Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states. The terms of this contract are embodied in the Australian Constitution, which was drawn up at a Constitutional Convention and ratified by the people of the colonies at referendums. The Australian head of state is the Queen of Australia who is represented by the Governor-General of Australia, with executive powers delegated by constitutional convention to the Australian head of government, the Prime Minister of Australia.
Barton Ministry
The Barton Ministry (Protectionist) was the 1st ministry of the Government of Australia. It was led by the country's 1st Prime Minister, Sir Edmund Barton. The Barton Ministry was formed on 1 January 1901 when Federation took place and Australia became fully independent from the United Kingdom. The ministry was replaced by the First Deakin Ministry on 24 September 1903 following Barton's retirement from Parliament to enter the inaugural High Court.