Opposition (Australia)

In Australian parliamentary practice, the Opposition or Official Opposition is usually the official title of the second largest party or coalition of parties in the Australian House of Representatives with its leader being given the title "Leader of the Opposition". The Opposition serves the same function as the official opposition in other Commonwealth of Nations monarchies that follow the Westminister conventions and practices. It is seen as the alternative government and the existing administration's main opponent in the Australian Parliament and at a general election. By convention, the Opposition Leader in the federal Parliament comes from the House of Representatives, as does the deputy, although the Government and Opposition may also both have leaders in the Senate. The Opposition is sometimes styled as "Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition" to show that, although the group may be against the sitting government, it remains loyal to the Crown (the embodiment of the Australian state), and thus to Australia.

The current Opposition at a federal level is the centre-left Australian Labor Party, led by Bill Shorten.

State and Territory Opposition

The Opposition parties and leaders of Australian States and Territories are:

State/Territory	Opposition Party		Leader of the Opposition
Australian Capital Territory		Liberal Party of Australia	Alistair Coe
New South Wales		Australian Labor Party (NSW Branch)	Luke Foley
Northern Territory		Country Liberal Party	Gary Higgins
Queensland		Liberal National Party	Tim Nicholls
South Australia		Liberal Party of Australia (SA Division)	Steven Marshall
Tasmania		Australian Labor Party	Bryan Green
Victoria		Liberal Party of Australia	Matthew Guy
Western Australia		Australian Labor Party	Mark McGowan

See also

• Shadow Cabinet (Australia)
• List of federal Opposition Leaders