Government of New South Wales

The Government of New South Wales, also known as the NSW Government, is the democratic administrative authority in New South Wales, Australia, and is empowered by the state Constitution. Since Federation in 1901, New South Wales has been a state of Australia, and the federal Constitution regulates its relationship with the Commonwealth. Under the Australian Constitution, all states ceded legislative and judicial supremacy, but retained powers in all matters not in conflict with the Commonwealth. There are 10 'clusters' of the NSW Government, as well as a large number of supporting agencies, authorities, commissions and other public bodies. These clusters (for example, NSW Health) are typically led by a ministerial department (Ministry of Health, etc.) and supported by government agencies and organisations (such as Local Health Districts, HealthShare NSW or the Agency for Clinical Excellence). There are also independent structures, such as the Electoral Commission or the Independent Commission Against Corruption, that oversee the integrity of democratic processes. The current government is held by the state division of the Australian Labor Party (New South Wales Branch). The current premier is Chris Minns, who succeeded Dominic Perrottet on 25 March 2023 following the 2023 New South Wales state election on 25 March 2023. Executive and judicial powers New South Wales is governed according to the principles of the Westminster system, a form of parliamentary government based on the model of the United Kingdom. Legislative power rests with the Parliament of New South Wales, which consists of the Crown, represented by the Governor of New South Wales, and the two Houses, the New South Wales Legislative Council (the upper house) and the New South Wales Legislative Assembly (the lower house). Executive power rests formally with the Executive Council, which consists of the Governor and senior ministers.