Country information

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Area: 7,682m sq km
Population: 20.7 million
Capital City: Canberra
People: 99% of the population are of European or Asian descent
Languages: Mainly English with some other European, indigenous and Asian languages
Religion(s): Predominantly Christian with Buddhist, Jewish and Muslim
Currency: Australian Dollar (A$)
Major Political Parties: There are seven registered parties. They are the: Australian Labor Party (ALP), Liberal Party, National Party, Green Party, One Nation, Australian Democrats, and Family First.
Government: The Australian Constitution of 1901 established a federal system of government. Under this system, powers are distributed between a federal government (the Commonwealth) and the six States (three Territories - the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory, and Norfolk Island have self-government arrangements). The Parliament is at the very heart of the Commonwealth government. The Parliament consists of The Queen (represented by the Governor-General) and two Houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. These three elements make Australia a constitutional monarchy, a federation and a parliamentary democracy.
Head of State: Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II
Governor-General: HE Major-General Michael Jeffery.  HW Ms Quentin Bryce will become the 25th Governor General on 5th September 2008.
Prime Minister: The Hon Kevin Rudd MP (Leader Labor Party)
Foreign Minister: The Hon Stephen Smith MP
Membership of international groups/organisations: The United Nations (UN), the Commonwealth, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC), Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum (ARF), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), Pacific Community (SPC), South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

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