recent australian government economic policies

recent australian government economic policies
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NDIVIDUAL POLICIES
1) Freedom from internal control 5.0
Citizens of Australia often feel strongly about the government's movements and decisions. As said they are free to accuse, compliment and express the way they think the government is operating. Newspapers commonly publish editorials, and letters from the public on current issues. There is no punishment for this, and no fear of consequences seeing as how there usually are none. The Australian government encourages freedom and supports many activities that its citizens take part in. The Australian Prime Minister is said to be an avid cricket fan and attends the odd test match. Business entrepreneurship and foreign investment is also highly encouraged and isn't bound by any well know laws, just the private ones that it agrees to. I.e. rent payments, fair wages, etc. The police enforce laws to a fair extent and crimes against the Australian government aren't that popular. People are also given free reign in terms of travel. Citizens are able to travel within Australian states and leave the country at the drop of a hat.
Source: Personal
2) Freedom of speech 5.0
Citizens can say anything they want by speaking to anyone about anything they want. It is racist remarks that often attract the most attention in terms of free speech. The whole country shares it's opinions openly, on weather or not the Prime minister is doing a good job or not for example. So the national debates, forums, speeches, protests, etc can all be discussed and shared in plain view, without fear of annihilation, murder, banishment, etc.
Source: Personal
3) Effective fair police 4.0
On a whole, the police are seen as effective, and on the right side of justice. Police The AFP (Australian Federal Police) says that it stands to enforce Commonwealth criminal law, and protects Commonwealth and national interests from crime in Australia and overseas. The AFP is somewhat similar to the FBI, but on a smaller scale. Police can often been seen on horseback, motorbike, car, etc, within major cities and are represented well in rural area's also. There is the occasional headline of police brutality, bribery, etc, but on the whole the police do aim to serve and protect the Australian people.
Source: http://www.pansw.asn.au/Default.htm -Date accessed 13/12/01 - Personal
4) Private property: 4.5
"It's not a house, it's a home!" This line is from a very funny Australian film made about a homeowners dispute with an expanding airport, wanting to bulldoze the house for the land used for the proposed construction. This film while hilarious does illustrate the protection provided given by the Australian government for private landowners. The homeowner does win the case after going to the Supreme High Court.
Citizens can freely buy and sell their homes, whenever and for whatever reason they wish. Although there are restrictions and rules on selling a house or land. These and many others such as the Transfer of Land act 1958, Transfer of Land (general) Regulations 1994, Sale of land act 1962,etc all act to intervene in the buying, selling and registration of a property. These acts do act to protect homeowners and buyers alike. Things like stamp duty, rates and land tax are additional costs of buying and owning a home within Australia. If you own land with a total unimproved value of US$42,000 or more (excluding exempt land), the owner needs to pay land tax. Generally people's personal property is protected and is subject to the terms on which it was purchased. i.e. Mortgage repayments, settlements, lease agreements, etc.
Source : http://www.land.vic.gov.au. 12/1/01 : Funny Australian movie! "THE CASTLE"
5) Commercial banks 5.0
The financial system within Australia consists mostly of commercial banks and merchant/investment banks. Banking access within Australia is very user friendly with many services offered at most branches such as ATM's (automated teller machines), personal consulting, phone banking, etc. The interest rates at which loans are borrowed at from commercial banks are regulated by the RBA (reserve bank of Australia). Many banks exist within populated area's including the three biggest banks or the national banks within Australia consisting of the Commonwealth bank, the NAB (National Australia Bank), and ANZ (Australia and New Zealand bank). The banking system is very effective and available to all citizens. The Financial Corporations Act 1974 requires a wide range of non-bank financial intermediaries to register with, and provide statistics to, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA).
Source: http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/chayeskiwebtop/html/banks_aus.htm - date accessed 13/12/01 : http://www.anz.com.au - date accessed -13/12/01
6) Communication systems 5.0
Australia's communication systems are also very good in terms of business applications. In comparison to pager usage within the US, mobile phones (cell phones) have become very common and affordable among teenagers, business people and families alike. In September of 2000 there were 51 licensed telecommunication carriers operating within Australia. In June of 1999, there were around 850 service providers, over 520 of these being Internet service providers (ISP's) throughout Australia. So not only is cell phone usage and Internet access common throughout Australia, but the telecommunications industry is worth over A$26b!
Australia also has several television stations that are broadcasted free to air or paid for by advertisements. They provide hourly news updates with special news editions i.e. 6 o'clock, 10 o clock, etc and are very reliable in terms of being free from interruptions. Cable companies entered Australia not so long ago, but failed to really take off the way they are situated in the US. In 1996, it was found that virtually all households possessed a TV, with 59.1% possessing more that one TV. Some 79.3% of homes had a VCR, and about 1 in 20 households received pay or cable TV.
Radio is also readily available nation wide. In 1997 there were 263 radio stations operating throughout Australia. Like most of the world AM, FM are the two bands, with FM having the largest audience. Australian radio is much the same as American radio in that it serves as an information, news, music, advertisement and community announcement provider.
The Australian postal corporation (AusPost) is Australia's primary mail carrier. Generally the postal service does do a good job, and offers an express system similar to that of FedEx, for business operations and deliveries. In 1998 a national business survey showed that 63% of Australian businesses used personal computers in their day-to-day operations. Out of these a third of them had Internet access or were connected to a LAN. Obviously the bigger the business the more computers are used. Most businesses also use fax machines and modems for the transmission of documents. So both computers and Fax machines are common within Australian businesses.
Finally Australian newspaper and magazine companies also serve to inform the public on current issues and serve as resourceful communication systems. There are 3 national newspapers with smaller ones operating within each state. Many, many magazines are also published, and are readily available. It should been said that much of the media outlets (TV stations, newspapers, etc) are owned by media tycoon Rupert Murdoch.
Sources:- http://encarta.msn.com/index/concise - Rupert Murdoch - date accessed 12/12/01 - Radio and television stats - www.abs.gov.au - Personal - Australia post - www.auspost.com - Radio and Television Services, Australia, 1996-97 (8680.0).
7) Transportation: 5.0
Australia's transportation system is of a high standard after years and years of development. Contrary to people's belief's Australia does actually have paved roads! In fact it has over 837,872 kilometers of paved highway. Although the further inland a traveler travels the less substantial the paved roads become. The rail system is also extensive allowing for freight and passenger travel. Australia has both the metropolitan systems specifically designed for urban travel (similar to BART) within most of its major cities, and a rural system specifically designed for long distance travel and freight delivery. Australia's rail network consists of over 40,478 kilometers of railroad. In terms of airfreight capabilities, Australia had 278 airports in the March of 2000. Of these 9 were licensed as international airports, which serviced international carriers.such as United Airlines, Cathay pacific, British Airways, etc.
Australia's sea freight activity is Australia's prime transport method of imports and exports. There is a seaport in every major city located on any one of Australia's coasts. The total sea freight activity that was transported to and from Australia's shores exceeded 488.4 million tones in 1999.
Source: -Transport and international freight activity - www.fed.gov.au Date accessed: 12/12/01 -CIA-The World Factbook 1999 Australia. Date accessed 3/12/01
8) Education: 4.5
Education within Australia is at a high level compared with world standards, and available to everyone. In 1999 Australia had 3.2 million school students, of whom 2.2 million were in Government schools and 1.0 million in private schools. School attendance is compulsory between the ages of 5 through to 15. Education begins when children turn age five and attend kindergarten after a year children attend a primary school (elementary) for 6 years. Upon graduation of primary school, students then attend a high school for a further 6 or 7 years until graduation. While in the final year of high school, students wanting to enter a tertiary institution need to put in their preferences for a number of courses they are interested in studying. Whether or not students attends the university and the course of they're choice depends on their grades and national rank received at the end of the year. After graduation students can enter a university or TAFE (similar to a community college or JC). There are no compulsory requirements after completing high school such as military duty etc, so students are given free reign and are able to take up full time employment, travel, study, relax, etc.
In 1999, 3.2 million students were attending primary and secondary schools on a full-time basis with 70% attending public schools and 30% attending private/other types of schools. The final two years of schooling are outside the compulsory requirements of education, and in 1999, 86% of students remained at school until Year 11 and 72% remained until Year 12 (the last year of high school).
In terms of costs, primary and secondary education is free in government schools in all States and Territories. Tertiary education however is not free. Students often take a government loan to pay for fees, books, etc and pay back the loan on individual terms once employed with the qualifications received from the institution. Private, catholic and other types of schools also often charge expensive fees for educational services.
Sources: Education and training rates: www.abs.gov.au - 12/12/01 Personal 9) Social mobility 4.0
Generally the rights of individuals are protected and the ability for each person to make a good living is unrestricted. The first point that can be raised on this issues is that statistics on Australia's work force show that men are often paid more and often work in higher paying jobs than women. In 1994 it was estimated that men on average earned 19% more than women. This is often referred to as the 'gender gap'. The second point being that people are hired for positions primarily for their qualifications and experience within the industry, regardless of background, skin color, etc. Although restrictions on employment often include: criminal records, proficiency in English, previous employment history, and citizenship status. Of course different requirements stand for different positions. Within metropolitan area's whites along with Asians dominate the corporate and small business positions. Aboriginals tend to reside in rural areas and work in rural industries such as cattle stations, farms, etc.
Source: Personal
10) Freedom from outside control 5.0
Australian citizens are free from control by any citizen or agency of any other country. Although Australia is part of the British commonwealth this has little or no effects on the citizens, and does not excise any stronghold or forms of control on what the citizens are allowed to say or do.
Source: personal
11) Foreign currency transactions: 5.0
In 1983 a change came about in Australian currency. The government decided to 'float' the Australian dollar. Meaning that instead of backing the dollar using a regulated system, it became subject to trade on the foreign exchange market place
The only currencies accepted within Australia are Australian dollars. Without them your money is no good. Unless that is you get them exchanged in to Australian dollars! The exchange rate between Australian and overseas currencies is expressed in terms of the amount of foreign currency one Australian dollar will buy. The Australian dollar is traded against many foreign country currencies and is available for exchange at all airports within Australia upon arrival in to the country. Banks are also able to exchange you money, usually for a fee and after checking the exchange rate listed for it that day. The primary currency that the Australian dollar is traded against is America's mighty dollar. Over a number of years the Australian dollar has been trading for less and less of the American dollar. Currently the exchange rate is around 54 cents against the US dollar. (A54 cents = US$1) Every currency including the US dollar must be converted in order to conduct business.
Source: http://blue.bmihms.nsw.edu.au/economics_discussion/_discussion/000000a7.htm - 7/12/01 - Personal - Australia's exchange rates - The Australian Newspaper '92
12) Border control 4.0
Unlike Europe, Australia doesn't share it's borders with any other country. It is the largest island in the world and is made up of 8 individual states and territories. When crossing in to other states the border control is much like in the US. Crossing the borders means just watching for the sign saying that you have just entered in to a new state with a population figure usually shown. However for its external border controls, Australia has increased its efforts to combat attempts at people smuggling in to Australia. The Australian government says, "It is firmly committed to the integrity of Australia's borders." Borders in this case meaning its coastline. Much work has been done on this issue. Federal Parliament did pass a number of new legislations in September of 2001, that were made to strengthen Australia's integrity in dealing with illegal immigrants and also aiming at discouraging the dangerous boat trips often made in order to reach Australia's shores.
source: http://www.immi.gov.au/facts/71border.htm - 7/12/01 - New measures to strengthen border control (71) - Personal