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Parliamentary Education Office, 2008. Please visit the Image Library page for important information about use of images.

Description

This diagram illustrates the two tiers of Australian law.

• Federal power to make law is defined by the Australian Constitution. A federal law is called an Act of Parliament.
• State power to make law is defined by state constitutions. A state law is called an Act of State Parliament. State constitutions also define the ordinances and regulations of local councils.

In Australia, laws must be created according to the Australian and state constitutions. All people must keep the law, and all people may be judged by the law.