
colonies in 1901, Western Australia became a State within
Australia's federal structure; this involved ceding
certain powers to the Commonwealth (or Federal) government
in accordance with the Constitution; all powers not
specifically granted to the Commonwealth remained solely
with the State, however over time the Commonwealth has
effectively expanded its powers through increasing control
of taxation and financial distribution.
Whilst the sovereign of Western
Australia is the Queen of Australia (Queen Elizabeth
II), and executive power nominally vested in her State
representative the Governor (currently Ken Michael),
executive power is effectively administered by the premier
and ministers. The premier is Alan Carpenter and ministers
are drawn from the party or coalition of parties holding
a majority of seats in the lower house of Parliament,
(currently Labor).
