Australia
Australia's economy is dominated by a strong services sector, yet the agricultural and mining sectors account for the majority of exports because of Australia's resource wealth and small domestic market. Australia's economy is on par with the four dominant West European economies with a per capita GDP of approximately $37,000 (2010 est.). Over the last two decades, reforms, low inflation, a housing market boom, and growing ties with China have been key factors in Australia’s impressive economic expansion. During the financial crisis the economy fared relatively well, escaping serious economic harm because of government stimulus, continued demand from China, and the strong health of Australia's banking sector. In 2010, the government will focus on raising Australia's economic productivity, managing the economic relationship with China, passing emissions trading legislation, and dealing with other climate-related issues such as drought and bushfires.
Population: 22.2 Million (2010 est.)
Per capita GDP: $36,918 (2010 est.)
Capital: Canberra
Language: English
Governor General: Quentin Bryce
Prime Minister: Kevin Rudd
Related Links
U.S. State Department
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2698.htm
CIA World Fact Book
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/as.html
United States Diplomatic Mission to Canberra, Australia
http://canberra.usembassy.gov/
Australian Embassy in Washington D.C.
http://www.usa.embassy.gov.au/
Australian News
http://www.news.com.au/
Australian Department of Energy, Resources and Tourism
http://www.ret.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
Australian Exporters
http://www.australianexporters.net/
Doing Business in Australia
http://www.buyusa.gov/australia/en/dbia.html
Australian Government Business Resources
http://www.business.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
USA-Australia Industrial Supply and Trade
http://www.foreigntradeexchange.com/countries/australia.html
American Chamber of Commerce in Australia
http://www.amcham.com.au/vpLink.aspx?ID=1
Key Individuals
Kim Beazley: Ambassador to the United States
http://www.usa.embassy.gov.au/whwh/AmbBio.html
Jeffrey L. Bleich: U.S. Ambassador to Australia
http://canberra.usembassy.gov/biography4.html
Government
The form of government used in Australia is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. The bicameral Commonwealth Parliament consists of the Senate (the upper house) with 76 members, and a House of Representatives (the lower house) of 150 members. Members of the lower house are elected from single-member constituencies, commonly known as “electorates” or “seats”, allocated to states on the basis of population, with each original state guaranteed a minimum of five seats. In the Senate, each state is represented by twelve senators and each of the territories (the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory) by two. Elections for both chambers are normally held every three years, simultaneously; senators have overlapping six-year terms. Although the Prime Minister is appointed by the Governor General, in practice the party with majority support in the House of Representatives forms government and its leader becomes prime minister.
Sources: Wikipedia, U.S. State Department, CIA Factbook
