Politics

The Tasmanian constitution was written in 1856, when the island became a self-governing British colony. In 1901, Tasmania became part of the newly established Commonwealth of Australia, under the Australian Constitution.

Tasmania is now an Australian state. It therefore enjoys equal representation in the Senate, with 12 senators representing the islands. Tasmania also has an entitlement to a minimum of five seats in the House of Representatives, which is more than it would be able to qualify for on the basis of its population size alone. Tasmania also has its own House of Assembly.

Politically, Tasmania is notable for the high level of support for the Greens, since the party enjoys more support in the state that any other Green party does anywhere else in the world. Many ecologically important areas exist within Tasmania and the support for the Greens reflects the importance than Tasmanians place on these valuable natural resources. Many development projects in the state have been opposed by the people on the basis of the harm that they would do to the natural environment.