Australian Government and Economy SS6CG4 Explain forms of citizen participation in government SS6E10 Analyze different economic systems. SS6E11 Give examples of how voluntary trade benefits buyers and sellers in Australia SS6E12 Describe factors that influence economic growth and examine their presence or absence in Australia.

Australian Government SS6CG4 Explain forms of citizen participation in government

Australian Government Because it was a colony of the United Kingdom, it’s government closely resembles that of the UK Australia is Parliamentary Democracy. The people vote in members of parliament (MPs) at all levels including provincial/territorial (like states) and nationally. The Parliament then votes in the Prime Minister of the leading political party. Head of Government = The Prime Minister Head of State = Queen Elizabeth and has a representative called The Governor-General who acts on her behalf.

Comparisons between UK and Australia United Kingdom Australia Government Parliamentary Democracy Head of State Queen Elizabeth II Head of Government Prime Minster – Teresa May Prime Minster – Malcolm Turnbull Citizens’ Participation They elect the Parliament, who in turn elect the PM Governor – General Represents and acts on the Queen’s behalf. Peter Cosgrove Upper House House of Commons Senate Lower House House of Lords House of Representatives

The Commonwealth The word commonwealth means “ the common wealth/health of all” Australia incorporated this term into her official title “The Commonwealth of Australia”. This refers to Australia’s 7 territories/states and how they all need each other. Australia is also part of the Commonwealth of Nations This is made up of 52 countries, where 16 are from previous territories of the British Empire and hold the Queen as Head of State.

Commonwealth of Nations Members of the Commonwealth shaded according to their political status. Commonwealth realms are shown in blue, republics in pink, and members with their own monarchy are displayed in green

Australian Economy SS6E10 Analyze different economic systems. SS6E11 Give examples of how voluntary trade benefits buyers and sellers in Australia SS6E12 Describe factors that influence economic growth and examine their presence or absence in Australia.

Australia’s Economy Three Economic Questions: Economic Continuum 1. What should the nation produce/provide? 2. How should the nation produce/provide? 3. For whom should the nation produce/provide? Economic Continuum Australia is a mixed economy that is more on the Market side.

Government deregulation Government deregulation - reduction of government oversight and/or influence in a given sector of the economy This reduction has helped make Australia very strong. Australia’s government strongly protects business and property rights. Australia service industries Technologies Exports mining agricultural

Australia’s Trade Trade between nations: voluntary (i.e., not coerced through military threats or economic sanctions) Mutually beneficial. Economic Specialization: products/services which can be made fastest, cheapest, and in great abundance. Australia specializes in mineral extraction and processing.

Trade Barriers Three major trade barriers Tariffs place a tax on imported good. Quotas place a limit on imported goods. Embargoes block all trade with another nation. Australia currently has regional embargoes North Korea over how Korea treats nation’s human rights abuses. A boycott is exercised by citizens even when there is no official embargo at the national level.

Australia’s Currency Even though Australia shares a lot with Great Britain, Australia has its own currency. $1 Australia Dollar = $0.78 American Dollar

Quality of Life In order for a region to sustain high-quality, well- paying, in-demand jobs, its labor force must be literate. Low literacy rates typically correlate to lower standards of living; however, high literacy rates do not always translate to higher standards of living. In the case of Australia, with its 99% overall literacy rate, the standard of living for the vast majority of Australians is very high.