I never did understand what a prime minister is, think it's similar to the USA president? I knew a political science major, and he tried to explain it, but I didn't get it. Think most countries that are not dictatorships use prime ministers. But having lived all my life in the USA and being only dimly aware of the rest of the world I never did figure it out...

Whilst politics is not actually this site, we do have tiers of government, as you do, but do not have the circus you have when getting a President.

In our case,there is a Federal Government, that's where the Prime Minister comes in & it covers the whole country States & Territories.

The States do have a Parliament, that has a Premier. That is possibly similar to a State Governor over there but with not the same powers.

The Governor General under the Constitution is the only one with the power to sack the Federal Government if it goes feral.

Australia is known as a constitutional monarchy. The Queen of England is the head and the Governor General represents her in Australia.
It is described here;
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/federasi/tema1/aus_pol_chart_e.pdf

Enough already.

+1 GTC there is enough on TV.

As I have in the past, I will allow a continued discussion as it currently stands providing it is used to share information on how Australia's system of government works.

If it becomes a slag-off or becomes a debate on the best and worst from the Right and Left sides of politics then the thread will be closed. This warning applies to debate on whether the new Prime Minister deserves to be there or not or debate on his motives.

Just to clarify that the General Discussion forum is exactly that - for general discussion and that there is a distinction between politics and political systems. We are all adults and should be able to remember the difference, though the warning remains.