Describe the features of party system in Australia.

The party system in Australia is characterized by several key features that shape the country's political landscape and electoral dynamics. These features reflect the diversity of political parties, the structure of the electoral system, and the historical and cultural context of Australian politics:

1. Two-party Dominance: The Australian party system is dominated by two major political parties: the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and the Liberal Party of Australia, which is often in coalition with the National Party of Australia to form the Liberal-National Coalition. These two parties have traditionally alternated in government at the federal level, with the Liberal-National Coalition generally representing the center-right and the ALP representing the center-left of the political spectrum.

2. Multi-party System: While the ALP and the Liberal-National Coalition are the two dominant parties, Australia also has a multi-party system with several minor parties and independents competing for seats in parliament. These minor parties represent a range of political ideologies and interests, including the Australian Greens (environmentalism), the Australian Greens, the Australian Democrats (centrist), and various smaller parties and independents representing specific issues or constituencies.

3. Preferential Voting System: Australia uses a preferential voting system, known as instant-runoff voting or preferential voting, for elections to the House of Representatives (lower house) and the Senate (upper house). Under this system, voters rank candidates in order of preference on the ballot paper. If no candidate receives an outright majority of first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their preferences are redistributed until a candidate achieves a majority.

4. Proportional Representation in the Senate: The Senate, Australia's upper house of parliament, is elected using a system of proportional representation known as single transferable vote (STV). This system allows for a greater diversity of political parties and independents to be represented in the Senate, as seats are allocated proportionally based on the share of votes received by each party or candidate in each state or territory.

5. Preference Deals and Coalitions: In federal elections, political parties often engage in preference deals or alliances with other parties and independents to maximize their chances of winning seats. These preference deals involve parties agreeing to exchange preferences with each other, either through formal agreements or informal understandings, to increase their combined vote share and secure election to parliament.

6. State-based Differences: While the ALP and the Liberal-National Coalition are the dominant parties at the federal level, the party system in Australia also varies at the state and territory level. Different parties may hold power in state and territory governments, reflecting regional differences, local issues, and historical factors. For example, the Australian Labor Party has traditionally been stronger in states such as Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania, while the Liberal-National Coalition has been more dominant in states such as New South Wales and Queensland.

7. Minority and Coalition Governments: While majority governments are common in Australia, minority governments and coalition governments have also occurred, particularly at the state and territory level. These governments involve cooperation between multiple parties or independents to form a government or to pass legislation, often requiring negotiation and compromise between different political factions.

8. Role of Independents: Independents play a significant role in the Australian party system, particularly in regional and rural areas where they may have strong local support and influence. Independents often run on platform's addressing local issues and concerns, and they may hold the balance of power in parliament, making them influential in government formation and policy decisions.

In conclusion, the party system in Australia is characterized by two-party dominance, a multi-party system with minor parties and independents, a preferential voting system, proportional representation in the Senate, preference deals and coalitions, state-based differences, and the role of independents. These features reflect the complexity and diversity of Australian politics, shaping electoral outcomes, government formation, and policy debates in the country.