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Asia and Oceania
Australia |
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Last updated: 21 May 2009 |
Country information
Area: 7,682m sq km
Population: 21.75 million
Capital city: Canberra
People: 99% of the population are of European or Asian descent
North-West Europe: 1,526,973
Southern and Eastern Europe: 848,306
South-East Asia: 605,545
North-East Asia: 515,742
Southern and Central Asia: 346,363
Languages: Mainly English with some other European, indigenous and Asian languages
Religion(s): Predominantly Christian with Buddhist, Jewish and Muslim minorities
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. The Liberal and National Parties are in coalition at the national level, and in most states except Queensland, where they have merged to form the National Liberal Party.
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 more limited powers). The Parliament is at the 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. Australia is thus a constitutional monarchy, a federation and a parliamentary democracy.
Head of State: Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II
Governor-General: HE Ms Quentin Bryce AC became the 25th Governor General on 5th September 2008.
Prime Minister: The Hon Kevin Rudd MP (Leader Australian 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), theASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), East Asia Summit(EAS), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the Group of 20 (G20), the Major Emitters Forum (MEF).
