C English-speaking countries

18. Australia: Geographical position, climate. History. Traditions and customs. Political system. Economy and main cities.

GEOGRAFICAL POSITION AND CLIMATE

Australia is an island continent in the Southern Hemisphere, lying between Antarctica and Asia. It is surrounded by the Indian Ocean to the west; the Timor, Arafura, and Coral Seas to the north; the Pacific Ocean to the east; and the Tasman Sea and Southern Ocean to the south.

Australia has six states (Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, and Queensland) and two territories (the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory), whose capital cities are, respectively, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart, Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin, and Canberra.

The climate of Australia is significantly influenced by ocean currents. Much of the northern part of the country has a tropical, predominantly summer-rainfall climate. The south-west corner of the country has a Mediterranean climate. Much of the south-east is temperate.

HISTORY

First Arrivals from Europe, 17th century: The first European sightings of Australia were made by a Dutchman called Willem Janszoon on the Duyfken (Little Dove). Janszoon sailed into Australian waters charting 300 km of the coast. Later Louis Vaez de Torres sailed through the Torres Strait, later named after him. Both Captains sighted the Cape York Peninsula.

It was in 1644 that Dutch explorer Abel Tasman proclaimed that Australia was made up of four coasts North, West, East and South. The Australian state of Tasmania was named after this famous explorer.

18th – 19th century: In 1776 Captain Cook landed in Botany Bay on the Eastern side of Australia in the ship named HM Bark Endeavour.

First Settlements

In 1788 the First Fleet arrived at Sydney Cove under Captain Arthur Phillip to establish the first settlement in Australia, a penal colony. In time that became Sydney. The date of his arrival, 26 January, is still today celebrated as Australia Day.

NATIONAL SYMBOLS, HOLIDAYS AND CHARACTER

National Symbols

The Australian National Flag has three elements on a blue background: the Union Flag or Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star and the Southern Cross. The Union Jack in the upper left corner recognizes the history of British settlement. Below the Union Jack is a white Commonwealth or Federation star. It has seven points symbolizing the unity of the six states and the territories of the Commonwealth of Australia.

The Australian National Anthem holds a special place of pride among the leading national symbols of Australia. 'Advanced Australia Fair' by Peter Dodds McCormick was proclaimed the National Anthem of Australia in 1984.

Commonwealth Coat of Arms

This is the formal symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia, its ownership and authority. The Commonwealth Coat of Arms comprises of a Shield with the badges of the six Australian states, surrounded by an ermine border which symbolizes federation. It is framed by the golden wattle and the national floral emblem and supported by the native animals, kangaroo and the emu.

Holidays

Australia Day

Australia Day is Australia's national day celebrated on 26 January annually in all states and territories. 26 January was chosen because it is the day of the establishment of the first English settlement at Port Jackson by Captain Arthur Phillip in 1788.

ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day is a day on which the country remembers those citizens who fell fighting or who served the country in wars. ANZAC Day is commemorated on 25 April every year. The tradition began to remember the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) soldiers who landed at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I.

Labour Day

Labour Day commemorates the achievements of the Australian labour movement. The celebration of Labour Day has its origins in the eight hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest. On 21 April 1856 Stonemasons and building workers on building sites around Melbourne, Australia, stopped work and marched from the University of Melbourne to Parliament House to achieve an eight-hour day.

Character

A predominant image among Australians is that they are very casual, easygoing, and familiar. A handshake is the most common way to greet a new acquaintance, and a hug, a kiss on the cheek, or a verbal greeting the most common way to greet a friend. There is an easy friendliness in public places. Personal privacy is respected and staring is discouraged, although eye contact is not avoided. When a line is forming, new arrivals must go to the end. In museums and exhibitions voices are hushed. In performance contexts the audience is expected to be silent and attentive.

POLITICAL SYSTEM

Government. Australia is a parliamentary democracy based on the British system of government. Federal, state, and territorial elections are held every three or four years. Voting is compulsory at the federal and state levels but not at the local government level. There are two houses of the federal and state parliaments except in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory.

Legislative authority

The Parliament of Australia, also known as the Commonwealth Parliament or Federal Parliament, is the legislative branch of the government of Australia. Parliament consists of three components: the Monarch, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. The Australian House of Representatives has 150 members representing a single electoral division, commonly referred to as an electorate or seat. The Australian Senate has 76 members. The Senate is afforded substantial powers by the Australian Constitution.

Executive authority

The role of head of state in Australia is divided between two people: the monarch of Australia and the Governor-General of Australia. The functions and roles of the Governor-General include appointing ambassadors, ministers and judges, giving Royal Assent to legislation, issuing writs for elections and bestowing honours. The Governor-General is the President of the Federal Executive Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force.

The Prime Minister of Australia is the highest government minister, leader of the Cabinet and head of government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia.

The Cabinet of Australia is the council of senior ministers responsible to Parliament. The Cabinet is appointed by the Governor-General, on the advice of the Prime Minister and serves at the former's pleasure. The strictly private Cabinet meetings occur once a week to discuss vital issues and formulate policy.

Judicial authority

The High Court of Australia is the Supreme Court in the Australian court hierarchy and the final court of appeal in Australia. It has both original and appellate jurisdiction, has the power of judicial review over laws passed by the Parliament of Australia and the parliaments of the States, and interprets the Constitution of Australia. The state supreme courts are also considered to be superior courts, those with unlimited jurisdiction to hear disputes and which are the pinnacle of the court hierarchy within their jurisdictions.

ECONOMY

Australia has a mixed, free-market economy based on services, manufacturing, mining, and agriculture. It is widely classified as one of the world's most developed countries. Agriculture, mining, and manufacturing are the traditional bases for the country's economic strength. Europe and the United States remain major trading partners, as does New Zealand. However, Australia now depends to a larger degree on trade with Asian countries such as China (including Hong Kong), Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Among Australia's great economic advantages are its sizable reserves of metals, fossil fuels, and other natural resources and its location in both tropical and temperate climate zones.

SYSTEM OF EDUCATION

Access to high-quality education is considered the right of all citizens, and the government provides compulsory primary and secondary schooling for children between ages six and fifteen. Most schools are fully funded by the government. The remainders are nongovernment schools that receive nearly half their funding from fees and private sources such as religious associations. Preschool centers are available for children younger than age six. Education is aimed at providing children with social and workplace skills. Educational methods vary depending on particular requirements; for example, education for children in remote rural locations relies heavily on advanced communication technologies.

Higher Education. Higher education is considered to offer the best employment opportunities. Consequently, tertiary education has become more widely available and is undertaken by an increasingly larger proportion of the population. It is available in two forms: universities and institutions of technical and further education (TAFE). Universities also attract substantial numbers of overseas students. The government is responsible for funding most universities and institutions, with increasing contributions being made by students in the form of fees and post graduation tax payments.