Australia’s political system - a monarchy with federal system with many parliaments, two main political parties – Liberal (conservatives) and Labor (3; 43). The Liberal Party and National Party work together and form coalition called the Liberal National Coalition. There are smaller parties including Australian Democrats, Green Party. The national Government in Canberra (see Appendix No 1) is presently held by the Liberal National Coalition. Australia has 6 parliaments and 2 territories which have their own assemblies. Labor Government is in office in all the state and territory parliaments for the first time in Australian history. This acts as a counter balance to the conservative anti – union government in office in the national parliament (f).
In Australia there is carefully planned and executed social security system (paid medical care; unemployment benefits; tax benefits; pension benefits, i.e., superannuation scheme). Trade unions have worked in Australia since 1860th.
The Australian economy recorded economic growth of 4.1% in year 2001. As the other countries also Australia has problems of inflation, unemployment combined with the high rate of marital break – up and children born to a single parent. The other major economic problem Australian has is its long term current account deficit. The country has growing export trade in manufactured products; semi – processed mineral products; rural products; although the value of imported manufactures is much greater. Also tourism is a significant contributor to the countries economy (f).…
