Australia is desert. The main mountain chain, the Great Dividing Range, runs down the east coast, rising to Australia’s highest point at Mt Kosciusko (2,230 metres). Consequently, many of the draining to the east are short; those flowing to the west, of which the Murray–Darling system is the most considerable, tend to flow only after heavy rains and end in lakes which are often dry with a salt-bed. Climate: The Tropic of Capricorn almost bisects the continent, running just north of Alice Springs, Australia’s central settlement. The subtropical areas north of this line have summer rainfall and dry winters. South of the Tropic, the rest of the continent and are temperate. Continental considerations affect this basic pattern, most coastal areas having some rainfall, whereas a large tract of central Australia has annual rainfall of less than 300 mm. Drought and consequent bushfires are a serious problem. This pattern of rainfall will be dramatically affected by occasional La Niña events which occur in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean causing the sea to cool and increasing the probability that strong cool onshore winds The Commonwealth of Australia is a will bring heavy rains to the eastern regions KEY FACTS Federation with six states – of Australia, as occurred from November Joined Commonwealth: 1931 (Statute of (state capital Sydney), (Melbourne), 2010, when there were devastating floods Westminster) (Brisbane), first in Queensland, then in Victoria. Population: 23,343,000 (2013) (Adelaide), (Perth) and Environment: The most significant Tasmania (Hobart) – and two territories, GDP p.c. growth: 1.8% p.a. 1990–2013 environmental issues are soil and (capital Darwin) and the UN HDI 2014: World ranking 2 desertification; loss of the natural habitat of Australian Capital Territory, where the federal many unique animal and plant species due to Official language: English capital, Canberra, is situated. Australia also increases in agricultural and industrial has external territories (described in the Time: GMT plus 8–11 hrs production; and damage to the Great Barrier profiles following this one). These have small Currency: Australian dollar (A$) Reef, the largest coral reef in the world, due populations or are uninhabited and, apart to increased shipping and tourism. from the vast Australian Antarctic Territory, Geography are small islands. Vegetation: A wide range, from the tropical jungle of Queensland to the sparse flowers of Area: 7,682,395 sq km Time: There are three time zones: western the desert, with many unique species which (GMT plus 8 hrs, and no change in summer); Coastline: 25,800 km evolved in the continent’s long geological central (GMT plus 9.5 hrs, no change in Capital: Canberra isolation. Over 700 species of eucalyptus and summer in Northern Territory, and GMT plus close to 1,000 species of acacia (wattle). The The term ‘Australia’ is derived from Terra 10.5 hrs October–March in South Australia); main fertile areas are in the south and east in Australis , the name given to a southern and north-east/south-east (GMT plus 10 hrs, New South Wales and Victoria – arable land landmass whose existence geographers and in all eastern states except Queensland, comprises six per cent of the total land area, deduced before it was discovered. Papua GMT plus 11 hrs October–March). while the north-east has tropical forest and New Guinea (to the north) and New Zealand Area: 7,682,395 sq km including the State of bush – forest covers 16 per cent of the (to the east) are Australia’s closest Tasmania and some smaller island territories. country. neighbours. To the south lie the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. It is one of 28 island Topography: Australia is the largest link in Wildlife: Many indigenous animal species are nations in the Commonwealth; the mainland the chain running between South-East Asia unique to the continent. The most distinctive of Australia is the largest island in the world. and the South Pacific. Much of central are the marsupials, of which there are 120

THE COMMONWEALTH YEARBOOK 2015 Australia

species from the kangaroo to the tiny desert languages are Italian, Greek, Cantonese, For every 1,000 people there are 443 mouse, and the monotremes, the rare order Arabic and Mandarin (2006 census). landlines, 1,068 mobile phone subscriptions of mammals which lay eggs, such as the and 830 internet users (2013). Religion: Mainly Christians (Roman Catholics duck-billed platypus and the echidna. There 26 per cent, Anglicans 19 per cent), small Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Australia are also several species of flightless birds – minorities of Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and Day (26 January), ANZAC Day (25 April), the emu, second only to the African ostrich in Jews (2006 census). Queen’s Official Birthday (Monday in early size, and the cassowary. Some 55 mammal June), Labour Day (early October in most species and 47 bird species are thought to be Health: Public spending on health was six states, otherwise in March), Christmas Day endangered (2014). per cent of GDP in 2012. Health facilities are and Boxing Day. States have additional public a responsibility of the states, although the Main towns: Canberra (capital, Australian holidays. federal government administers the Medicare Capital Territory, pop. 356,586 in 2011), insurance scheme, introduced in 1984. There Religious and other festivals whose dates vary Sydney (New South Wales, 3.9m), Melbourne are 18 medical schools in Australia (2014). from year to year include Good Friday and (Victoria, 3.7m), Brisbane (Queensland, Infant mortality was three per 1,000 live Easter Monday. 1.87m), Perth (Western Australia, 1.62m), births in 2013 (20 in 1960). Adelaide (South Australia, 1.1m), Gold Coast – Tweed Heads (Queensland, 533,659), Education: Public spending on education Economy Newcastle (New South Wales, 308,307), was 5.1 per cent of GDP in 2011. KEY FACTS 2013 Responsibility for education lies with the Hobart (Tasmania, 204,951) and Darwin GNI: US$1,524.3bn (Northern Territory, 78,467). states and education systems vary. There are 11 years of compulsory education starting at GNI p.c.: US$65,520 Transport: There are 825,500 km of roads, the age of five. The school year starts in GDP growth: 2.4% p.a. 2009–13 44 per cent paved; Australian road design is January. known for the long, straight roads in rural Inflation: 2.5% p.a. 2009–13 There are 39 universities with more than one areas. Some roads may be impassable after Australia has a high degree of prosperity, million students enrolled, 37 of which are heavy rain. based on its wealth of natural resources, public institutions (2013). The female–male Rail services link main towns across the policies of redistribution and welfare, and ratio for gross enrolment in tertiary education country and the total system extends to stable democratic society. Its economy is is 1.40:1 (2010). There is virtually no illiteracy 8,615 km. The 4,000 km Indian Pacific from among the largest in the world, ranking 19th among people aged 15–24. Sydney to Perth takes three days. The 3,000 in terms of GDP (PPP) in 2014 (IMF, April km north–south line, linking Adelaide in the In 1971 Australia hosted the Fifth 2015). Significant minerals include south with Alice Springs in the centre and Conference of Commonwealth Education aluminium, coal, copper, diamonds, gold, Darwin in the north was completed in 2003. Ministers in Canberra. Commonwealth iron, nickel, oil and gas, silver, tin, titanium, Education Ministers meet every three years uranium and zinc. Proven reserves of oil were The country has 25,800 km of coastline and to discuss issues of mutual concern and estimated in January 2014 to be 4.0 billion many deep-water harbours. interest. barrels, and of gas, 3.7 trillion cubic metres. International airports are at Sydney, Adelaide, Media: Newspapers have a high circulation Melbourne, Perth, Darwin, Brisbane, Hobart, rate throughout the country. National dailies Real growth in GDP Townsville and Cairns. are The Australian and Australian Financial % 4.0 Review . Regional newspapers include The % 3.5 Society Advertiser (Adelaide), The Age (Melbourne), KEY FACTS 2013 The Courier-Mail (Brisbane), The Daily 3.0 Telegraph (Sydney), Herald-Sun (Melbourne), 2.5 Population per sq km: 3.0 The Sydney Morning Herald and The West 2.0 g Life expectancy: 82 years Australian (Perth). 1.5 Net primary enrolment: 97% The Australian Broadcasting Corporation 1.0 Population: 23,343,000 (2013); density is (ABC) operates national and regional public one of the lowest in the world; 89 per cent radio and TV stations. The Special 0.5 0.0 of people live in urban areas and 58 per cent Broadcasting Service is the other principal 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 in urban agglomerations of more than one public broadcaster, running radio and TV million people; growth 1.4 per cent p.a. networks that broadcast in many languages. 1990–2013; birth rate 13 per 1,000 people Pay TV networks are widely used, and digital Inflation (20 in 1970); life expectancy 82 years (71 in TV is available via satellite and cable. % 3.5 1970); life expectancy in the Aboriginal Some 99 per cent of households have TV sets 3.0 population about 62 years. (2007). There are 820 personal computers 2.5 People of Asian origin comprise 8.7 per cent per 1,000 people (2012). 2.0 of the population, and Aboriginal or Torres Communications: Country code 61; internet Strait Island peoples 2.5 per cent. Some 70 domain ‘.au’. Payphones are red, green, gold 1.5 per cent of people were born in Australia or blue. Only local calls can be made from (2006 census). 1.0 red phones; green, gold and blue phones also Language: English, the official language, is have international direct dialling. Mobile 0.5 spoken at home by 78.5 per cent of the phone coverage is good in the more 0.0 population. The largest other home populous areas. 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

THE COMMONWEALTH YEARBOOK 2015

Australia

population range up to 750,000 people. prompted Australia’s gold rush with a GDP by sector (2013) Aboriginal society, though technologically consequent opening up of the interior and undeveloped, had complex cultural and more displacement of the Aboriginals. Wheat Agriculture religious forms, and some 500 languages, in farming developed, and the country rapidly 2.4% 31 basic groups. There was a rich oral became a leading exporter. With the Industry tradition of songs and stories, and many invention of refrigeration, export trade in 27.9% different styles of art. mutton and dairy products began. An Services The first known Europeans to land were extensive railway system was built. Between 69.7% Dutch. In 1606, William Jansz landed on the 1860 and 1890, immigrants, and capital, west coast of Cape York Peninsula, and mostly from Britain, contributed to a long thereafter various landings were made. The economic boom. In 1891, the country had a The economy relied mainly on agriculture and Dutch named this land New Holland, but population of three million, and was mining until manufacturing boomed after showed no interest in further exploration. exporting wool, mutton, dairy products and World War II. Service industries have since led wheat. growth, rising from about 60 per cent of In April 1770, Captain James Cook in HMS The colonies, all of which had Westminster- GDP in the 1960s to about 70 per cent in the Endeavour with the botanist Sir Joseph Banks 2000s. landed in Botany Bay (in what is now New style representative institutions by 1890, South Wales) and claimed the east coast for became one nation on 1 January 1901. The However, the economy remained vulnerable the English Crown. Having just lost the Commonwealth of Australia, with a federal to variations in agricultural output and American colonies, England needed new structure, was established. By the time of fluctuations in world commodity prices. There penal colonies, and the first shipload of World War I, Australian politics emphasised has been a high level of foreign investment Australian settlers were convicts, arriving with social policy, industrial development, and resulting in a serious current account deficit Governor Arthur Phillip in 1788. They moved protectionism to cushion local industries and as interest and dividends leave the country; to Port Jackson (now part of Sydney Harbour) maintain full employment. The development domestic investment has been relatively low. on 26 January, now Australia Day. However, of the steel industry after 1915, and From the 1980s major economic reforms even before transportation to New South advances in mining, assisted development, so were introduced, including liberalisation of Wales was abolished in 1840, free settlers that by 1939, industry was responsible for 40 trade and foreign investment, deregulation of were arriving in increasing numbers. Further per cent of GDP. Sophisticated industries such the financial system and markets, exploration, often dangerous, revealed that as car manufacture developed in the 1950s. privatisation of public enterprises and the land known as New Holland and the By the latter 1980s, Australians enjoyed one government services, and decentralisation of English colony were one and the same large of the world’s highest living standards. wage settlements. island. Australia was a founder member of the During the 2000s the economy grew well, In 1831, Western Australia became the Commonwealth in 1931 when its averaging three to four per cent p.a. until the second colony, followed by South Australia in independence was recognised under the last quarter of 2008 due to the global 1836, Victoria in 1851, Tasmania in 1856, Statute of Westminster. economic downturn and consequent falls in and Queensland in 1859. The Northern Australia’s political party system traditionally commodity prices. With slower growth of 1.7 Territory was, for some time, part of South consisted of the Liberal Party, National Party per cent in 2009, unemployment rose, after Australia and later the responsibility of the (originally known as the Country Party) and reaching its lowest level since the 1970s in federal government, achieving self- Labor Party (ALP). The Liberal and National early 2008 (4.0 per cent), but the economy government in 1978. parties were frequently in coalition. A new was stronger from 2010, growing by 3.7 per The settler population in early years lived party, the Australian Democrats, was formed cent in 2012 and 2.5 per cent in 2013, and mostly in coastal areas, deploying large tracts in the 1970s as a breakaway group from the an estimated 2.8 per cent in 2014. of land for sheep and cattle. The annexation Liberal–National coalition. The Liberal– of land was often accompanied by brutal National coalition was in office from 1949 History treatment of the Aboriginal population, who until 1972, and again from 1975 to 1983, were forced into the interior. Gold was first under Malcolm Fraser. The Labor Party, under Fifty million years ago the Australian discovered in Victoria in the 1850s and Bob Hawke and then Paul Keating, was in continent broke away from the great southern landmass of Gondwanaland, which comprised South America, Africa, India, Australia on the international stage Australia and Antarctica. Apart from a period during the last Ice Age when the sea level Of the many internationally acclaimed Australian writers, 11 have won overall was 100 metres lower than it is today, Commonwealth Writers’ Prizes, eight for Best Book and three for Best First Book. Australian authors have won the Man Booker Prize five times, with Richard Flanagan’s The Narrow Australia existed in isolation. This resulted in Road to the Deep North taking the prize in 2014. the evolution of vegetation and wildlife which is substantially unique. Swimmer Ian Thorpe has five Olympic gold medals and nine Commonwealth Games gold medals, while Australia has the best performing team in the world overall in the history of It was thought that the Aboriginal population Test cricket. may have lived in Australia for 50,000 years. However, recent evidence from the Kimberley In the world of entertainment, Australia can lay claim to the Oscar-award-winning actors region of Western Australia suggests much Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, New Zealand-born Russell Crowe, Heath Ledger, Peter Finch older human habitation. When European and Geoffrey Rush. On the musical front, Kylie Minogue, INXS, Midnight Oil, Men at Work explorers arrived, the Aboriginal peoples lived and Olivia Newton-John have all won international acclaim. by hunting and gathering and using stone Australia has hosted CHOGM three times: in 1981, 2002 and 2011. tools. Estimates of the historical size of the

THE COMMONWEALTH YEARBOOK 2015 Australia

office from 1983 to 1996, when the Liberal– significant shift in domestic and foreign policy National coalition led by John Howard Politics by ratifying the Kyoto Protocol on climate Last elections: 7 September 2013 returned to power. Howard’s conservative change. coalition’s majority was reduced in an early Next elections: September 2016 In September 2008, Quentin Bryce was general election in October 1998, in the face Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, sworn in as Australia’s 25th Governor- of a strong showing by the Labor Party led by represented by Governor-General, Sir Peter General; she was the first woman to hold the Kim Beazley. Cosgrove (2014–) post. In February 1998, the Constitutional Head of government: Prime Minister In June 2010, after a dramatic fall in the Convention voted by 89 votes to 52 for Malcolm Turnbull popularity of Prime Minister Rudd, Deputy Australia to become a republic by 2001, and Ruling party: Liberal–National coalition Prime Minister Julia Gillard successfully by 73 votes to 57 to replace the British Women MPs: 26% challenged Rudd for the Labor Party monarch with a President. It was agreed that leadership and became Prime Minister, the there would be a referendum on the issue. Prime Minister John Howard’s Liberal– first woman to hold the post. National coalition was comfortably returned Despite evidence from opinion polls that for a third consecutive term in November In the early general election in August 2010 most Australians were in favour of a republic, 2001, winning 81 seats (Liberal Party 68, neither Labor (winning 72 out of 150 seats in in the referendum of November 1999 – when National Party 13) to Labor Party’s 65. In an the lower house) nor the Liberal–National asked if they supported ‘an act to alter the election dominated by the issue of Asian coalition led by Tony Abbott (73 seats) was constitution to establish the Commonwealth immigration, the government’s firm action in able to secure a parliamentary majority. The of Australia as a republic, with the Queen August 2001 of denying a ship-load of remaining seats were won by the Green Party and Governor-General being replaced by a Afghan asylum seekers entry into the country (one) and independents (four). After several President appointed by a two-thirds majority seemed to have proved decisive. weeks of negotiations with these members, of the members of the Commonwealth Gillard was successful in winning the support Parliament’ – almost 55 per cent registered a The October 2004 election which had been of the Green Party member and three of the ‘No’ vote. The result was widely attributed to thought too close to predict was again won independents, giving the Labor party a widespread dissatisfaction about the right of comfortably by the Liberal–National coalition narrow overall majority. parliamentarians to choose a President. and Howard was returned to government, winning 85 seats (Liberal Party 73, National In June 2013, when polls suggested the Party 12) while the Labor Party took 57. Labor Party would lose the election due in Constitution Kevin Rudd became the Labor Party leader in September, Rudd ousted Gillard in a Labor Status: Monarchy under Queen Elizabeth II December 2006. Party leadership election (57:45). On 27 June Legislature: Parliament of Australia he was sworn in as Prime Minister. In the fiercely fought contest, in November Under the Australian constitution, the legislative 2007, the Labor Party took 84 seats, the The Labor government was ousted in the power of the Commonwealth of Australia is Liberal–National coalition 64 and federal election of 7 September 2013. The vested in the Parliament of the independent candidates two; Rudd became Liberal–National coalition led by Tony Abbott Commonwealth, which consists of the Prime Minister and immediately signalled a secured 90 seats and the Labor Party 55. The monarch, the Senate (the upper house) and the House of Representatives (the lower house). Queen Elizabeth II is represented by a Further information Governor-General who holds the office for a Australian, state, territory and local five-year term. The Senate comprises 76 governments: www.gov.au senators, 12 from each of the six states, and Australian Electoral Commission: www.aec.gov.au two from each of the two territories. Senators Parliament of Australia: www.aph.gov.au are directly elected for six years; half the Senate Australian Bureau of Statistics: www.abs.gov.au retires every three years. The House of Reserve Bank of Australia: www.rba.gov.au Representatives comprises 150 members Tourism Australia: www.australia.com directly elected; elections – using the Commonwealth Secretariat: www.thecommonwealth.org Commonwealth of Nations: www.commonwealthofnations.org/ preferential voting system – for both houses are country/Australia held simultaneously at a maximum of three- Media year intervals. There is compulsory universal Financial Review : www.afr.com suffrage for all Australians over the age of 18. Herald Sun : www.heraldsun.com.au All amendments to the constitution must be The Advertiser : www.adelaidenow.com.au passed by absolute majority in both houses. The Age : www.theage.com.au There must then be a referendum in every The Australian : www.theaustralian.news.com.au state. The Courier-Mail : www.couriermail.com.au Each of the states also has its own The Daily Telegraph : www.dailytelegraph.com.au government, with a Governor representing the The Sydney Morning Herald : www.smh.com.au Queen. Five states have bi-cameral legislatures, The West Australian : au.news.yahoo.com/thewest ABC: www.abc.net.au and Queensland has a single chamber. The ABC News 24: www.abc.net.au/news/abcnews24/ federal government is responsible for Special Broadcasting Service: www.sbs.com.au administration of the Australian Federal Radio Australia: www.radioaustralia.net.au Territory and, since 1978, Northern Territory Australian Associated Press: aap.com.au has had a degree of self-government.

THE COMMONWEALTH YEARBOOK 2015 Australia

remaining seats were won by the Green Party Community, Pacific Islands Forum, United although flying is the most common way of (one), Katter’s Australian Party (one), Palmer Nations and World Trade Organization. travelling around the country. Rail travel is slow United Party (one) and independents (two). and expensive. There is a twice-weekly train Liberal Party leader Tony Abbott was sworn in service that travels from Sydney to Perth and as Prime Minister. Traveller information takes three days. Another service links Adelaide Immigration and customs: Visas are with Perth and runs weekly in each direction; On 28 March 2014, former Chief of the required by all Commonwealth nationals. the journey time is two nights. Reservations are Australian Defence Force, Sir Peter Cosgrove, Visitors must declare all food, plant material essential on all long-distance train services. was sworn in as Australia’s 26th Governor- and animal products on arrival in Australia to General. ensure they are free of pests and diseases; Urban transport services are good and there Malcolm Turnbull replaced Tony Abbott as any items that pose pest and disease risks will are suburban rail networks in the state Prime Minister on 15 September 2015, after be destroyed. capitals; Melbourne and Adelaide also have tram systems. Taxis are widely available and defeating him in a Liberal Party leadership Travel within the country: Driving is on the are metered. election (54:44) the previous evening. left. Visitors may drive on a national licence for a maximum of three months, although an Travel health: Prevalent diseases where International relations international driving permit is needed by all appropriate precautionary measures are those whose official language is not English. recommended include dengue fever Australia is a member of Asia –Pacific Drink-driving is illegal and the wearing of seat (Queensland), Japanese encephalitis and Ross Economic Cooperation, Indian Ocean Rim belts is mandatory. River virus (Western Australia). Association, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Pacific There are good cross-country coach services, There were 6,381,000 tourist arrivals in 2013.

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THE COMMONWEALTH YEARBOOK 2015 Australia: External territories

The external territories of Australia are: Australian Antarctic Territory; Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Heard Island and the McDonald Islands (Indian Ocean); Coral Sea Islands Territory, Norfolk Island (Pacific Ocean).

Topography: The icy landscapes of central plateau, temperatures drop to minus Australian Antarctic Antarctica, offering sweeping distant views, 80°C. Local (‘katabatic’) winds of incredible are of outstanding scenic beauty. The ferocity develop on the plateau and sweep Territory (AAT) continent is the highest landmass in the towards the coast. Around the French sector of Geography world, thanks to its high ice cover, averaging Terre Adélie, full gales blow for 200 days a The AAT consists of all islands and territories over 2,000 metres. A broad mountain year. Precipitation is surprisingly light, with south of latitude 60°S and between (the Transantarctic Mountains) stretches into annual snowfall at 60 mm of water equivalent longitudes 45° and 160°E except for the the AAT; the terrain is also high in Enderby on the central plateau and 1.5 metres on the French sector of Terre Adélie, which Land and around the ice-packed bay of the coastal belt. Within the Antarctic Circle, there comprises the islands and territories south of Amery Ice Shelf, with Mt Menzies rising to are days of complete darkness during the 3,355 metres. The land area is fringed by a 60°S latitude and between longitudes 136° Antarctic winter and conversely of midnight wide belt of ice up to hundreds of kilometres and 142°E. The AAT is the single largest sun during the summer. wide. Around the coast, icebergs continually sector of the continent and covers much of ‘calve’ (break off) the glaciers into the sea. Vegetation: Plant life is primitive and sparse, east Antarctica. Over 95 per cent of the continent is but lichens and mosses can survive where the Time: GMT plus 4.5–10 hrs, depending on permanently covered in ice. harsh climate permits it. longitude Climate: Antarctic, with severe wind chill Wildlife: Plankton and krill (shrimp-like Area: 5,800,000 sq km increasing the harshness of the climate. On the creatures) abound in the rich Antarctic

THE COMMONWEALTH YEARBOOK 2015 Australia: External territories

waters, supporting the marine food chain. (named after a former Governor-General of amended in 1938 to make them part of the The glaciers add nutrient minerals as they Australia, Lord Casey) in 1969. An earlier Northern Territory. In July 1978, when the melt, diluting the saltiness of the sea and station, Wilkes, was made inoperable by Northern Territory was given self-government, enabling marine life to thrive. Various species snow and ice inundation, and closed. the Ashmores and Cartier came under the of penguins are found: Adélie and emperor administration of the government of the Administration penguins are especially resilient to the cold. Commonwealth of Australia. Female emperor penguins settle their egg on The territory is administered by the Australian Administration the feet of the male parent because nesting Antarctic Division on behalf of the Minister on the ice is impossible. Other birdlife for the Environment and Heritage. Australia is Administration is the responsibility of the includes the Antarctic petrel and the South a party to the Antarctic Treaty. A Protocol on Department of Transport and Regional Polar skua, which breed exclusively on the Environmental Protection was added to the Services, at Canberra. continent. Whales, porpoises and seals visit Antarctic Treaty in 1991, making Antarctica a Antarctic waters; the fur seal breeds furthest natural reserve, devoted to peace and Christmas Island south. Huskies, imported to haul sledges and science. Geography latterly for companionship, are now banned as a non-indigenous species. Christmas Island lies in the Indian Ocean, Ashmore and Cartier south of Java and 2,600 km north-west of Society Islands Perth. Population: There are three stations The Ashmore and Cartier Islands lie on the Area: Approx. 135 sq km (Mawson, Davis and Casey), plus various outer edge of the Australian continental shelf Topography: The island consists of a central summer bases and temporary field camps. in the Indian Ocean, midway between north- plateau rising to 250 metres in the east and There is a temporary population of scientists, western Australia and Timor and some 850 150 metres in the west, with several high ranging from about 70 in winter to 200 in km to 790 km west of Darwin. The Ashmores points 360 metres above sea level. Much of summer. consist of three islands: Middle, East and the coast consists of sheer cliffs that rise 10– West Islands. Economy 20 metres above the sea, with a few small There is no economic activity, and mining is Geography sandy beaches. The main anchorage is at not permitted. All activity relating to mineral Area: Ashmore Islands: 93 hectares (0.93 sq Flying Fish Cove. The ground is porous but resources, other than strictly for scientific km); Cartier Islands: 0.4 hectares (0.004 sq there is ample fresh water from springs. research, is also prohibited. Additionally, km). Climate: Tropical. South-easterly winds May– Australian nationals are prohibited from December; the wet season is December–April mining elsewhere in Antarctica. Topography: The islands are small and low- when the north-west monsoon blows. Average Environmental protection is a priority. lying, rising to a maximum of 2.5 metres rainfall is about 2,000 mm p.a., and humidity Scientific activities are concerned with global above sea level. They are formed of coral and averages 80–90 per cent. climate change and with studies of the sand, and are surrounded by shoals and Antarctic ecosystem. These studies include reefs. Vegetation: Tropical rainforest covers much land and marine biology, cosmic-ray physics, Vegetation: Grass and scrub. of the island; some 60 per cent of forest is in upper atmosphere physics, meteorology, the National Park. There are 16 endemic Wildlife: The Ashmore Reef islands abound earth sciences and glaciology. Regular flights plant species. in birdlife. Bêche-de-mer (sea cucumbers) are between Hobart, Australia, and the territory abundant; so are turtles at certain times of Wildlife: Most of the animal species are were introduced in the summer of 2007/08, the year. endemic. The Abbott’s booby and Christmas following completion in December 2007 of a Island frigate bird are endangered. new runway at the Wilkins Aerodrome, Society Main settlement: Flying Fish Cove situated 75 km from Casey. Population: There are no permanent History residents. Transport/Communications: There are 140 km of roads, of which 30 km are paved. A Sealing vessels from a number of countries, Economy ship operates between Singapore, Perth, notably Britain but also including Australia, Indonesian fishermen are permitted to fish in Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands, visited the Antarctic waters during the 19th some of the territory’s waters. During the and an air service from Perth to Christmas century. From the early 20th century serious fishing season (March–November) Australian Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands, with extra exploration took off, and Douglas Mawson observers, stationed on a vessel at Ashmore flights to allow students to come home for reached the magnetic South Pole in 1909. Reef, monitor activities. The Jabiru and Challis holidays. The international dialling code is 61. Various territorial claims were later made and oilfields lie within the adjacent area of the the AAT was transferred to Australian territory. In 1983 Ashmore Reef was made a Society authority in 1933 by the British government national nature reserve. It is visited regularly Population: 2,200 (2013); population through an imperial order in council. The by officers of the National Parks and Wildlife density 16 per sq km; mostly of Chinese Australian Antarctic Territory Acceptance Act Service. descent (70 per cent in 2001), with European was passed in the same year, and in 1936 the and Malay minorities. There is no indigenous History Governor-General put the order into force by population. proclamation. Mawson Station (named after The Ashmores became a British possession in Language: English is the official language; the explorer) was set up in February 1954 by 1878; Cartier Island in 1909. The islands were Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay are most the Australian National Antarctic Research put under Australian authority in July 1931, commonly spoken at home. Expeditions. Davis Station (named after by an imperial order in council, and accepted Mawson’s second-in-command, Captain John by Australia in 1933 under the Ashmore and Religion: Buddhists 30 per cent, Muslims, King Davis) was set up in 1957; Casey Station Cartier Islands Acceptance Act, which was Christians (2006).

THE COMMONWEALTH YEARBOOK 2015 Australia: External territories

Health: Christmas Island has a modern Administration Tropical reef fish are exported, and the islands hospital with a fully equipped operating offer specialist diving and fishing holidays and Christmas Island is an Australian territory, the theatre. eco-tourism. administration of which is the responsibility of Education: Free and compulsory from age six the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, History to 15. The Christmas Island District High Regional Development and Local Government The islands were all uninhabited in 1609 School follows the Western Australia at Canberra. An administrator is appointed by when Captain William Keeling (East India curriculum. It caters for children from the Governor-General of Australia. Local Company) visited them. In 1826 John kindergarten to secondary school level. After government services are provided by the Clunies-Ross (joined a year later by Alexander Year 10, students attend schools on the Shire of Christmas Island, which is responsible Hare) started to set up various small mainland. to a council of nine elected representatives. settlements on the main atoll and established Media: The Islander is a fortnightly the copra industry, bringing in Chinese, newsletter published by the Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands Malay and African workers. Annexed by Christmas Island. Britain in 1857, the islands were placed under Geography the Governors of Ceylon in 1878; in 1886 Radio VLU2, a community station, broadcasts The territory lies in the Indian Ocean, 2,768 they became part of the Straits Settlements. in English, Malay and Mandarin. Mainland km north-west of Perth. It consists of two Later they were part of the Colony of Australian radio and TV stations are received atolls made up of 27 small coral islands. Only Singapore. In 1955 they were transferred to via satellite. two of them – West and Home – are Australian sovereignty; in April 1984 the Economy inhabited. The largest island, West Island, is inhabitants voted by referendum (observed by about 16 km by 0.5 km in area. North Keeling Mining and exporting some 600,000 tonnes UN observers) for integration with Australia, Island lies 24 km north of the main lagoon. p.a. of phosphate to South-East Asia and the and became Australian citizens. In 1978 the Australian mainland is the main and stable Area: 14 sq km government bought the greater part of the land owned by the Clunies-Ross family under economic activity. The mining company is 40 Topography: The islands are flat and low- a grant in perpetuity made in 1886; the rest per cent-owned by Christmas Islanders. It lying. The northern part of the main atoll, of the family’s property, which was on Home pays royalties, based on exports, to the which surrounds a lagoon, has anchorage, Island, was bought in 1993. Commonwealth of Australia, and these are but navigation is difficult. used for rehabilitation of the mined areas. Administration Climate: Generally equable (temperatures 22– Environmental controls are in force, and 32°C), with south-east trade winds for much of The territory is managed by an administrator rainforest clearing is prohibited. the year and occasional violent storms. Rainfall (appointed by Australia’s Governor-General), The island also offers specialist diving and is high, averaging 2,000 mm a year. who is responsible to the Minister for fishing holidays and eco-tourism. Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Vegetation: The main atoll has extensive Development and Local Government. The History vegetation and coconut palms. Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council is Britain annexed Christmas Island (then Wildlife: Birdlife is abundant, with both sea responsible for local government. The uninhabited) in 1888. A 99-year lease was birds (terns, gannets and petrels) and land territory is part of the Northern Territory taken out in 1891 by John Murray and birds which have reached the islands from electoral district; like all Australian citizens, George Ross, who transferred it to the Indonesia. the residents vote in parliamentary elections. Christmas Island Phosphate Company in Transport/Communications: A ship sails 1897. In 1900 Christmas Island was from Singapore and Perth, Australia, every incorporated into the Straits Settlements and Coral Sea Islands Territory few weeks. The airport is on West Island and became subject to the laws of Singapore. It there are regular flights from Perth. The (CSIT) was occupied by the Japanese army from international dialling code is 61. The CSIT lies east of Queensland. It consists March 1942 until August 1945. In 1947 the of all the islands between the Great Barrier Straits Settlements ceased to exist, and Society Reef and longitude 156°E, between latitudes Singapore, together with Cocos (Keeling) Population: 570 (2013); population density 12° and 24°S. Islands and Christmas Island, became the 41 per sq km; comprising mainly of people of Geography Colony of Singapore. From 1 January to 30 Australian (largely on West Island) and September 1958, Christmas Island was a Malayan (Home Island) descent. Land and sea area: About 780,000 sq km. British Crown colony. Subsequently, it Language: English and Cocos Malay. Topography: The islands are small, formed became an Australian territory, administered mostly of coral and sand. There is no initially by the Minister for External Religion: Muslims 75 per cent (2006 census). permanent supply of fresh water on any of Territories. Education: Free and compulsory from age six them. Under the Migration Act of 1981, Christmas to 15. There is one primary school from Climate: Tropical; occasional cyclones. Island residents were entitled to become kindergarten to Year 6 and one secondary residents and citizens of Australia. In 1984 from Years 7 to 12. Vegetation: Grass and shrubs grow on some of the islands. the benefits of Australian social security, Media: Mainland Australian TV and radio enfranchisement, health and education were programmes are relayed to the islands. Wildlife: Lihou Reef and Coringa-Herald are extended to them; and progressively from national nature reserves for the protection of 1985 to 1989, they became liable for income Economy wildlife. Dermochelys coriacea , the world’s and other taxes. A proposal to secede from There is local fishing and domestic cultivation largest and most endangered species of sea- Australia was rejected in an unofficial of vegetables, bananas and pawpaws, but turtle, nests in the territory, as well as five referendum held in 1994. the islands are not self-sufficient in food. other species of sea-turtle. There are more

THE COMMONWEALTH YEARBOOK 2015 Australia: External territories

than 24 species of bird, many of which are Society forms part of the national park. The Norfolk protected under agreements with Japan and Island pine remains a notable feature. There No permanent inhabitants. Occasional visits China. Herbaria and museums in Australia is a wide variety of native and introduced by scientists for research. contain many specimens of CSIT flora and plants. fauna. Economy Wildlife: There is abundant birdlife, geckos, There is no economic activity. Zoological and Society bats and turtles. The Norfolk green parrot, geological expeditions are made to Heard Uninhabited, except for a meteorological guavabird and boobook are unique to the Island from time to time. In 1985, research station with a small staff on Willis Island. territory. was conducted into the coastal zone’s Economy maritime resources and there have been a Main town: Kingston There is no economic activity. There are small number of expeditions since then. In Transport/Communications: There is about automatic weather stations on Cato Island, 1991, international research on global 80 km of road, 53 km sealed. There are ship Flinders Reef, Frederick Reef, Holmes Reef, warming was undertaken at Heard Island, services from Australia and New Zealand which has direct paths to the world’s five Lihou Reef, Creal Reef, Marion Reef and every few weeks, and regular air services principal oceans. Gannet Cay, relaying data to the mainland. from Brisbane and Sydney in Australia and Navigational aids are located on many of the History Auckland, New Zealand. The international dialling code is 672. islands and reefs. Heard Island was first sighted in 1833 and History named in 1855 after an American captain. Society After 1855 the island’s elephant seals and Until 1921, when the meteorological station Population: 1,750 (2013); population penguins were exploited for their oil. The was set up on Willis Island, the CSIT was density 51 per sq km; consists of islanders territory was transferred by the UK to totally uninhabited. Navigation in the territory (that is, Pitcairn/Bounty descendants) and Australian control in 1947. Between 1947 is extremely difficult, and there were frequent mainlanders (originally from Australia, New and 1955, a research station was maintained shipwrecks during the 19th century. Many of Zealand and the UK). The right of residence on Heard Island, to conduct various scientific the islands and reefs are named after ships on Norfolk Island is strictly controlled. and meteorological investigations. The station wrecked on them. Since 1859, expeditions of was closed after 1954, when Mawson station Language: English and Norfuk, a Creole botanists and zoologists have visited the was established on the Antarctic mainland. which – like Pitkern (the language of the territory. Pitcairn Islanders) – is based on 18th century The McDonald Islands were first visited in English and Tahitian. Administration 1971 by an Australian National Antarctic Under the Coral Sea Islands Act of 1969, the Research Expedition. In December 1997 the Religion: Mainly Christians (Anglicans 32 per Coral Sea Islands are an Australian territory territory was inscribed on the World Heritage cent, 2006 census). administered by the Minister for List. Education: Free and compulsory between Infrastructure, Transport, Regional age six and 15. There is a school – Norfolk Development and Local Government. The Administration Island Central School – under the authority of Governor-General of Australia can make The islands are administered by the Australian the New South Wales Education Department, ordinances relating to peace, order and the Antarctic Division on behalf of the Minister taking pupils from kindergarten to Higher good government of the territory. for the Environment and Heritage. The Environment Protection and Management School Certificate level (Year 12). In 1997 Ordinance (January 1988) set up a framework there were 318 pupils. Some bursaries are Heard Island and the for sustained conservation. A management available, and there are some scholarships for plan under the ordinance came into force in vocational training outside the island. McDonald Islands 1996. Greenwich University, a private distance- Heard Island (about 43 km by 20 km) is the learning enterprise, opened in Norfolk Island biggest of a group of islands in the South in 1999. Indian Ocean about 4,100 km south-west of Norfolk Island Media: There are two weeklies: the Fremantle. The McDonald Islands are 43 km Geography west of Heard Island. independent Norfolk Islander and the official Norfolk Island lies in the South Pacific, about Norfolk Island Government Gazette . Geography 1,676 km east of Sydney. The territory The administration runs a local radio service Topography: Heard Island is dominated by includes the uninhabited islands of Phillip and (VL2NI – Norfolk Island Radio) and the Big Ben, the only active volcano on Australian Nepean (7 km and 1 km south of the main television service is privately owned (TVN). territory (2,745 metres). The McDonald island). Television programmes are relayed via the Islands are small, steep and rocky. Area: 34.5 sq km AUSSAT satellite. Climate: Sub-Antarctic. Topography: Norfolk Island is steep and Economy rocky, with sheer cliffs rising out of the sea; Vegetation: Heard Island is regarded as one Norfolk Island is a self-governing territory and of the last Antarctic habitats remaining free access is impossible, except at Kingston on the south side and at Cascade in the north. exercises control over most of its economic of introduced organisms, and is of activities and developments. The main considerable scientific interest. Vegetation is Climate: Subtropical, with sea-breezes; economic activity is tourism. The territory sparse, but cushion plants, tussock grass, equable. Average rainfall: 1,350 mm a year. offers the attractions of remoteness, mosses and lichens can survive. Vegetation: Most of the island has been conservation sites and the poignant remains Wildlife: Visited by elephant seals, leopard cleared for crops or pasture, but a national of the old penal settlement. There are some seals and penguins. Petrels, albatrosses and park was established in 1985–86 to protect 20,000 visitors each year, having fallen from skuas breed on Heard Island. the remaining native forest. Phillip Island some 40,000 p.a. before the world economic

THE COMMONWEALTH YEARBOOK 2015 Australia: External territories

downturn of 2008–09. External revenue is History Administration also gained through philatelic sales. No The island was uninhabited in 1774, when Initially, Norfolk Island was a separate income tax is payable on income earned Captain James Cook visited it and was settlement but became a dependency of New within the island. impressed by the commercial potential of the South Wales in 1897 and was finally transferred There is agriculture for domestic native pines for ship’s masts. In the periods to Australian administration in 1913. consumption. The soil is fertile and there is 1788 to 1814, and 1825 to 1855, the island There is an administrator, appointed by the also some commercial cultivation of plants was a penal settlement of notable severity. In Governor-General of Australia and and flowers. A programme to increase 1855 the penal settlement was closed and planting of Norfolk Island pine and to the following year 194 people living on responsible to the Minister for Infrastructure, introduce eucalyptus trees has been Pitcairn Island, which had become Transport, Regional Development and Local established. Seed and seedlings of the overpopulated, accepted an invitation from Government. A Legislative Assembly with Norfolk Island pine are exported. There is also Queen Victoria to transfer to Norfolk Island. nine members elected for three years, fishing for local consumption. Fish are However, two small parties returned to established in 1979, has internal self- plentiful, but so far efforts to establish a Pitcairn. These Pitcairn Islanders were governing powers. An executive council is commercial industry have been hampered by descended from the mutineers from The made up of members of the assembly who the lack of a sheltered harbour. There is the Bounty who had sailed from Tahiti to Pitcairn have ministerial-type responsibility. Proposed potential for exploitable offshore hydrocarbon Island in 1790 together with their Tahitian laws passed by the assembly go to the deposits. wives. administrator for consent (or otherwise).

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THE COMMONWEALTH YEARBOOK 2015