POLITICAL HISTORY

From 1788, Australia was governed by British rule. By 1850, the eastern colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) were granted relative autonomy and self government. In 1901, Federation united what were then six colonies to become the Commonwealth of Australia.

Traditionally, Aboriginal laws and customs have provided systems of authority and principles for resolution of conflict. Some Aboriginal communities continue to follow traditional laws and customs with varying levels of acceptance from wider Australia.

At the time of Federation, all males over 21 were given the right to vote. The following year women were granted the right to vote and stand for election, although it was not until 1943 that the first woman was elected to Federal Parliament.

In the lead-up to Federation, Australia's first modern political party, the Labor Party, was established as an offshoot of a powerful union movement. Following Federation there were three major parties until the predecessors of the Liberal and National parties formed a coalition to oppose Labor in the 1920s. Like most modern democracies, Australia functions under this two party system with occasional pressure from minor parties.