A governor appointed by the British Crown on the advice of the Queensland government serves as the chief executive in Queensland. An executive council of 11 ministers assists the governor. The state parliament has most of the governing power in Queensland. The parliament consists of 82 members in a single assembly who serve three-year terms. Queensland is represented in the federal parliament by 24 representatives and 10 senators.
All adults can vote.
The English navigator James Cook explored the coast of Queensland in 1770 and took possession of the region. Cook called it New South Wales. After 1840, free settlers entered the region. Queensland was a part of New South Wales until 1859, when it became a separate colony. In 1867, the discovery of gold brought a rush of immigration.