AUSTRALIA

POLS 2200

Sala
Aynoa
Waad
Historical background
Australia is the 6th largest nation in the world it is the wealthiest and
one of the most developed countries. it is in the continent of Oceania,
Australia it is between the South Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
People arrived to Australia about 30,000 years ago, Inhabitants that still
there till this day are called aborigines, aborigines have been described as
nomadic hunter-gatherers and fire stick farmers, they developed the skills
of hunting, fishing or gathering. they first stayed in the area that had water
and it is believed that because of their poor use of the environment; it led
to the dry nature of the Australian interior. The Aboriginal Australians had
great and strong dependence on the land as well as the water.
 Historical background
Colonial period of Australia 1788-1850
The Australian colonization was mostly driven by their need to address
overcrowding in the British prison system. The first fleet arrived at Botany Bay
on January of 1788 that Joseph Banks announced is suitable for a penal colony
after his return from his journey there in 1770. Fleets commander (Captain
Arthur Phillip) brought people from marines but then he found that the place
not safe and was not suitable also because they area did not have fresh water.
Fleet then moved to Port Jackson, few days later Philip and his people from
marines and other party of officers landed at a place that was unnamed but it
was believed to the beachfront at Camp Cove, and that occasion was marked
the first landing of members if the First fleet within Port Jackson, also first
known European landing in Sydney Harbour.
Right after moving further the harbor, Philip raised the British flag at
Sydney Cove. The colony of New South Wales was finally a penal colony
comprised mainly of convicts, soldiers and their wives from 1788-1823.
 Historical background
Colonial period of Australia 1788-1850
About 20% of these convicts were women, there was a lot of them that were
seeking employment, they got sent to female factories which was profit-making
textile factories, it then grew as an enclave for pregnant women and served as an
orphanage from the 1830s.
Australia got its independency on January 1 of 1901 when the British Parliament
passed legislation allowing the six Australiancolonies, which are Wester Australia,
South Australia, Queensland, New south Walves, Victoria and Tasmania to govern in
their own right as part of the Commonwealth of Australia. The Commonwealth of
Australiawas established as a constitutional monarchy.
Political History:
How has the historical context influenced current political system?

Australia's formal name is the Commonwealth of Australia.

Australia is both a representative democracy and a constitutional
monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as Australia's head of state.

It has 4 institutions:
Federation
Federal government
State and territory government
Local government
 Political History
How has the historical context influenced current political system?
Federation
The Commonwealth of Australia was formed on 1 January 1901
when six partly self governing British colonies united to become
states of a nation. The rules of government for this new nation
were enshrined in the Australian Constitution - external site,
which defined how the Commonwealth government was to
operate and what issues it could pass laws on.
The birth of Australia nation is often referred to as
'federation' because the Constitution created a 'federal'
system of government. Under a federal system, powers are
divided between a central government and individual states.
In Australia, power was divided between the Commonwealth
federal government and the six state governments.
Political History
How has the historical context influenced current political system?

Federal Government:
The Australian Parliament - external site consists of the Queen
(represented by the Governor-General), the Senate and the House of
Representatives. The Parliament passes laws which affect the whole
country. There are three arms of government in Australia:
the legislature (or Parliament) is responsible for debating and voting
on new laws to be introduced under the power of section 51.
the executive (the Australian Government) is responsible for enacting
and upholding the laws established by the legislature. Certain
members of the legislature (called ministers) are also members of the
executive, with special responsibilities for certain areas of the law.
the judiciary is the legal arm of the federal government. It is
independent of the other two arms, and is responsible for enforcing
the laws and deciding whether the other two arms are acting within
their powers.
 Political History
How has the historical context influenced current political system?

State and territory government

Although the six states joined together to form the Commonwealth of
Australia, they still each retain the power to make their own laws over
matters not controlled by the Commonwealth under Section 51 of the
Constitution. State governments also have their own constitutions, as
well as a structure of legislature, executive and judiciary.
Territories are areas within Australia's borders that are not claimed by
one of the six states. Territories can be administered by the Australian
Government, or they can be granted a right of self-government.
There are eight Australian territories in addition to the Australian
Capital Territory (ACT) and Northern Territory (NT). These territories are
governed according to Commonwealth law and the laws of a state.
Most have an appointed Administrator. Norfolk Island is no longer self-
governing. The Norfolk Island Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 has
replaced the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly and an elected
Regional Council will be established on 1 July 2016.
 Political History
How has the historical context influenced current political system?

State and territory government

Unlike the states, whose powers are defined through the
Constitution, the powers of these territories are defined in
Commonwealth law which grants them the right of self-
government. This also means that the Parliament can alter
or revoke these powers at will. Under Section 121 of the
Australian Constitution - external site, territories can become
states with the approval of the Parliament.
State and territory government provides more information
on the six state governments, the federal-state relationship,
and the government of Australia's territories.
 Political History
How has the historical context influenced current political system?

Local government
Constitutional responsibility for local government lies with the state and territory
governments. Consequently, the roles and responsibilities of local government differ
from state to state. Local governments are also known as local councils.
 Context of Economic Growth
Australia is a country that is fairly new to
the international scene in regards to its
ancient civilizational development and
historical context.
In spite of this background, Australia has
risen as one of the worlds most booming
economies and stable political systems
strong foundations rooted in values of
equality, progress, rights of individuals and
multi-faceted innovation
access to an abundance of natural
resources
Benefit of a Colonial Economy

Strong and Specified Foundation

Strong ideologies and practices
Most efficiently utilize its resources and
comparative advantage specific to Australia
Successful settler economy:
Favorable climate
pastoralism and agriculture
an abundance of mineral wealth
ease with which these resources were appropriated
from the indigenous population
The Advantages Derived of Colonial
Origins Evident Today
Australia is the 22nd largest export economy in the world
53rd most complex economy according to the Economic Complexity
Index (ECI).
In 2015, Australia exported $190B and imported $192B, resulting in a
negative trade balance of $1.77B.
In 2015, the GDP of Australia was $1.34T and its GDP per capita was
$46.3k.
The Australian GDP is distributed as follows: Services: 73%, Mining: 7%,
Construction:9%, Manufacturing:7%
Facets of the Current Stable Economy

Shown by 2017 Index of Economic Freedom:

Today, we live in the most prosperous time in human history.
Poverty, sicknesses, and ignorance are receding throughout the
world, due in large part to the advance of economic freedom.
In 2017, the principles of economic freedom that have fueled this
monumental progress are once again measured in the Index of
Economic Freedom, an annual guide published by The Heritage
Foundation, Washington's No. 1 think tank.
Regulation

Australias regulatory environment is one of the worlds most

transparent and efficient and is highly conducive to
entrepreneurship.
It takes only three procedures to launch a business.
The labor market is well supported by the modern and flexible
employment code.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has reacted prudently to the
slowdown in growth among the countrys trading partners, and
inflation remains below target levels.
Open Markets
Trade is moderately important to Australias economy;
The value of exports and imports taken together equals 41
percent of GDP.
The average applied tariff rate is 1.9 percent.
Most state-owned enterprises have been privatized.
Foreign firms compete on equal terms with domestic banks and
other financial institutions in Australias highly developed and
competitive financial system.
Though trade does not account for much of Australias GDP, it is
important to note that Australia does have a more open market.
Strong Rule of Law

Protects property rights and helps to minimize corruption.

Expropriation is highly unusual, and enforcement of contracts is
reliable.
Australias stable political environment supports transparent and
well-established political processes, a strong legal system,
competent governance, and an independent bureaucracy.
The judicial system operates independently and impartially. Anti-
corruption measures are generally effective.