Australia and Street punk: Difference between pages

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{{Infobox Australia}}

The '''Commonwealth of Australia''' is a country in the [[southern hemisphere]] comprising the world's smallest continent and a number of islands, the largest of which is [[Tasmania]]. Australia has been inhabited for about 50,000 years by [[Australian Aborigine|Aboriginal]] and [[Torres Strait Islander]] peoples. Eastern Australia was claimed by the [[United Kingdom|British]] in [[1770]], and officially settled as a British [[penal colony]] on [[26 January]], [[1788]]. As the population grew and new areas were explored, six largely self-governing [[British overseas territory|Crown Colonies]] were established within Australia over the course of the 19th century. On [[1 January]] [[1901]] the six colonies [[Federation of Australia|federated]] and the Commonwealth of Australia was formed. Since federation, Australia has had a stable [[liberal democracy|liberal democratic]] political system and remains a [[Commonwealth Realm]].

==The Definition Of Streetpunk==

Australia's neighbouring countries include [[Indonesia]], [[East Timor]], and [[Papua New Guinea]] to the north, the [[Solomon Islands]] and [[Vanuatu]] to the north-east, and [[New Zealand]] to the south-east. The shortest distance from the Australian mainland to a neighbouring country is about 150 km, across the [[Torres Strait]] that lies between the coasts of New Guinea and Australia. Australia currently has a population of around 20 million, concentrated mainly in the coastal cities of [[Sydney]], [[Melbourne]], [[Brisbane]], [[Adelaide]] and [[Perth, Australia|Perth]].

'''Street punk''' (also known as '''gutterpunk''' in several parts of the world) is both a subgenre of [[punk rock]] and a word that describes people, mostly young, who live on the streets. In the latter case, such people may not identify themselves as "punk."

== Origin and history of the name ==

People described as "street punks" are mostly [[white]] (or [[Caucasian Race|Caucasian]]) working class, and/or inner city youth who usually have a punk-like appearance. This includes studded leather jackets customised by that individual, torn jeans, plaid [[BDSM fashion|bondage trousers]], bullet belts, studded belts, [[mohawk hairstyle]]s and dyed hair, [[body piercing|piercings]], et cetera. However, many don't have any such appearance, and are sometimes described as "Casuals". The word "punk," in this usage, may have a derogatory intent.

The name Australia is derived from the [[Latin]] ''australis'', meaning ''southern''. Legends of an "unknown southern land" (''[[Terra Australis|terra australis incognita]]'') date back to the Roman times, and were commonplace in mediæval geography, but were not based on any actual knowledge of the continent. The Dutch adjectival form ''Australische'' ("Australian", in the sense of "southern") was used by Dutch officials in [[Jakarta|Batavia]] to refer to the newly discovered land to the south as early as 1638. The first writer in English to use the word "Australia" was [[Alexander Dalrymple]] in his ''An Historical Collection of Voyages and Discoveries in the South Pacific Ocean'', published in 1771. He used the term to refer to the whole South Pacific region, not specifically to the Australian continent. In 1793, [[George Shaw]] and [[James Edward Smith|Sir James Smith]] published ''Zoology and Botany of New Holland'', in which they wrote of "the vast island, or rather continent, of Australia, Australasia or New Holland."

[[Image:Flinders View of Port Jackson taken from South Head.jpg|200px|thumb|left|View of [[Port Jackson]], taken from the South Head, from ''A Voyage to Terra Australis''. [[Sydney]] was established on this site.]]

== Streetpunk as a Subculture ==

The name "Australia" was popularised by the 1814 work ''A Voyage to Terra Australis'' by the navigator [[Matthew Flinders]]. Despite its title (which reflected the view of the Admiralty), he used the word "Australia" in the book, which was widely read and gave the term general currency. Governor [[Lachlan Macquarie]] of [[New South Wales]] subsequently used the word in his dispatches to [[England]]. In 1817 he recommended that it be officially adopted. In 1824, the British Admiralty finally accepted that the continent should be known officially as Australia.

Streetpunk is also seen as a reaction against middle class art-school type punks like [[Generation X (band)|Generation X]], as well as what some view as mainstream "trendy" people who embrace the punk lifestyle in what is viewed as a superficial way. Some streetpunks, like some skinheads, even operated in [[crew]]s; these crews sometimes have unifying political agendas and beliefs that kept them together. Others simply exist as house-sized inner-city communes who help each other survive. Although this only occurs amongst the most poverty-stricken of the punk rock subculture and has become uncommon in the [[21st century]], it is worth noting. Also, those "streetpunks" who engage in tribalism are less likely ever to "grow out" of the subculture. More often than not [[Marxist]]s and anarchists hold to the streetpunk music genre due to its subject matter, described below.

The word "Australia" is pronounced in [[Australian English]] as either {{IPA|/əˈstɹæɪliːə/}}, {{IPA|/əˈstɹæɪljə/}} or {{IPA|/əˈstɹæɪjə/}} ([[International Phonetic Alphabet for English|IPA]]).

== HistoryStreetpunk Music ==

{{see details|History of Australia}}

[[Image:Endeavour replica in Cooktown harbour.jpg|240px|right|thumb|Lieutenant [[James Cook]] charted the East coast of Australia on the HM Bark ''Endeavour'' claiming the land for Britain in [[1770]]. This replica was built in [[Fremantle, Western Australia]] in 1988 for Australia's bicentenary.]]

The date of the first human habitation of Australia is estimated to be between 42,000 and 48,000 years ago.{{mn|Gillespie2002|1}} The first Australians were the ancestors of the current [[Australian Aborigine]]s, and arrived via land bridges and short sea-crossings from present-day [[Southeast Asia|south-east Asia]]. Most of these people were [[hunter-gatherer]]s, with a complex oral culture and spiritual values based on reverence for the land and a belief in the [[Dreamtime (mythology)|Dreamtime]]. The Torres Strait Islanders, ethnically [[Melanesia]]n, inhabited the [[Torres Strait Islands]] and parts of far-north [[Queensland]]; they possess distinct cultural practices and practised subsistence agriculture.

The street punk music genre started with the [[Oi!]] music scene in the late [[1970s]] and early [[1980s]] in [[Great Britain]], but on early streetpunk acts one can still feel the influence of late 70s British pub rock and cockney glam noize. This form of music was developed by bands such as [[Cock Sparrer]], [[The Business]], [[4-Skins]] and [[The Cockney Rejects]]. It started as a youth music style with songs about tales of the street, [[crew]] or [[gang]] life, police violence, easy girls, and teenage drunk mayhem. Streetpunk bands of the mid '80s include [[The Skeptix]], [[Abrasive Wheels]], and [[Attak]]. Today street punk bands can be found all over the world. Today's street punk is dominated by [[the Casualties]], [[Deadline]], [http://wastekrew.cjb.net USA Waste][[A Global Threat]], [[Career Soldiers]], [[The Unseen]], [[Cheap Sex]], [[Lower Class Brats]], and others. Their lyrics often talk about having fun at shows, unity, police oppression, social problems, anti-establishment and the punk scene itself.

The first undisputed recorded European sighting of the Australian continent was made by the Dutch navigator [[Willem Jansz]], who sighted the coast of [[Cape York Peninsula]] in 1606. During the 17th century, the Dutch charted the whole of the western and northern coastlines of what they called [[New Holland (Australia)|New Holland]], but made no attempt at settlement. In 1770, [[James Cook]] sailed along the east coast of Australia, which he named [[New South Wales]] and claimed for Britain. His discoveries provided impetus for the establishment of a [[penal colony]] there following the loss of the American colonies.

===Streetpunk Bands===

[[Image:Port Arthur Seeseite.jpg|260px|thumb|left|[[Port Arthur, Tasmania|Port Arthur]], [[Tasmania]] was Australia's largest penal colony.]]The British [[British overseas territory|Crown Colony]] of New South Wales started with the establishment of a settlement (later to become [[Sydney]]) at [[Port Jackson]] by Captain [[Arthur Phillip]] on [[26 January]] [[1788]]. This date was later to become Australia's national day, [[Australia Day]]. [[Van Diemen's Land]] (the present day [[Tasmania]]) was settled in 1803 and became a separate colony in 1825. Britain formally claimed the rest of the continent (present-day [[Western Australia]]) in [[1829]]. Separate colonies were created from parts of New South Wales: [[South Australia]] in 1836, [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] in 1851, and [[Queensland]] in 1859. The [[Northern Territory]] was founded in 1863 as part of the Province of South Australia. Victoria and South Australia were founded as "free colonies"—that is, they were never penal colonies, although the former did receive some convicts from Tasmania. Western Australia was also founded "free", but later accepted transported convicts due to an acute labour shortage. The transportation of convicts to Australia was phased out between 1840 and 1868.

The following list of musicians and bands are identified with the streetpunk subculture, but not all of them are considered to be of the [[Oi!]] or streetpunk genre of music.

The [[Australian Aborigine|Indigenous Australian]] population, estimated at about 350,000 at the time of European settlement,{{mn|Smith1980|2}} declined steeply for 150 years following settlement, mainly because of infectious disease, and forced migration, the [[Stolen Generation|removal of children]] and other colonial government policies that by today's understanding constitute [[genocide]].{{mn|Tatz1999|3}} Following the [[Australian referendum, 1967 (Aboriginals)|1967 referendum]], the Federal government gained the power to implement policies and make laws with respect to Aborigines. Traditional ownership of land—[[native title]]—was not recognised until the [[High Court of Australia|High Court]] case ''[[Mabo v Queensland (No 2)]]'' overturned the notion of Australia as ''[[terra nullius]]'' at the time of European occupation.

*[[4-Skins]]

[[Image:Anzac1.JPG|right|thumb|160px|The [[Last Post]] is played at an [[ANZAC Day]] ceremony in [[Port Melbourne, Victoria]], [[25 April]] [[2005]]. Ceremonies such as this are held in virtually every suburb and town in Australia.]]Between 1855 and 1890, the six colonies individually gained [[responsible government]], managing most of their own affairs while remaining part of the [[British Empire]]. The Colonial Office in London retained control of some matters, notably foreign affairs, defence and international shipping. On [[1 January]] [[1901]], [[Federation of Australia|federation]] of the colonies was achieved after a decade of planning, consultation and voting, and the Commonwealth of Australia was born, as a [[Dominion]] of the [[British Empire]]. The [[Australian Capital Territory]] was formed from New South Wales in 1911 to provide a ___location for the proposed new federal capital of [[Canberra]] ([[Melbourne]] was the capital from 1901 to 1927). The Northern Territory was transferred from the control of the South Australian government to the Commonwealth in 1911. Australia willingly participated in [[World War I]];{{mn|Bean1941|4}} many Australians regard the defeat of the [[Australian and New Zealand Army Corps]] (ANZACs) at [[Battle of Gallipoli|Gallipoli]] as the birth of the nation—its first major military action. The casualties suffered in Australia were the highest ''per capita'' of any Allied nation, and the war had a profound effect on the national character. Much like Gallipoli the [[Kokoda Track Campaign]] is regarded by many as a nation defining battle from [[World War II]].

*[[A Global Threat]]

*[[Abrasive Wheels]]

*[[Against All Authority]]

*[[Ann Beretta]]

*[[Anti-Heroes]]

*[[Attak]]

*[[The Brassknuckle Boys]]

*[[The Briggs]]

*[[The Bruisers]]

*[[The Business]]

*[[Career Soldiers]]

*[[The Casualties]]

*[[Cheap Sex]]

*[[Cock Sparrer]]

*[[The Cockney Rejects]]

*[[Clit 45]]

*[[Damage Case]]

*[[Deadline]]

*[[Dissucks]]

*[[The Forgotten]]

*[[The God Awfuls]]

*[[I Farm]]

*[[Kill The Man Who Questions]]

*[[Lifetime (band) | Lifetime]]

*[[Lower Class Brats]]

*[[Oxymoron]]

*[[Pistol Grip]]

*[[Rizzo Machine]]

*[[The Skabs]]

*[[The Skeptix]]

*[[Swingin' Utters]]

*[[The Templars]]

*[[Time bomb 77]]

*[[The Unseen]]

*[[The Varukers]]

*[[Le Fray]]

*[[Circle Jerks]]

[[Category:Punk genres]]

The [[Statute of Westminster 1931]] formally ended the constitutional links between Australia and Britain, other than the Crown, but Australia continued to regard itself an essentially British country until World War II, and did not [[Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942|adopt the Statute]] until 1942. The shock of Britain's defeat in Asia in 1942 and the threat of Japanese invasion caused Australia to turn to the United States as a new ally and protector. Since 1951 Australia has been a formal military ally of the US under the auspices of the [[ANZUS]] treaty. After World War II, Australia encouraged mass immigration from Europe, and since the 1970s and the abolition of the [[White Australia policy]] from Asia and other parts of the world; radically transforming Australia's demography, culture and image of itself. Although Australian voters rejected a move to become a republic in 1999 by a 55% majority,{{mn|AEC|5}} Australia's links to its British past are increasingly tenuous. Since the election of the [[Gough Whitlam|Whitlam Government]] in 1972, there has been an increasing focus on the nation's future as a part of the Asia-Pacific region.

[[de:Streetpunk]]

==Politics==

[[Image:NewParliamentHouseInCanberra.jpg|thumb|right|250px|New [[Parliament House, Canberra|Parliament House]] in [[Canberra]] was opened in [[1988]] replacing the [[Old Parliament House, Canberra|Old Parliament House]] opened in [[1927]].]]

{{Mainpl|''[[Government of Australia]], [[Politics of Australia]]''}}

The Commonwealth of Australia is a [[constitutional monarchy]] and has a [[parliamentary system]] of government. [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]] is the [[Queen of Australia]], a role that is distinct from her position as Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. The Queen is nominally represented by the [[Governor-General of Australia|Governor-General]]; although the [[Constitution of Australia|Constitution]] gives extensive [[Executive (government)|executive powers]] to the Governor-General, these are normally exercised only on the advice of the [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]]. The most notable exercise of the Governor-General's [[reserve power]]s outside the Prime Minister's direction was the dismissal of the Whitlam Government in the [[Australian constitutional crisis of 1975|constitutional crisis of 1975]].{{mn|PL1997|6}}

There are three arms of government.

*The legislature: the [[Parliament of Australia|Commonwealth Parliament]], comprising the Queen, the Senate, and the House of Representatives; the Queen is represented by the Governor-General, who in practice exercises little or no power over the Parliament.

*The executive: the [[Federal Executive Council]] (the Governor-General as advised by the executive councillors); in practice, the councillors are the prime minister and ministers of state, whose advice the Governor-General accepts, with rare exceptions.

*The judiciary: the [[High Court of Australia]] and other [[Australian court hierarchy|federal courts]]. The judiciary became officially independent from that of the [[United Kingdom]] when the ''[[Australia Act]]'' was passed in 1986.

The [[Bicameralism|bicameral]] Commonwealth Parliament consists of the [[Australian Senate|Senate]] (the upper house) of 76 senators, and a [[Australian House of Representatives|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'. The more populous a state, the more members it returns to the lower house, with a minimum of five members per state. In the Senate, each state, regardless of population, is represented by 12 senators, and each mainland territory by two. Elections for both chambers are held every three years; typically only half of the Senate seats are put to each election, because senators have overlapping six-year terms. The Government is formed in the lower house, and the leader of the majority party or coalition in the House of Representatives is the Prime Minister.

There are three major political parties: the centre-left [[Australian Labor Party]], and the centre-right [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]] and [[National Party of Australia|National]] parties (which traditionally form a coalition representing, for the most part, urban and rural/regional constituencies, respectively). Independent members and several minor parties—including the [[Australian Greens|Greens]] and the [[Australian Democrats]]—have achieved representation in Australian parliaments, mostly in upper houses, although their influence has been marginal. Since the [[Australian legislative election, 1996|1996 election]], the [[Coalition (Australia)|Liberal/National Coalition]] led by the Prime Minister, [[John Howard]], has been in power in Canberra. In the [[Australian legislative election, 2004|2004 election]], the Coalition won control of the Senate, the first time that a party has done so while in government in more than 30 years. The Labor Party is in power in every state and territory.

== States and territories==

{{see details|Australian states and territories}}

[[Image:Map of Australia.png|thumb|260px|States and territories of Australia]]

Australia consists of six states and several territories. The states are [[New South Wales]], [[Queensland]], [[South Australia]], [[Tasmania]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] and [[Western Australia]]. The two mainland territories are the [[Northern Territory]] and the [[Australian Capital Territory]]; the federal government administers a separate area within New South Wales, the [[Jervis Bay Territory]], as a naval base and sea port for the national capital.

In most respects, the territories function similarly to the states, but the Commonwealth Parliament can override any legislation of their parliaments. By contrast, federal legislation overrides state legislation only with respect to certain areas as set out in [[Section 51 of the Australian Constitution|Section 51]] of the [[Constitution of Australia|Constitution]]; all residual legislative powers are retained by the state parliaments, including powers over hospitals, education, police, the judiciary, roads, public transport and local government. This is in direct contrast with the Canadian arrangement, in which provincial powers are constitutionally defined, and federal powers are largely residual. Since federation, the power of government in Australia has become gradually more centralised in Canberra; this also contrasts with the Canadian experience of a decentralising of federal power to its provinces.

Each state and territory has its own bicameral [[Parliaments of the Australian states and territories|parliament]] ([[Unicameralism|unicameral]] in the case of Queensland and the mainland territories). The [[lower house]] is known as the [[Legislative Assembly]] ([[House of Assembly]] in South Australia and Tasmania) and the [[upper house]] the [[Legislative Council]]. The [[head of government|heads of the governments]] in each state and territory are called [[Premiers of the Australian states|premiers]] and [[Chief Minister|chief ministers]], respectively. The Queen is represented in each state by a [[Governors of the Australian states|governor]]; an [[Administrator of the Northern Territory|administrator]] in the Northern Territory, and the Governor-General in the ACT, have analogous roles.

Australia has several inhabited external territories: [[Norfolk Island]], [[Christmas Island]], [[Cocos (Keeling) Islands]], and several largely uninhabited external territories: [[Ashmore and Cartier Islands]], [[Coral Sea Islands]], [[Heard Island and McDonald Islands]] and the [[Australian Antarctic Territory]].

==Foreign relations and military==

{{Mainpl|''[[Foreign relations of Australia]], [[Australian Defence Force]]''}}

Over recent decades, [[Foreign relations of Australia|Australia's foreign relations]] have been driven by a close association with the [[United States]], through the [[ANZUS|ANZUS pact]] and by a desire to develop relationships with [[Asia]] and the Pacific, particularly through [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations|ASEAN]] and the [[Pacific Islands Forum]]. Australia is a member of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]], in which the [[Commonwealth Heads of Government]] meetings provide the main forum for co-operation. Much of Australia's diplomatic energy is focused on international trade liberalisation. Australia led the formation the [[Cairns Group]] and [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation|APEC]], and is a member of the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development|OECD]] and the [[WTO]]. Australia has pursued several major bilateral free trade agreements, most recently the [[U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement|US–Australia Free Trade Agreement]]. Australia is a founding member of the [[United Nations]], and maintains an international aid program under which some 60 countries receive assistance. The 2005–06 budget provides A$2.5bn for development assistance;{{mn|AGov2005|7}} as a percentage of GDP, this contribution is less than that of the UN [[Millennium Development Goals]].

Australia's armed forces—the [[Australian Defence Force]] (ADF)—comprise the [[Royal Australian Navy]] (RAN), the [[Australian Army]], and the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF). All branches of the ADF have been involved in UN and regional peacekeeping (most recently in East Timor and the Solomon Islands), disaster relief, and armed conflict, including the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]]. The government appoints the chief of the Defence Force from one of the armed services; the current chief is Air Chief Marshall [[Angus Houston]]. In 2005–06, the defence budget is A$17.5bn.{{mn|AGov2005|7}}

== Geography and climate ==

{{see details|Geography of Australia}}

[[Image:GreatBarrierReef-EO.JPG|right|thumb|210px|The [[Great Barrier Reef]] is the world's largest coral reef.]]

Australia's 7,686,850 [[square metre#square kilometre|km²]] landmass is on the [[Indo-Australian Plate]]. Surrounded by the [[Indian Ocean|Indian]], [[Southern Ocean|Southern]] and [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] oceans, Australia is separated from Asia by the [[Arafura Sea|Arafura]] and [[Timor Sea|Timor]] seas. Australia has a total 25,760 [[kilometre|km]] of coastline and claims an extensive [[Exclusive Economic Zone]] of 8,148,250 km² (excluding the [[Australian Antarctic Territory]]). Climate is highly influenced by ocean currents, including the [[El Niño]] southern oscillation, which causes periodic [[drought]], and the seasonal tropical low pressure system that produces [[cyclones]] in northern Australia.

By far the largest part of Australia is [[desert]] or [[semi-arid]]—40% of the land mass is covered by [[dune|sand dune]]s. Australia is the driest inhabited continent, the flattest, and has the oldest and least fertile soils. Only the south-east and south-west corners of the continent have a temperate climate. The northern part of the country has a [[tropics|tropical climate]]: part of this region is tropical [[rainforest]], part is grassland, and part is desert. The [[Great Barrier Reef]], the world's largest [[coral reef]], lies a short distance off the north-east coast and extends for over 1,200 km. The world's two largest [[monolith]]s are located in Australia, [[Mount Augustus National Park|Mount Augustus]] in Western Australia is the largest and [[Uluru]] in central Australia is the second largest. At 2,228 [[metre|m]], [[Mount Kosciuszko]] on the [[Great Dividing Range]] is the highest mountain on the Australian mainland, although [[Mawson Peak]] on the remote Australian territory of [[Heard Island and McDonald Islands|Heard Island]] is taller at 2,745 m.

== Flora and fauna ==

{{Mainpl|''[[Flora of Australia]], [[Fauna of Australia]]''}}

[[Image:Tammar mjw.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The [[Tammar Wallaby]] is an Australian marsupial. The [[genome]] of the wallaby is currently being sequenced, it will be a major contribution to marsupial biology.]]

Although most of Australia is semi-arid or desert, it covers a diverse range of habitats, from alpine heaths to tropical [[rainforest]]s. Because of the great age and consequent low levels of fertility of the continent, its extremely variable weather patterns, and its long-term geographic isolation, much of Australia's [[biota (ecology)|biota]] is unique and [[biodiversity|diverse]]. About 85% of [[flowering plant]]s, 84% of [[mammal]]s, more than 45% of [[List of Australian birds|bird]]s, and 89% of in-shore, temperate-zone fish are [[Endemic (ecology)|endemic]].{{mn|DEH|8}} Many of Australia's ecoregions, and the species within those regions, are threatened by human activities and [[Invasive species in Australia|introduced plant and animal species]]. The federal ''Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999'' is used for the identification and protection of threatened species. Numerous [[Protected areas of Australia|protected areas]] have been created to protect and preserve Australia's unique ecosystems, 64 wetlands are registered under the [[Ramsar Convention]], and 16 [[World Heritage Site]]s have been established. Australia was ranked 13th in the World on the 2005 [[Environmental Sustainability Index]].

[[Image:Acacia saligna(03).jpg|left|thumb|140px|[[Acacia|Wattle]] is the flower on the [[Coat of Arms of Australia]].]]

Most Australian plant species are evergreen and many are adapted to fire and drought, including the [[Eucalyptus|eucalypts]] and [[acacia]]s. Australia has a rich variety of endemic [[legume]] species that thrive in nutrient-poor soils because of their symbiosis with [[Rhizobia]] bacteria and [[Mycorrhiza|mycorrhizal]] fungi. Well-known Australian fauna include [[monotreme]]s (the [[platypus]] and [[echidna]]), and a host of [[marsupial]]s, including the [[koala]], [[kangaroo]]s, [[wombat]]s, and birds such as the [[emu]], [[cockatoo]], and [[kookaburra]]. The [[dingo]] was introduced by Austronesian people that traded with Indigenous Australians around 4000 [[Common Era|BCE]]. Many plant and animal species became extinct soon after human settlement, including the [[Australian megafauna]]; many more have become extinct since European settlement, among them the [[Thylacine]] (Tasmanian Tiger).

== Economy ==

{{see details|Economy of Australia}}

[[Image:BrisbaneByNight2004.jpg|240px|thumb|right|[[Brisbane]] is Australia's fastest growing capital city. The population of Brisbane grew 2% per year between 1998 and 2003.{{mn|ABS2005|12}}]]

Australia has a prosperous, Western-style [[mixed economy]], with a per capita [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] slightly higher than those of the UK, [[Germany]] and [[France]]. The country was ranked third in the 2004 [[Human Development Index]] and sixth in ''[[The Economist]]'' worldwide quality-of-life index 2005. In recent years, the Australian economy has been resilient in the face of global economic downturn. Rising output in the domestic economy has been offsetting the global slump, and business and consumer confidence remains robust. Australia's emphasis on reform is another key factor behind the economy's strength. In the 1980s, the Labor Party, led by [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]] [[Bob Hawke]] and [[Treasurer of Australia|Treasurer]] [[Paul Keating]], started the process of modernising the Australian economy by [[Floating exchange rate|floating]] the [[Australian dollar]] in 1983, and deregulating the financial system.{{mn|Macfarlane1998|9}} Since 1996, the Howard government has continued the process of micro-economic reform, including the partial deregulation of the labour market and the privatisation of state-owned businesses, most notably in the [[Communications in Australia|telecommunications]] industry.{{mn|Parham2002|10}} Substantial reform of the indirect tax system was achieved in [[July 2000]] with the introduction of a 10% [[Goods and Services Tax (Australia)|Goods and Services Tax]], which has slightly reduced the heavy reliance on personal and company income tax that still characterises Australia's tax system.

The Australian economy has not suffered a [[recession]] since the early 1990s. In April 2005, [[unemployment]] fell to a level of 5.1%,{{mn|ABS6202|11}} the lowest since the late 1970s. The service sector of the economy, including tourism, education, and financial services, comprises 69% of GDP.{{mn|DFAT|13}} [[Agriculture in Australia|Agriculture]] and natural-resources represent only 3% and 5% of GDP, respectively, but contribute substantially to Australia's export performance. Australia's largest export markets include [[Japan]], [[People's Republic of China|China]], the United States, [[South Korea]] and New Zealand.{{mn|ABS2005|12}} Areas of concern to some economists include the chronically high [[current account deficit]] and also high levels of net foreign debt.

== Demographics ==

{{see details|Demographics of Australia}}

[[Image:Sydney Harbour Bridge from the air.JPG|right|thumb|250px|Most Australians live in urban areas; [[Sydney]] is the most populous city in Australia.]]

Most of the estimated 20.3 million Australians are descended from 19th- and 20th-century immigrants, the majority from Britain and [[Ireland]]. Australia's population has more than doubled since the end of World War I, spurred by an ambitious immigration program. In 2001, the five largest groups of the 27.4% of Australians who were born overseas were from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, [[Italy]], [[Vietnam]] and China.{{mn|ABS2005|12}} Following the abolition of the [[White Australia policy]], numerous government initiatives have been established to encourage and promote racial harmony based on a policy of [[multiculturalism]]{{mn|DIMIA|15}}.

The self-declared indigenous population—including Torres Strait Islanders, who are of Melanesian descent—was 410,003 (2.2% of the total population) in 2001, a significant increase from the 1977 census, which showed an indigenous population of 115,953.{{mn|ABS2001|14}} Indigenous Australians have higher rates of imprisonment and unemployment, lower levels of education and life expectancies for males and females that are 17 years lower than those of other Australians.{{mn|ABS2005|12}} Perceived racial inequality is an ongoing political and [[human rights in Australia|human rights]] issue for Australians.

[[Image:Tanunda.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Fewer than 15% of Australians live in rural areas. This picture shows the [[Barossa Valley]] wine producing region of [[South Australia]].]]

In common with many other developed countries, Australia is experiencing a demographic shift towards an older population, with more retirees and fewer people of working age. A large number of Australians (759,849 for the period 2002&ndash;03{{mn|PoA2005|16}}) live outside their home country. Australia has maintained one of the most active [[Immigration to Australia|immigration]] programs in the world to boost population growth. Most immigrants are skilled; the quota includes categories for family members and [[refugee]]s.

[[English language|English]] is the [[official language]], and is spoken and written in a distinct variety known as [[Australian English]]. According to the 2001 census, English the only language spoken in the home for around 80% of the population. The next most common languages spoken at home are [[Chinese language|Chinese]] (2.1%), [[Italian language|Italian]] (1.9%) and [[Greek language|Greek]] (1.4%). A considerable proportion of first- and second-generation migrants are [[Multilingual|bilingual]]. It is believed that there were between 200 and 300 [[Australian Aboriginal languages]] at the time of first European contact; only about 70 of these languages have survived, and all but 20 of these are now [[endangered languages|endangered]]. An indigenous language remains the main language for about 50,000 (0.02%) people. Australia has a [[sign language]] known as [[Auslan]], which is the main language of about 6,500 [[deaf]] people.

The [[Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900|Australian Constitution]] guarantees the [[separation of church and state]]; there is no [[state religion]]. The 2001 census showed that 68% of Australians call themselves Christian, 21% and 27% identifying themselves are [[Anglican Church|Anglican]] and [[Roman Catholic Church in Australia|Catholic]] respectively. Like many Western countries, the level of active participation in church worship is much lower than this; weekly attendance at church services is about 1.5 million, about 7.5% of the population.{{mn|NCLSattsurvey|17}} Five per cent of Australians identify themselves as followers of non-Christian religions, and 26% as not religious.

School attendance is compulsory throughout Australia between the ages of 6–15 years (16 years in South Australia and Tasmania); for this reason, the adult literacy rate is assumed to be 99%. Government grants have aided in the establishment of numerous universities, and although several private universities have been established, the majority receive government funding. There is a national system of vocational training colleges, and many trades conduct [[apprenticeship]]s for training new tradespeople. Approximately 58% of Australians between the age of 25 and 64 have vocational or tertiary qualifications.{{mn|ABS2005|12}}

== Culture ==

{{see details|Culture of Australia}}

[[Image:Arthur Strerton Golden Summer.jpg|right|thumb|240px|Golden Summer by [[Arthur Streeton]] is an early example of the rich tradition of Australian landscape painting]]

The primary basis of Australian culture up until the mid-20th century was British, although distinctive Australian features had been evolving from the environment and [[Australian Aborigine|indigenous]] culture. Over the past 50 years, Australian culture has been strongly influenced by American popular culture (particularly television and cinema), large-scale immigration from non-English-speaking countries, and Australia's Asian neighbours.

Australia has a long history of visual arts, starting with the [[Cave painting|cave]] and bark paintings of its indigenous peoples. From the time of European settlement, a common theme in [[Art of Australia|Australian art]] has been the Australian landscape, seen in the works of [[Arthur Streeton]], [[Arthur Boyd]] and [[Albert Namatjira]], among others. The traditions of indigenous Australians are largely transmitted orally and are closely tied to ceremony and the telling of the stories of the [[Dreamtime (mythology)|Dreamtime]]. [[Australian Aboriginal music]], dance and [[Australian Aboriginal art|art]] have a palpable influence on contemporary Australian visual and performing arts. Australia has an active tradition of [[music]], [[ballet]] and [[theatre]]; many of its performing arts companies receive public funding through the federal government's [[The Australia Council|Australia Council]]. There is a [[Orchestra|symphony orchestra]] in each capital city, and a national [[opera]] company, [[Opera Australia]], first made prominent by the renowned diva [[Joan Sutherland|Dame Joan Sutherland]]; [[Music of Australia|Australian music]] includes classical, jazz, and many popular music genres.

[[Australian literature]] has also been influenced by the landscape; the works of writers such as [[Banjo Paterson]] and [[Henry Lawson]] captured the experience of the Australian bush. The character of colonial Australia, as embodied in early literature, resonates with modern Australia and its perceived emphasis on [[egalitarianism]], mateship, and anti-authoritarism. In 1973, [[Patrick White]] was awarded the [[Nobel Prize in Literature]], the only Australian to have achieved this; he is recognised as one of the great English-language writers of the 20th century. [[Australian English]] is a major variety of the language; its grammar and spelling are largely based on those of British English, overlaid with a rich vernacular of unique lexical items and phrases, some of which have found their way into standard English.

Australia has two public broadcasters (the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] and [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]]), three commercial [[television network]]s, three pay TV services, and numerous public, non-profit television and radio stations. [[Cinema of Australia|Australia's film industry]] has achieved critical and commercial successes. Each major city has daily newspapers, and there are two national daily newspapers, ''[[The Australian]]'' and the ''[[The Australian Financial Review]]''. According to [[Reporters Without Borders]] in 2004, Australia is in 41st position on a list of countries ranked by [[freedom of the press|press freedom]], well behind [[New Zealand]] (9th) and the [[United Kingdom]] (28th). This ranking is primarily due to the limited diversity of commercial media ownership in Australia. Most Australian [[Publishing|print media]] in particular is under the control of either [[News Corporation]] or [[Publishing and Broadcasting Limited]].

[[Image:Aussie rules wikipedia.jpg|thumb|230px|right|[[Australian rules football]] was developed in Australia and is played at amateur and professional levels.]]

[[Sport]] is an important part of Australian culture, assisted by a climate that favours outdoor activities; 23.5% Australians over the age of 15 regularly participate in organised sporting activities{{mn|ABS2005|12}}. At national and international levels, Australia has particularly strong teams in [[Australian rules football]], [[Rugby League]], [[Rugby Union]], [[cricket]] and [[netball]] and [[cycling]] and [[swimming]]. Australia has participated in every summer [[Olympic Games]] of the modern era, and every [[Commonwealth Games]], and has hosted the [[1956 Summer Olympics|1956]] and [[2000 Summer Olympics|2000]] Summer Olympics; per capita, Australia significantly outstrips all other countries in the overall winning of olympic medals, and has ranked among the top five medal-takers since 2000. Corporate and government sponsorship of many sports and élite athletes is common in Australia. Televised sport is popular; some of the highest rating television programs include the summer Olympic Games and the grand finals of local and international football competitions.{{mn|AFC|18}}

== Related topics ==

{{Template:Australian Topics}}

==References==

<!--This article usese [[Wikipedia:Footnote4]] please add references using that system and adjust the other references as necessary-->

{{mnb|Gillespie2002|1}}Gillsepie, R. (2002). Dating the first Australians. ''Radiocarbon'' 44:455-472<br>

{{mnb|Smith1980|2}}Smith, L. (1980), The Aboriginal Population of Australia, Australian National University Press, Canberra<br>

{{mnb|Tatz1999|3}}Tatz, C. (1999). ''[http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/rsrch/rsrch_dp/genocide.htm Genocide in Australia]'', AIATSIS Research Discussion Papers No 8, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Canberra<br>

{{mnb|Bean1941|4}}Bean, C. Ed. (1941). [http://www.awm.gov.au/histories/ww1/1/index.asp Volume I - The Story of Anzac: the first phase], First World War Official Histories 11th Edition.<br>

{{mnb|AEC|5}}Australian Electoral Commission (2000). [http://www.aec.gov.au/_content/what/publications/electoral_events/referendum99/ 1999 Referendum Reports and Statistics]<br>

{{mnb|PL1997|6}}Parliamentary Library (1997).

[http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/rn/1997-98/98rn25.htm The Reserve Powers of the Governor-General]<br>

{{mnb|AGov2005|7}}Australian Government. (2005). [http://www.budget.gov.au/ Budget 2005-2006]<br>

{{mnb|DEH|8}}Department of the Environment and Heritage. [http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/about-biodiversity.html About Biodiversity]<br>

{{mnb|Macfarlane1998|9}} Macfarlane, I. J. (1998). [http://www.rba.gov.au/PublicationsAndResearch/Bulletin/bu_oct98/bu_1098_2.pdf Australian Monetary Policy in the Last Quarter of the Twentieth Century]. ''Reserve Bank of Australia Bulletin'', October<br>

{{mnb|Parham2002|10}}Parham, D. (2002). [http://www.pc.gov.au/research/confproc/mrrag/mrrag.pdf Microeconomic reforms and the revival in Australia’s growth in productivity and living standards]. ''Conference of Economists'', Adelaide, [[1 October]] <br>

{{mnb|ABS6202|11}} Australian Bureau of Statistics. Labour Force Australia. Cat#6202<br>

{{mnb|ABS2005|12}}Australian Bureau of Statistics. [http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/1a79e7ae231704f8ca256f720082feb9!OpenDocument Year Book Australia 2005]<br>

{{mnb|DFAT|13}} Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2003). ''Advancing the National Interest'', [http://www.dfat.gov.au/ani/appendix_one.pdf Appenidix 1]<br>

{{mnb|ABS2001|14}}Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2001 Census, [http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[e-mail]/ddc9b4f92657325cca256c3e000bdbaf/7dd97c937216e32fca256bbe008371f0!OpenDocument A Snapshot of Australia]<br>

{{mnb|DIMIA|15}}Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affiars. (2005). [http://www.immi.gov.au/facts/06evolution.htm The Evolution of Australia's Multicultural Policy]<br>

{{mnb|PoA2005|16}}Parliament of Australia, Senate (2005). [http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/legcon_ctte/expats03/ Inquiry into Australian Expatriates]<br>

{{mnb|NCLSattsurvey|17}} [http://www.ncls.org.au/default.aspx?docid=2250&track=82083 NCLS releases latest estimates of church attendance], National Church Life Survey, Media release, [[28 February]] [[2004]]<br>

{{mnb|AFC|18}}Australian Film Commission. What are Australians Watching?, [http://www.afc.gov.au/gtp/freetv.html Free-to-Air, 1999-2004 TV]<br>

== External links ==

{{portal}}

{{commons|Australia}}

{{Wikinews|Australia}}

*[http://www.gov.au/ Australian Governments Entry Portal]

*[http://www.virtualaustralia.com/australia/photos/ Australia Photos]

*[http://www.australia.gov.au/ Commonwealth Government Online]

*[http://www.immi.gov.au/ Department of Immigration]

*[http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/australia/index.html DFAT: Country Information]

*[http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-27.000000,133.000000&spn=38.871300,61.703613&t=h&hl=en Satellite images of Australia] (Google Maps)

*[http://www.nla.gov.au/ National Library of Australia]

*[http://www.nma.gov.au/ National Museum of Australia]

{{Continent}}

{{Pacific_Islands}}

[[Category:Australia|*]]

[[Category:Continents]]

[[Category:Island nations]]

[[Category:Members of the Commonwealth of Nations]]

[[Category:Monarchies]]

[[Category:Oceanic countries]]

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