Australian politics operates within a parliamentary system, where the Parliament of Australia consists of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The government is led by the Prime Minister, who is the head of the party or coalition that holds the majority in the House of Representatives. Elections are held every three years, allowing citizens to vote for their representatives. The political landscape is characterized by multiple parties, with the two major ones being the Liberal Party and the Labor Party. Additionally, smaller parties and independents play significant roles, especially in the Senate, where they can influence legislation and government decisions.