Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
323153792
label
Australia Research--Quotes/Color n.d. [OA 7565] [6]
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
323153792
contentType
document
title
Australia Research--Quotes/Color n.d. [OA 7565] [6]
citationUrl
identifierLocal
13791-010
collections
Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Speech Backup Chronological Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
323153792
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
e51e84c6d47ab40c
ocrText
Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S; 2003-0345-F
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Backup Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13791
Folder ID Number:
13791-010
Folder Title:
Australia Research--Quotes/Color n.d. [OA 7565] [6]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
26
22
2
2
EXCERPTS FROM JOHNSON SPEECHES. (JOHNSON FIRST PRES TO VISIT
AUSTRALIA.)
From Johnson speech in Canberra (October 21, 1966) --
"
he serves his nation who understands his times. "
Johnson also relayed these words of a Chinese philosopher:
"Of a great leader, who talks little,
When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,
They will all say
'We did this ourselves!"
Non-isolationism reference from Johnson speech (October 22,
1966 at Art Gallery in New
South Wales) : "I have had an old lesson reinforced in my
mind during the past few days that I have been away from my
country. A great society cannot end at the water's edge in
New York or in Los Angeles -- nor can it end at the water's
edge in Sydney or in Perth. A truly great society can exist
only in a great and unifying world that is dedicated to
bringing out the best in people from all over the world.' "
More color --
Letter excerpt from convict after arriving in Australia:
"Blessed and sweet Liberty, that I had been doomed to
forfeit in a place of unparalleled torture and sin, now
appeared to me in all its grandeur."
Possible tie-in with yesterday's anniversary of our Bill of
Rights. The Constitution for the Commonwealth of Australia
came to force on January 1, 1901 (POTUS speech on January 2
-- 91 years later -- an anniversary reference also)
The first landing of convicts occurred in 1788, with the
arrival of the First Fleet at Botany Bay -- "the Noah's ark
of small-time criminality" -- and continued until the last
ship in 1868
"Australia is so good that, just tickle her with a hoe, and
she laughs with a harvest." -- Douglas Jerrold
Thomas Paine said at the time of our country's great
Revolution -- "If there must be trouble, let it be in my
day, that my child may have peace."
IAN WILCOCK
Assistant Secretary
Americas Branch
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
A-2-S, Administrative Building
Parkes, ACT, 2600
Telephone: (06) 261 2711
AUSTRALIA
Facsimile: (06) 261 2176
viii
Highlights '91
ix
Highlights '91
once held cargoes of wheat and wool for sailing ships. More
than 3,000 hotel rooms are planned for the Darling Harbour
area, and half of them are already under construction. With
few sites left in the waterfront and central areas of the city,
After steady growth through the 1980s, the Australian
developers have turned their attention to the south, where
tourist industry received a nasty jolt in 1989 when a domes-
a number of neglected buildings present opportunities for
tic airlines strike crippled travel within the country. The
retail and hotel complexes. Largest of these is the World
effects of the strike are still reverberating through Austral-
Square, a massive block of shops, offices, and serviced
ia, and many hotels, restaurants, and small businesses from
apartments on the corner of George and Goulburn streets,
Queensland to Western Australia have folded in its wake.
which won't be finished before the mid-1990s. A question
The problem has been exacerbated by an economic reces-
mark still hangs over the 550-room hotel originally pro-
sion that has plunged many large resorts into receivership
posed for the site. Farther south, the area surrounding
and forced developers to halt construction on scores of
Central Station is likely to become the city's moderately
others. (For this reason, it is doubly important that travel-
priced- and budget-accommodation district, with several
ers call ahead to verify lodging information listed in this
hotels already being built. Elsewhere in the city, the com-
guide.) The Australian Tourist Commission is optimisti-
pletion of the landmark $100 million Nikko Hotel in mid-
cally forecasting a return to the 10% annual growth that
1990 promises to bring a dash of style back to a neglected
marked the 1980s, but until the tourist industry regains its
corner of Kings Cross.
momentum, travelers can benefit from very low rates
The pollution that has been a depressing feature of Syd-
across the country.
ney beaches as well as a political nightmare for the state
Tourism in Australia will again be impacted by the airlines
government should become a thing of the past in 1991.
Lengthened ocean sewage pipes combined with more effec-
in November 1990, when deregulation comes to Australian
tive sewage treatment plants should ensure that water-
skies. The effects of this move are uncertain, but lower
borne effluent will cease to be a major concern for Sydney
airfares (at least in the short term) are likely-and highly
beach goers by the summer of 1990. An exciting develop-
desirable-in a country where domestic airfares have al-
ment on the sports scene is the completion of the Eastern
ways been prohibitively expensive. Established airlines
Creek racing circuit on the western outskirts of the city. In
already have dropped prices on special tickets by as much
1991, the circuit will take over from Victoria's Phillip Is-
as 50%, and some incredible bargains are to be found. More
land as host of the Australian 500 c.c. Motor Cycle Grand
international carriers, too, are now being given landing
Prix.
rights in Australia, including Swissair, Gulf Air, American
Airlines, Aeroflot, and perhaps Virgin.
Melbourne and Melbourne has been hard hit by the downturn in the Aus-
Victoria tralian economy, and several enormous building projects
Sydney Sydney has witnessed the construction of a spate of new ho-
have been put on hold or shelved altogether. Foremost
tels recently, but the future of many remains uncertain due
among these is the $350 million Eden Melbourne Hotel, on
to the recession, and some of the hotels may never be com-
the corner of Exhibition and Bourke streets. Construction
pleted. Waterfront areas such as The Rocks and Darling
of the foundations has been halted, and a parking lot is now
Harbour are the sites of several new luxury properties
slated to be built in the hotel's place. In addition, three
slated to open in late 1990 or early 1991. Among these is the
other hotels that were planned for the Central Business
Park Hyatt on Sydney Cove, a 159-room hotel right on the
District have been scrapped. On a brighter note, hotels and
water in the shadow of the Harbour Bridge. Rooms in this
restaurants-notably the Regent of Melbourne and Miettas
low-rise, $95 million resort will start at $375 per night. The
Restaurant-have begun offering jazz on Sundays; perfor-
prestigious Ritz-Carlton chain has arrived in Sydney with
mances are listed in the weekend newspapers. Theater,
not one but two hotels. A 106-room property on Macquarie
too, has become more sophisticated in Melbourne, and visi-
Street, close to the Opera House and Circular Quay, will be
tors should make an effort to see a production by the
the first to open. A slightly larger Ritz-Carlton hotel, set in
Melbourne Theatre Company.
the suitably chic waterfront suburb of Double Bay, is
scheduled to open in December 1990.
Adelaide and Scheduled for completion in 1992, the Estcourt House Re-
South Australia sort Hotel promises to bring a touch of class to the Adelaide
The city side of the Darling Harbour development is the
beachfront suburb of Tennyson, 10 kilometers (6 miles)
setting for the luxury Corn Exchange Hotel, which opens at
northwest of the city. The 1850s mansion will form the nu-
the end of 1990. Despite its impressive size-656 rooms
cleus of a luxury 150-room hotel on the sand dunes
plus extensive conference facilities and shops-the hotel
overlooking the beach. Mid-1991 is the scheduled comple-
has merged successfully with the historic warehouses that
tion date for the Savoy, a 100-room deluxe hotel on Gilbert
Highlights '91
x
Highlights '91
Place, at the center of Adelaide's restaurant and nightlife
in Victoria to Georgetown (near Launceston) in
district. On the northwestern edge of the city center, the
Designed to carry 300 passengers and 120 cars, th
brand-new Entertainment Centre in Hindmarsh will be-
ran will complete the journey in 4½ hours-10
come the home of indoor sports in Adelaide upon
than the time taken by the Abel Tasman ferry.
completion in March 1991. The $42 million center is also ex
Northern A new wilderness retreat has just opened in the
pected to give the city a large-scale concert space and
provide additional capacity for the Adelaide Festival Cen-
Territory peninsula north of Darwin. Called Seven Spirits (
tre. Opening late in 1990 near the Central Market, the
Darwin, NT 0801, tel. 089/81-6844), this upsc
emphasizes the environment and nature and is
Chinatown Development will add a whole new range of Ori
only by plane from Darwin. Daily rates are $50
ental dining options to the Argentine, French, and seafood
son, and the food and the individual "habitats" (c
restaurants already established in the area. Adelaide Air-
among the best in Australia.
port's new terminal, which is expected to ease crowding
when airline deregulation takes effect in November 1990,
Western Australia The first part of Lord Alistair McAlpine's new pi
brings the airport up to date with sky-bridge facilities link-
Coral Coast Resort in Exmouth, is scheduled to 0
ing the major domestic carriers.
1991. The British lord with an appetite for thing
lian is attempting to duplicate his success with
Queensland Queensland has become a major international gateway to
Cable Beach Resort at Broome. Like Cable Beacl
Australia, providing convenient service to travelers head-
al Coast Resort will employ a colonial/homestea
ing for the Great Barrier Reef and the state's beaches and
its 250 studio apartments, 50 chalets, and 50 c
tropical rain forests. The new Cairns international airport
ums. The resort eventually will feature a golf
is handling many more flights from new carriers as well as
free form swimming pool, and a marina on Exn
the old ones, and international traffic to Cairns alone has
with access for private vessels. The town of Exp
increased by 25% in the past year; the new Brisbane inter-
miles nor th of Perth, owes its existence to the co
national airport is experiencing a similar rise in air traffic.
of an American naval base there in the early 196
Despite the recent surge in service, however, the state is
it is home to some of the finest game fishing in th
still struggling to overcome the devastating effects of the
domestic airlines strike.
The World Swimming Championships are bein
Per th in January 1991. More than 2,000 competit
The Great Most of the Great Barrier Reef resorts went through hard
pected to attend the biggest sporting event in E
Barrier Reef times in late 1989 and early 1990. The saving grace has been
the Commonwealth Games in 1962. The champio
a sharp rise in visitors from Asia, and although many re-
include swimming, water polo, diving, and syr
sorts changed hands or were put up for sale, standards have
swimming. A long-distance event (15 miles) will
been consistently maintained. At the same time, special
in the Swan River, from Burswood Island to Poi
incentive rates offered by the resorts have meant that
tion.
values are better than ever, and tourists are treated like
honored guests. There was some fear that the Great
Barrier Reef was being damaged by divers, illegal Tai
wanese fishing boats, and a plague of crown-of-thorns star-
fish that feed on coral. Today, diving is much more con-
trolled on the reef, and several Taiwanese fishing boats
have been confiscated as part of Australia's get-tough pol-
icy; the starfish scourge abated as mysteriously as it ap-
peared.
Tasmania The airline strike may have affected Tasmania the most of
all the states because air travel is the major means of reach-
ing the island. Many establishments dependent on the
tourist dollar shut down, and many others lost 75%-90% of
their business. Visitors are slowly returning, but their
numbers are nowhere near what they were before the
strike. Consequently, it's an ideal time to see Tasmania, be
cause visitors are almost guaranteed hotel reservations
and a minimum of crowds at major tourist sights. In Decem-
ber 1990, International Catamarans launches its new 245-
foot aluminum ferry, which will make trips from Welshpool
Services of Mead Data Central, Inc.
PAGE 5
3RD STORY of Level 1 printed in FULL format.
Copyright (c) 1990 Globe Newspaper Company;
The Boston Globe
December 23, 1990, Sunday, City Edition
SECTION: SPORTS; Pg. 47 P
LENGTH: 4932 words
HEADLINE: Any way you look at it, 1990 was a knockout;
In a year that packed some surprising punches, almost no corner was safe for
sport's heavyweights
BYLINE: By Ron Borges, Globe Staff
BODY:
The biggest sports story of 1990 was a knockout, SD perhaps that explains
the phenomenon of a year in which everyone who was anyone seemed to end up a
sudden KO victim.
There was the fighter who couldn't be beat, Mike Tyson, flat on his back, his
mouthpiece dangling from his lips like a broken cigar.
There was the baseball team that couldn't be beat, the Oakland A's, being
overwhelmed 50 easily it seemed the Taiwanese Little League team had grown up
and moved to Cincinnati.
There was the defense that couldn't be beat, Denver's, routed by halftime in
Super Bowl XXIV by the 49ers, a team that really can't be beat.
There was the hockey team that wouldn't be beat, the Bruins, flattened by the
Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final.
There was the basketball team that seemed unlikely to be beat, the Celtics,
suddenly out of the playoffs after blowing a 2-0 lead to become the first 3-2
loser to feel like it had been swept.
There were the owners who never get beat being beaten out of every dime they
ever made by the men who play, and often not all that well, for them.
There were the tennis stars who couldn't be beat, Martina Navratilova and
Steffi Graf and Ivan Lendl, all flattened in Grand Slam events.
There was the organization that refuses to be beat, the NCAA, left
unconscious by Jerry Tarkanian and UNLV's Runnin' Rebels twice in six months.
Yes, 1990 was a year filled with knockouts, lockouts, blowouts and
kicked-outs. Here are a few knockout highlights:
STUNNED
MIKE TYSON: The baddest heavyweight in the world found out what it was like
to be just a bad heavyweight when he went to Tokyo and got bombed as if Jimmy
Doolittle was still flying. A nondescript heavyweight named James (Buster)
Douglas overcame the death of his mother, abandonment by his wife and serious
LEXIS'NEXIS'LEXIS'NEXIS
Services of Mead Data Central, Inc.
PAGE
6
(c) 1990, The Boston Globe, December 23, 1990
illness of his son's mother to spend 10 rounds hammering upon the head of the
formerly undefeated Tyson. First Douglas closed one of Tyson's eyes, then in the
10th round, he closed them both with a four-punch combination that shook the
world. It shook Tyson and Don King so much they cried foul, claiming Douglas
received a long count when knocked down by a desperation Tyson uppercut in the
eighth. "The first knockout totally obliterated the second knockout!" King
screamed. Fortunately, only the Japanese chose not to totally obliterate King's
claim.
OAKLAND A's: The computerized dynasty of the '90s got its wires crossed when it
ran into 25 old-fashioned guys from Cincinnati whose owner was more concerned
that her team wear baseball caps with floppy ears to honor her dog in the World
Series opener than that they computerize their scouting reports. The A's had the
best pitcher in baseball, Dave Stewart, as well as American League Cy Young
winner Bob Welch. They had the highest-paid player in the game, Jose Canseco.
They had the American League MVP in Rickey Henderson and the National League
batting champion in Willie McGee, who came over from St. Louis late enough to
become the first player to win a batting title in one league while playing in
another. What they didn't have was a world championship, because Canseco's back
went out, shortstop Walt Weiss' knee went out, manager Tony La Russa's computer
went out and Cincinnati's Jose Rijo and Billy Hatcher went out of their minds.
Rijo was singularly unimpressed by the A's, noting "When you get here, you're
there." When the hopeless Reds were done, baseball experts wept because their
A's had been swept.
NCAA: Obsessed with trying to keep collegiate sports pure despite the recruiting
cesspool big-time powers wallow in, the NCAA spent 13 years trying to bag UNLV
basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian for 1977 recruiting violations. The NCAA got
him, but Tarkanian took it to state court in Nevada and won; so the NCAA took
him to federal court and finally won when it banned UNLY from defending the
national title it won last year by the largest margin in Final Four history.
But, bowing to heavy pressure, the NCAA caved in and told Tark his team could
serve its time later. That wouldn't be because UNLV has four starters back and
the network wants to 52e them, would it? Nah.
CELTICS: Just when it seemed Jimmy Rodgers had his team on track, it got knocked
out by a big kid from Cambridge. Leading the New York Knicks, 2 games to 0,
including a 157-128 massacre, the Celts not only lost three straight but the
final defeat came at the Garden, where the Knicks had lost 26 consecutive games.
"I'm in shock," Larry Bird said. He should have been, after missing a reverse
dunk that would have cut New York's lead in Game 5 to 2 with 4:17 to play. The
ball shot off the rim and halfway upcourt, where the Knicks took it and scored.
Boston never recovered and neither did Rodgers. He was fired two days later with
Red Auerbach saying, "This had nothing to do with the New York series. = Of
course not.
BRUINS: After rampaging through the playoffs, including a 4-1 domination over
old nemesis Montreal, the Bruins went into the Stanley Cup finals with home ice
and great confidence. But they never recovered from a Game 1 triple-overtime
knockout supplied by little-used Oiler Petr Klima. Klima's wrist shot beat Andy
Moog at 55:13 of OT, ending the longest game in finals history. Edmonton went on
to win its third Cup in four years, 4-1, with ex-Bruin goalie Bill Ranford
supplying the knockout punch with the stingiest goalkeeping in 20 years.
RED SOX: They battled all season to win the AL East and then got crushed by the
A's in four straight. What could you expect from a team that hits into two
triple plays in one game and six double plays in the next and wins both - but
later loses one of its best pitchers, Mike Boddicker, to free agency while the
brass is in Australia. "Don't people take vacations?" asked club official John
Harrington after Boddicker announced he was jumping to Kansas City the day
LEXIS' NEXIS'LEXIS NEXIS
Services of Mead Data Central, Inc.
PAGE
7
(c) 1990, The Boston Globe, December 23, 1990
Harrington and the Sox owners returned from the South Pacific.
ANYONE RATED NO. 1: Fifteen college football teams received No. 1 votes this
fall and three of the top six going into the Bowls - Georgia Tech, Florida and
Texas - were not even in the Top 20 in preseason. Why the indecision? Because a
half-dozen teams were beaten senseless after becoming No. 1. "This season has
been complete chaos," said Texas coach David McWilliams. Unless, of course, you
were delivering the blows, as Stanford fullback Tom Verdell helped do to Notre
Dame. "Maybe the poor teams are just sick of losing," he theorized.
ANDY HAWKINS: A lot of guys can't get a break, but this was ridiculous. Hawkins
was one of nine major league pitchers to throw no-hitters this year but he was
one of the handful in history to lose in the process. His 4-0 loss was made
possible by his teammates' three eighth-inning errors. Aptly named third baseman
Mike Blowers' error plus two walks loaded the bases with two outs. Then left
fielder Jim Leyritz dropped a fly ball and three runs scored. Then right fielder
Jesse Barfield lost a fly in the sun and a fourth run came home. "I'm stunned,"
Hawkins said. "When you pitch a no-hitter you expect jubilation." He should have
expected the worst, because in his next outing, Hawkins pitched 11 scoreless
innings and lost and 11 days later he was the losing pitcher in Melido Perez'
rain-shortened no-hitter.
BRENT MUSBURGER: This was as big a KO as Tyson. After 22 years, Musburger was no
longer "here, LIVE" at CBS. Early in the year, he said he was elated that he
would have the chance to broadcast baseball. He didn't expect it would be the
Little League World Series on ABC. When his dismissal was announced on April 1,
the Associated Press held the story for two hours believing it an April Fools
joke.
MELDRICK TAYLOR: He had the biggest win of his career locked up over undefeated
Julio Cesar Chavez, whom many acknowledge as pound-for-pound the finest fighter
in the world. Taylor boxed Chavez silly for 11 rounds, 2 minutes and 58 seconds.
Unfortunately, championship fights last a full 12 rounds. Chavez finally dropped
him with a right hand so sweet it should have given Taylor diabetes. Instead he
got TKO'd when referee Richard Steele stopped the fight with Taylor swaying on
the ropes. Although controversial, it seemed a good decision when it was learned
Taylor swallowed two pints of his own blood from a cut mouth, had the bones
around his left eye fractured and was hospitalized for dehydration. When Dan
Duva pointed out Taylor hadn't lost the blood, he'd just swallowed it, a press
box wiseguy said, "Did it go back where it came from?"
TKOs
CAMEROON: The Indomitable Lions were a 500-1 shot to win the world's biggest
soccer tournament but became the first black African team to win a World Cup
match by upsetting defending champ Argentina and went on to just miss a
semifinal berth, losing to England, 3-2, in overtime after four of their players
were ejected. A 30-year-old woman from Bangladesh committed suicide after the
loss, saying, "I leave this world now that Cameroon has left the Cup." That
seemed kind of extreme.
WAYNE LEVI: The Connecticut golfer became America's top-rated player last year
although you had to wonder how. Levi failed to make the cut in seven of the 18
tournaments he entered. Of course, he also won four, which was twice as many as
Greg Norman or Payne Stewart, and a pile of greenbacks.
KEN SIMS: This guy can't stay out of trouble even when he's home. Sims was
busted for cocaine possession in Texas while speeding with a stripper by his
side and two more waiting at home. When the cops asked for the overweight Sims'
license, he dropped the evidence, scooped it up and tried to do what he did best
- eat it. End of Sims' days with the Patriots, although it was not their
bleakest day in New England this season.
LEXIS'NEXIS'LEXIS'NEXIS
Services of Mead Data Central, Inc.
PAGE
8
(c) 1990, The Boston Globe, December 23, 1990
HALL THOMPSON: He changed the complexion of golf when he said Shoal Creek
Country Club would never allow a black member. Since Shoal Creek was scheduled
to host the PGA Championship this year, a few million people took note. This
started a chain of events that forced the PGA to announce its tournaments would
no longer be played at clubs with exclusionary policies. Shoal Creek soon
admitted Louis Willie, an Alabama businessman whose brother Charles, a Harvard
professor, said, "That's the way we were raised. We give people the Willies."
That didn't satisfy everyone. "An honorary member has no say," said black golfer
Lee Elder. "I've gotten honorary doctorates. That doesn't make me a doctor."
Soon Augusta National admitted its first black to ensure the Masters would not
be moved and Tom Watson quit the Kansas City Country Club when a Jewish
applicant was rejected. Six months earlier, Watson had said, "I think a private
club has the privilege of allowing whomever it wants in."
J.C. LOUDERBACK: While refereeing the Colorado-Missouri football game,
Louderback and his crew allowed the Buffaloes a fifth down, on which they scored
the winning touchdown to avoid an upset on the game's last play. This kept
Colorado's national championship hopes alive and killed the idea of
sportsmanship when born-again Colorado coach Bill McCartney refused to give back
the win, saying, "We refuse to apologize for this victory in any way, shape or
form" because Missouri's field was slippery and thus gave them an "unfair"
advantage. As for Louderback, the referee said, "We erred." He wasn't alone.
DETHRONED CHAMPIONS
PAT RILEY: An end of an era came not with the retirement of Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar but with the mysterious conclusion of the Lakers'r a dismal loss in
San Francisco, the manager who brought six division titles to St. Louis quit,
saying, "I was totally embarrassed by the way our team played." At the time St.
Louis was 33-47 and ranked 11th in hitting and 10th in pitching. Reason enough
to leave.
STEFFI, MARTINA and IVAN: Tennis' perennial No. 1s all got their comeuppance
this year. Graf's health and personal life were in a shambles when her father's
affair with a Playboy model became public knowledge. Deeply affected, Graf was
beaten at Wimbledon by 66-1 shot Zina Garrison. Graf's 66-match winning streak
had already been broken by 16-year-old Monica Seles in the German Open.
Navratilova won her ninth Wimbledon to break the record she shared with Helen
Wills Moody but she couldn't get back to No. 1 and ended the year on an
operating table. Lendl's streak of reaching the US Open final for eight years
was snapped and so was his stranglehold on No. 1.
FALLEN HEROES
PETE ROSE: The all-time hit leader got a new number - 01832-061 - the one
they gave him when he began serving a five-month sentence in federal prison for
tax evasion. "Today we are not dealing with the legend," Judge S. Arthur Spiegel
said during sentencing. Already banned from baseball for life for gambling, Rose
then had to watch the team he managed into the ground in Cincinnati win the
World Series.
GEORGE STEINBRENNER: The Boss was finally brought down by a small-time gambler
named Howard Spira who was paid $ 40,000 to gather damaging information on Dave
Winfield. Whatever he got wasn't worth the price because it knocked Steinbrenner
out of control of the Yankees per order of commissioner Fay Vincent, who forbade
Steinbrenner to run the team. Spira will be honored with a float in Macy's
Thanksgiving Day Parade.
RANDY BARNES: He became the first American to break the world record in the
LEXIS'NEXIS'LEXIS NEXIS
Services of Mead Data Central, Inc.
PAGE
9
(c) 1990, The Boston Globe, December 23, 1990
shot put since 1976 when he lobbed it 75 feet 10 1/4 inches. But several months
later, Barnes tested positive for steroids and was banned from international
competition a la Ben Johnson.
GO FOR WAND: The 3-year-old filly broke her ankle in the Distaff at the
Breeders' Cup sprinting for home. After tumbling to the turf, she arose and
limped bravely to the finish line with her hoof dangling sickly at her side
before collapsing again. She was one of three horses who had to be destroyed
during the most tragic Breeders' Cup since the event began, but it was that kind
of sad year in racing. The sport also lost two of its greatest sires, Alydar and
Northern Dancer, one of its great tracks when Suffolk Downs did not open for the
first time in 56 years and one of its greatest jockeys when Bill Shoemaker
retired after finishing fourth in a special Legends Last Race designed just for
him. One of the few bright spots was the FBI's race-fixing sting operation at
Finger Lakes Course. It caught no one, but the horse it bought for 5,000 won a
race.
LOW BLOWS
RACISM: It wasn't all on the golf course. There was a goodly measure of it
in Wellesley, where seven police officers backed the Welcome Wagon over Celtics'
No. 1 draft choice Dee Brown. Brown was in town looking for a house but was
mistaken for a bank robber. In Wellesley, they assume even bank robbers drive a
Mercedes. But Wellesley was not alone. Bruins farmhand Graeme Townshend, who is
black, got into a;
battle with the Rangers' Kris King after King made a racial comment to him that
caused Mike Milbury to call timeout to discuss the issue with his team.
Meanwhile, Arizona voters rejected Martin Luther King's birthday as a holiday,
which led the NFL to remove the Super Bowl from Phoenix.
PISTON FANS: In a real example of civic pride, eight people died and 169 were
arrested in Detroit following the Pistons' victory over the Portland Trail
Blazers for the NBA title. Twenty-six were treated for gunshot wounds. They
party hearty in Detroit, because similar things happened when the Tigers won the
World Series in '85, although only one death occurred. Of course, when England
was eliminated from the World Cup, riots broke out in 30 towns, requiring 600
arrests, SO all things are relative.
BOB ENGLE: The National League umpire made his last "caught stealing" call after
24 years in the majors April 24 when he was arrested in a retail store in
Bakersfield, Calif., for stuffing seven boxes of baseball cards in the front of
his pants and trying to leave. He was surprised anyone noticed. The cards, worth
$ 143.98, cost Engle a $ 100,000 career, which doesn't seem fiscally
responsible.
ROSEANNE BARR: This time, it wasn't over when the fat lady sang. It was only
beginning. After Barr butchered the national anthem before a Padres game on
Working Women's Night, even President Bush was forced to take note. "It was
disgraceful," Bush said. To which Barr replied, "I'm sorry I didn't sing it too
good, but I'd like to hear him sing it."
STILL PUNCHING
HALE IRWIN: No one thought he could win the US Open at 45, and history was
not on his side. But Irwin became the first man to win the Open in sudden death
(after he and Mike Donald tied through the first 18 playoff holes), and he got
50 excited he won the Buick Open the following week. Although Nick Faldo would
win two of the other majors, including a defense of his Masters title, the
golfing world was Hale-ing Irwin.
LEXIS'NEXIS'LEXIS'NEXIS
Services of Mead Data Central, Inc.
PAGE 10
(c) 1990, The Boston Globe, December 23, 1990
GEORGE FOREMAN: Fat and over 40, Foreman is on his way to being rich. His
three-year comeback culminated in an agreement to fight heavyweight champion
Evander Holyfield next April, when George will be 43. A preacher by trade after
retiring from boxing 10 years ago, the former heavyweight champion has won 24
straight, 23 by KO, including a quick destruction of Gerry Cooney that made him
legitimate in the public's eyes (although one wonders how, since Cooney was
never legitimate). Regardless, Foreman knocked him out in less than two rounds,
saying, "Normally I don't like to hit a man when he's too dizzy, but I just
couldn't play around with him." He probably had a dinner engagement.
CECIL FIELDER: The only Japanese import applauded in Detroit, Fielder brought
his portly 250 pounds back from the Japanese Leagues after struggling with
Toronto. Fielder hit just 31 homers in parts of four seasons with the Blue Jays
before going to the Hanshin Tigers in 1988. He returned to Detroit this year,
clubbed three homers on March 28 as a warning and then went wild. He twice hit
three homers in a game, finishing with 51 to make him only the 11th player to
hit 50 in a season. He became one of only three players to ever clear the roof
at Tiger Stadium, drilling a Dave Stewart pitch so far the A's pitcher remarked,
"I'm just glad no one got hurt in Iraq."
UCONN: In a sad college basketball season that saw the national champion nearly
KO'd by an NCAA investigation and the death from heart failure of one of the
game's finest players in Loyola Marymount center Hank Gathers, Connecticut
supplied some joy before it, too, was KO'd. Picked to finish seventh in
preseason, the Huskies won the Big East and reached the NCAA East final when
Tate George sank a 17-foot jumper after catching a length-of-the-floor pass with
one second left to beat Clemson. Unfortunately, Duke's Christian Laettner did
much the same to UConn in overtime with a double-clutch 16-foot jumper at the
buzzer to knock off Cinderella.
GEORGE ALLEN: At 72, the ex-Redskin and Ram coach took over a losing football
program at Long Beach State and led it to a 6-5 record. "It was my finest
coaching job," Allen said. But not his last.
DERRIKE COPE and ARIE LUYENDYK: In 67 previous Winston Cup starts, Cope had
never finished in the top five, but he won the Daytona 500 when Dale Earnhardt
got a flat after leading for 155 of the 200 laps. Soon thereafter, Luyendyk,
winless in 75 Indy-car races, beat Bobby Rahal in the fastest Indy 500 win in
history.
3 WHO WOULDN'T BE BEAT
EVANDER HOLYFIELD: After waiting nearly two years for his shot at the
heavyweight title, Holyfield made short work of Buster Douglas. Douglas had gone
on a feeding frenzy after beating Tyson, ballooning to 246 pounds. Trouble
seemed on its way when Douglas said before the fight he enjoyed his new workout
regimen because he could eat all the fried chicken he wanted. Reportedly he also
could eat all the pizzas he wanted, including 12 at one sitting at The Mirage
hotel in Las Vegas. Fittingly, he KO'd Douglas with a shot to the mouth.
GREG LEMOND: Trailing by nearly 10 minutes in the Tour de France's early going,
he came within five seconds of the leader in the 17th of 21 stages but got a
flat, and all appeared lost. But LeMond took the lead with a day to go and won
his third Tour de France in five years. Speaking of Tours de Wherever, the Tour
de Trump ended in Boston this year with Mexico's Raul Alcala beating a
19-year-old Russian amateur named Vladislav Bobrik after Bobrik led for seven
days.
THE 49ERS: When Denver wide receiver Mark Jackson learned his Broncos were 12
1/2-point underdogs in Super Bowl XXIV, he said, "Where do they come up with
those numbers?" By halftime, Jackson knew. The Niners led, 27-3, which was not
LEXIS'NEXIS'LEXIS'NEXIS
Services of Mead Data Central, Inc.
PAGE 11
(c) 1990, The Boston Globe, December 23, 1990
a good sign since Denver had not given up more than 28 in a game all year. "I
didn't think they could score that many points on us," defensive coordinator
Wade Phillips said after the Niners finished off a 55-10 victory that was their
second straight Super Bowl win. Joe Montana completed 22 of 29 for 297 yards and
a record five TD passes. The 49ers' performance did not impress Viola Delores
Douglas, though. Angry that her fiance switched the channel from a Disney movie
to the Super Bowl, she stabbed him in the neck with a barbecue fork. She's
serving 10 months while the Niners will be trying to three-peat.
ASSORTED STIFFS
Lamar Lathon, a first-round pick of the Houston Oilers with a bad knee,
hedged his bet by insuring his leg for $ 500, 000 before the draft so he could
work out for various teams without fear of injury. Only problem was, Lathon was
informed by his insurance agent three weeks before the draft that he'd insured
his left knee. Unfortunately, he'd had surgery on his right knee in the fall of
1989
Boxing promoter Diana Lewis staged a fight in Wisconsin with
washed-up former junior welterweight champion Aaron Pryor even though he was
blind in one eye. "He's still got another," Lewis said. The ensuing controversy
led Marlene Cummings, head of the Wisconsin Licensing Department, to say,
"Handicapped people should not be penalized for their handicaps." Sounds like
she's watched a lot of fights
Argentine soccer star Diego Maradona blamed
his country's 1-0 World Cup loss to West Germany on the Mafia. The fact he
failed to score had nothing to do with it
The Celtics scored 6 points in
the second quarter of a loss to the New Jersey Nets
San Francisco tackle
Steve Wallace was called for four false starts in the 49ers' Monday night opener
against New Orleans
Jets cornerback Tony Stargell learned referees do not
tolerate rookies. He was penalized three times on one play against Miami
Poor William Goss. A distance runner from the Falkland Islands, he was lapped
five times in a 000-meter race at the Commonwealth Games
The
Washington
Capitals fired coach Bryan Murray and replaced him with his brother, Terry,
which took sibling rivalry in a new direction
The Kansas City Royals spent
$ 16 million on free agent pitchers but barely escaped last place. To show how
bad things were at Royals Stadium, the team's management neglected to put Frank
White in the lineup on Frank White Day, later issuing a public apology to their
longtime second baseman
Jennifer Capriati began to rise in women's tennis
before she entered the ninth grade. With the wins came endorsement contracts,
including an Oil of Olay commercial. At 14?
John McEnroe became the first
player in 85 years to be ejected from the Australian Open. "I can't say I'm
surprised,' McEnroe said
The Los Angeles Clippers had the ball stolen 20
times in a loss to Cleveland
North Carolina State's Tom Gugliotta missed
two free throws, made a turnover and tapped in the game-tying basket by mistake
for Duke in less than two minutes of an eventual 85-82 loss
иа.
On May 28,
Roger Clemens and Charlie Hough engaged in a work stoppage. Between them, they
made 51 pickoff throws
New Mexico State ended the nation's longest
football losing streak at 27 by beating Fullerton State, 43-9. "It's good to
pass it along to somebody else," New Mexico State coach Jim Hess said. He passed
it along to Fullerton, losers of 11 in a row
In one of the worst collapses
in US Women's Open history, Patty Sheehan blew an 11-stroke lead over the final
36 holes, giving away eight shots in 14 holes with six bogeys and a double bogey
Pitcher Billy Swift was hit on the head by a line drive that bounced into
the stands and was declared a ground-rule double
Ex-BC assistant Kevin
Mackey, coaching at Cleveland State, was busted for cocaine possession, put
himself in rehab and was fired. "I led two lives," Mackey said. "My wife is a
saint. She lived with a devil.'
The Celtics had to postpone completion
LEXIS®
NEXIS
Services of Mead Data Central, Inc.
PAGE
12
(c) 1990, The Boston Globe, December 23, 1990
of a game with Atlanta because of condensation on the parquet floor resulting
from high temperatures
Oregon State fumbled on its first six possessions
of the second half V5. Nevada-Las Vegas. Fortunately, wagering on local teams is
not allowed in Nevada
Jockey Sylvester Carmouche was caught hiding his
horse in heavy fog at Delta Downs and then smuggling him into a race from the
backstretch. Landing Officer sprinted to a 20-length win but it didn't fly. "The
camera must have missed my horse," Carmouche said at a hearing in which he was
suspended for 10 years
The Nets' Chris Dudley made lowlight films
everywhere by missing 17 of 18 free throws in a 124-113 loss to Indiana
The San Francisco Giants struggled all year with pitching woes, but it never got
worse than a May 11 loss in which two Phillies pitchers went 3 for 5 ...
Jim
Valvano was forced to resign after 10 years as basketball coach at North
Carolina State over allegations his players had received payments from boosters
and shaved points in games. He quickly signed a three-year deal with ABC worth $
900, a year, thus profiting from a bankrupt athletic program. One college
president called the TV deal "nauseating.
In a sign of the times,
Mississippi allowed its game with Tennessee to be moved from Oxford to Memphis
when a grocery store chain guaranteed the school $ 1 million. Ole Miss coach
Bill Brewer called it "the biggest game in the school's history." They lost it,
22-13. So much for home-field advantage.
KNOCKOUT WINNERS
Akeem Olajuwon became the third player in NBA history to score a
quadruple-double but had it taken away when one of his 10 assists was
disallowed. Angered, Olajuwon came back 26 days later to do it again against
Milwaukee
Atlanta won the 1996 Summer Olympics
Williams College
rolled on, posting the longest winning streak in college football at 21 straight
Pete Sampras may be only 19 but he can retire now. Sampras crushed Andre
Agassi to become the youngest US Open winner in history and then won a $ 2
million purse in the Grand Slam Cup final. "I'm just a normal 19-year-old with
an unusual job," Sampras said. That's one way to look at his life
Harvard's women's lacrosse team won the NCAA title over Maryland, finishing
undefeated
The Norwell girls' track team won the Class D championship for
the sixth straight year
Rosa Mota won her third Boston Marathon in four
years, which had 'em smiling in Portugal
Boston University won the Beanpot
and later joined Boston College in the NCAA Final Four, although both were KO'd
before the title round
Rocket Ismail isn't the only guy in college
football who can fly. Central State of Ohio freshman Marvin Coleman returned
kicks for 98- and 92-yard touchdowns against Fort Hays State in an NAIA playoff
game
San Diego got to keep the America's Cup after a two-year court
battle with New Zealand. The latter got miffed when the former showed up with a
catamaran to answer New Zealand's giant monohull
Bentley's
women's
basketball team reached the Division 2 NCAA final before being stopped by Delta
State
Brett Hull poured in 72 goals, 14 more than his Hall of Fame father
Bobby ever scored in a single season
Nolan Ryan won his 300th game and
threw his sixth no-hitter
#..
Barry Bonds won the National League MVP and
became the first player in history to hit 30 homers, steal 50 bases, hit .330,
score 100 runs and drive in 100 runs. He did not deliver the clubhouse mail,
however
Winchester's girls' soccer team was rated No. 1 in the country and
won the Division 1 state title
Harvard's crew won the Lady Challenge plate
at the Henley Regatta
Jennifer Peacock battled back cancer and returned to
the Villanova field hockey team to be named MVP in the Big East tournament and
lead her team to a stunning title win
Ex-Bruin Fernie Flaman was named to
the NHL Hall of Fame 29 years after his retirement
Catholic Memorial won
LEXIS'NEXIS'LEXIS'NEXIS
Services of Mead Data Central, Inc.
PAGE 13
(c) 1990, The Boston Globe, December 23, 1990
the state Division 1 hockey title for the fourth time in five years
The
Sox got 12 doubles in one game, which is a lot of doubles
...
Lawrence boxer
James Johnson, who got into boxing only because he wanted to spend a free
weekend in Canada several years ago and smuggled himself on a bus filled with a
Flint, Mich., boxing team, won the gold medal in the National Sports Festival . .
Bill Nixon won his 300th game as Oliver Ames' basketball coach ... Before
being cut by the Red Sox, gimpy Bill Buckner stroked an inside-the-park homer
against the Angels, which led pitcher Mike Flanagan to remark, "His wheels need
a front-end alignment.
Lisa Leslie of M [TEXT OMITTED FROM SOURCE]
GRAPHIC: PHOTO
LEXIS NEXIS'LEXIS'NEXIS
USIS
With Compliments
Jennifer Grossman
more backsonned Color-
Best reguds
Margaro Entank
United States Information Service
Sydney
SENT BY:U. S. INFO. SERVICE :28-10-91 ; 16:36 ; CANBERRA AUSTRALIA USIS SYDNEY AUST. # 1
United States Information Service
USIS
National Press Club Building
16 National Circuit
Barton, A.C.T. 2600
FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION
Tel. (062) 70 5966
Fax (062) 73 3051
Telex 62690
TO: USIS Sydney -3ff Margaret
FROM: U715 canbera
DATE:
10/28
SUBJECT:
Presidential speech
REFERENCE:
Telen 10/28
Same of the following
might be reseful
TOTAL OF ( ) PAGES INCLUDING COVER SHEET
7
28-10-91
16:37
CANBERRA
AUSTRALIA
USIS SYDNEY AUST.
New Worlds for Old
Cook had observed but not explored. On 26 January he broke out the Union
Jack on the site of Sydney, overlooking sheltered waters he declared to be "the
finest in the world, in which a thousand sail of the line may rest in perfect
security." Two days earlier, the Comte de Laperouse's ships Astrolabe and
Boussole had arrived off Solander Point. They entered Botany Bay on
26 January, the day Sydney was founded.
Laperouse had sailed from France in August 1785, nearly two years before
Phillip and his ships left Portsmouth. The Comte's sailing orders, endorsed by
Louis XVI, included an instruction to "take a closer view of the southern
coast of New Holland, the greater part of which has never been visited." He
had no instructions to visit Botany Bay or the eastern coast of New Holland
but repaired there for wood and water. Phillip received the French ships
courteously and gave them what assistance he could. They sailed from Botany
Bay on 10 March and were wrecked a few weeks later in the New Hebrides,
not a man surviving.
There is no evidence that either Prime Minister Pitt or any member of his
cabinet thought of Botany Bay as anything more than a convenient place
distant enough for the safe disposal of social waste. Governor Phillip had a
greater sense of destiny. "As I would not wish convicts to lay the foundations
of an empire," he wrote on 28 February 1787, before sailing for Botany Bay.
"I think they should ever remain separate from the garrison and other settlers
that may come from Europe and not be allowed to mix with them
James Matra, who had been with Cook at Botany Bay in 1770, also had
intimations of a more glorious Australian future. He saw Australia as
another America, a new jewel in the diadem of Empire to replace the one lost
when American patriots declared their independence. As a Loyalist, Matra
saw New South Wales as a possible "asylum to those unfortunate American
loyalists, who Great Britain is bound by ties of honour and gratitude to protect
and support.
Matra had problems himself. On his return from Cook's first
voyage he had left the navy and obtained appointment as British Consul in
Teneriffe. When the American troubles began he returned to New York to
look after the family estate, his father having died. It was a time when
American patriots regarded an American Tory as "a thing whose head is in
England and its body in America, and its neck ought to be stretched between."
Matra not only failed to regain his New York estate but complained that he
was denied a share of the British allowance granted to Loyal Americans.
On 28 July 1783, he wrote to Joseph Banks asking for particulars of two
rumored plans of settlements in the South Seas, one of them in New South
Wales. He said he had "frequently revolved similar plans" and sought advice
from an influential man who had been Cook's patron and his own fellow-
traveler. Encouraged by Banks, on 23 August 1783, Matra submitted a plan
to North's Coalition Government for a settlement in New South Wales. He
19
SENT BY:U. S. INFO. SERVICE
:28-10-91
;
16:38
CANBERRA AUSTRALIA-
USIS SYDNEY AUST. ;# 3
e United
ath O E
of the N
robbed t
Jon
2 New Worlds for Old
the commine
in -omm
mor ting
volution $
ment has
adly chara
Australia's First Fleet, with pioneers far different from the godly Puritans who
ians of bo
had founded New England 158 years before, arrived at Botany Bay on between
ned up an
18 and 20 January 1788. The Governor, Captain Arthur Phillip, R.N.,
a time AWL
London-born son of a German teacher, was fifty and had been at sea since he
intries 5.1
was fifteen. He had charge of a company of about fifteen hundred people, more
than half of whom were convicts, transported in eleven ships whose combined
IS book do
tonnage was less than that of a modern transatlantic liner.
onological
"The wind was fair, the sky serene, though a little hazy, and the temperature
mes of dev
II
delightfully pleasant," wrote Captain Watkin Tench, of His Majesty's
orical The
Marines, in his Narrative of the Expedition; "joy sparkled in every counten-
cdotal style
ance, and congratulations issued from every mouth. Ithaca itself was scarcely
and hist
more longed for by Ulysses, than Botany Bay by the adventurers who had
viduale in
travelled so many thousand miles to take possession of it."
blems the
The voyage had taken eight months and one day, and the distance sailed
tralia, and
was 15,063 miles. Captain Tench's adventurers, who included 191 women
iulus to th
convicts, had not sparkled with joy throughout the trip. "The desire of the
cal backgro
women to be with the men was so uncontrollable, that neither shame
nor
countries.
the fear of punishment could deter them from making their way through the
bulkheads to the apartments assigned to the seamen," wrote Surgeon-General
John White in his Journal.
"The damned whores the moment they got below fell a-fighting amongst one
another," wrote Marine Lieutenant Ralph Clark, "and Captain Meredith
ordered the sergeant not to part them, but let them fight it out They are
a
disgrace to their whole sex, b-s that they are." Men convicts, who feared the
lash, were easier to manage. "I believe I may say," wrote Surgeon Arthur
Bowes, "there was never a more abandoned set of wretches collected in one
place. However, Lieutenant Clark asserted that by and large the prisoners
"have behaved very well and quiet."
Captain Phillip took one hard look at Botany Bay, which Cook and Joseph
Banks had praised, and moved into neighboring Port Jackson, through the gap
18
SENT BY:U. S. INFO. SERVICE :28-10-91 16:39 CANBERRA AUSTRALIA- USIS SYDNEY AUST. ;# 4
New Worlds for Old
sts-
Lord Sydney's suggestion to Matra that New South Wales might be "a
stany
proper region for the reception of criminals" reflected the persistent and
n the
increasing problem brought about by the loss of the American colonies. In
tegic
mid-1783 a contractor tried without success to induce Virginia and Maryland
to take as plantation laborers 150 of the thousand or more convicted felons
had
awaiting transportation. Economic distress and the consequent increasing
reaty
incidence of crime added to a problem which a fifty percent increase in
was
executions did little to allay. The Government could not afford to await the
a an
outcome of deliberations and proposals from jail and penal code reformers
:gion
such as Howard, Blackstone, Eden and Bentham. Some distant jail had to be
ingly
found quickly.
ators
As early as 1779, Joseph Banks had told a committee of the House of
was
Commons that Botany Bay would make an ideal site for the reception of
silk
convicted felons. Distance and isolation would make escape difficult if not
laval
impossible. The natives were few and would be easily cowed. The climate
was Mediterranean in comparison with the fever coast of Africa. There were
here
no beasts of prey and sheep and oxen would thrive. There were abundant
gest
supplies of wood and water. Seven years passed before Banks's recommenda-
rica.
tion was adopted. Meanwhile, other influential voices had spoken up in favor
the
of New South Wales rather than Gambia, in West Africa, which Edmund
ates-
Burke condemned as "the capital seat of plague, pestilence, and famine."
that
When Pitt at last acquiesced, Lord Sydney moved with commendable rapidity
ven-
in despatching Captain Phillip with eleven ships containing 568 male convicts,
had
191 female (with 13 children) and four companies of marines, 160 men plus
poly
51 officers and N.C.O.s, 27 with wives.
rom
In due course free settlers arrived but no one among them was inspired to
Id a
prophesy as John Winthrop had prophesied aboard Arbella, bound westward
across the Atlantic in the spring of 1630 to found Massachusetts Bay Colony:
the
"Wee shall be as a Citty upon a Hill, the eies of all people are upon us; soe
over
if wee shall deale falsely with our god in this worke wee have undertaken wee
the
shall be made a story and a by-word through the world." However, young
any
James Tuckey, lieutenant aboard the ship which took the first unwilling con-
had
vict settlers into Port Phillip Bay (the future Melbourne) and Hobart Town
ists.
in October 1803, was not without dreams for the future.
nes.
"I beheld a second Rome," he wrote in his account of the voyage, "rising
erty
from a coalition of banditti. I beheld it giving laws to the world, and superla-
lists
tive in arms and in arts, looking down with proud superiority upon the bar-
the
barous nations of the northern hemisphere." This was Johnsonian rhetoric
In
rather than serious prophesy but before long colonists and native-born from
inc-
Sydney Town and Hobart Town were not only competing with Americans in
on
the exploitation of southern seas but thinking of themselves as Australians,
with a future more akin to the American future than the commonplace and
21
SENT BY:U. S. INFO. SERVICE
:28-10-91 16:41
CANBERRA AUSTRALIA
USIS SYDNEY AUST. ## 5
lustralia and America 1776-1976
The
wealth
out of
tion
Australia and America 1776-1976
ession
impen
Austra
11
subservient role allotted them by the British Government and Colonial Office
stable
panjandrums.
norts
Meanwhile, news passed throughout the Pacific, from China to Peru, from
Kamchatka to the Falkland Islands, that the British had settled New South
we
Wales. The news was confirmed for Samuel Shaw in Canton when three of
other
the convict transports-Charlotte, Lady Penrhyn and Scarborough-arrived
In
under charter to the East India Company to load tea for England. Shaw did
iemor
not know that officialdom had decreed that His Majesty's Government intended
leyolu
to prevent by every possible means "every sort of intercourse between
mmer
Botany Bay or any other place
established on the coast of New South
roadly
Wales
and the settlements of our East India Company, as well as the coast
irians
of China and the islands situated in that part of the world to which any
pened
intercourse has been established by any European nation."
1-11
This attempt on the part of the British Government to safeguard the East
untri
India Company's monopoly was doomed to failure. As in the American
colonies so lately liberated, immediate necessity rapidly swamped long-range
his bd
policy. Nevertheless, more than four years passed before the first American
ronol
ship, Philadelphia, Captain Patrickson, out of Philadelphia and via the Cape
times
of Good Hope, berthed in Sydney on 1 November 1792, with a cargo that was
toric
snatched up by a commodities-hungry settlement. By 1800 British traders,
ecdot
kept away from Sydney by the East India Company monopoly, were protesting
that American shippers were monopolizing a market that should rightly belong
an
lividu
to British enterprise. By then, the American sealer Hope of Rhode Island,
blem
Captain Benjamin Page, had landed the first cargo of rum and helped start a
strait
process that turned a penal colony into a settlement where military officers,
emancipated convicts and one or two enterprising intruders demonstrated the
nulus
Ical b
virtues and vices of an unregulated free economy in which the richest were
cour
usually the most ruthless exploiters of market opportunities and human
weakness.
The myopic gaze of George III and his ministers saw nothing in the sun-
dazzled seas of the south except a prison that needed no locks or keys and a
possible source of flax and stout-girthed pines to stamp with the broad arrow
that meant exclusive use as masts in royal men-of-war. Blinking through salt-
rimmed lashes, shrewd eyes that first saw the light in Salem, Marblehead, New
Bedford, Rhode Island, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, discovered much
more than the bare outline of a barren coast. They saw possibilities that King,
Lords and Commons, in their corporate capacities, had no eyes to see. There
were, however, individuals enough in and out of the East India Company with
sufficient nous to see that the two new worlds, that had sprung phoenix-like
from the smoldering embers of the old, promised ample warmth and stimulus
for those with brains and ability enough to benefit. The past was slowly dying
22
SENT BY:U. S. INFO, SERVICE :28-10-91 ; 16:42 ; CANBERRA AUSTRALIA- USIS SYDNEY AUST. ;#
6
4
Wide Open Spaces
Within Cumberland County, New South Wales, the summer of 1813 was
desperately dry. Fires swept the parched herbage and leapt from treetop to
treetop in bushland between orchards and grazing paddocks. Farmers and
graziers alike faced ruin and looked to the government to save them.
Macquarie, who came from the island of Mull and preferred industrious ex-
convicts to trading military men or greedy land-owners, decided that the
time had come to open up the passage to the west and provide a new field of
endeavor for the hard-working. Governor Macquarie, like Matra, Phillip and
Bligh before him, had dreams of an Australian Arcady but they were different
dreams from those of the colony's Ancient Nobility or, as things turned out,
of the authorities "at home."
For Lachlan Macquarie, Australia was a sanctuary in which the outcasts
of civilization could begin life anew-under strict Macquarian supervision.
Macquarie was at heart a Highland laird and he believed in benevolent
autocracy. He had been commissioned ensign in Canada, the year after the
Declaration of Independence, and served with the 71st Highland Regiment
in New York and Charleston, before returning to Scotland where he found
his family struggling with their farm at Oskamull after the hard famine years
of 1781-3. After a further seventeen years' active service in India, he had
reached Australia as Governor of New South Wales in December 1809.
According to his own account, Macquarie found the colony "barely
emerging from an infantile imbecility; the country impenetrable beyond
forty miles from Sydney, agriculture languishing, commerce in its early dawn,
revenue unknown, famine threatening, and (everything) mouldering to decay."
With the help of the talented convict architect Francis Greenway, he trans-
formed Sydney from a few "nasty, dirty-looking houses", a squalid dumping
ground for convicts, into a dignified maritime Georgian town where decent
men and women could lead decent lives if they had the will to do so. "This
country," the Governor wrote, "should be made a happy home to every
emancipated convict who derserves it.
52
CANBERRA AUSTRALIA-
USIS
SYDNEY
SENT BY:U. S. INFO. SERVICE
:28-10-91
;
16:43
;
Australia and America 1776-1976
comparable with the efforts being made in the United States during the same
decade.
Sturt succeeded in knitting together all the threads of a vast river system
draining a territory as great as France and Germany combined. When he
reached the junction of the Darling and the Murray, he rowed some way up
the broad clear river which on his previous expedition, 300 miles upstream,
he:had found a desolate salt ooze seeping through drought-stricken wilderness.
"An irrisistible conviction impressed me," Sturt wrote, "that we were now
sailing on the bosom of that very stream from whose banks I had been twice
forced to retire. I directed the Union Jack to be hoisted, and giving way to
our satisfaction we all stood up in the boat and gave three distinct cheers.
It was an English feeling, an ebullition, an overflow, which I am ready to
admit that circumstances and situation will alone excuse."
From then on, so far as New South Wales was concerned, explorers and
sheepmen simply had to fill in the gaps. Major Thomas Livingstone Mitchell,
the colony's Surveyor-General, set out to prove Sturt wrong. Instead, he
confirmed the existence of the river-system Sturt had disclosed. He discovered
that the succession of salt pools the Darling at first appeared to be, became
after a good season, a free-flowing river of sweet water which joined the
Murray, as Sturt had claimed. The Darling River Aboriginals proved hostile.
"Implacably hostile and shamelessly dishonest" Mitchell called them. Several
were killed or wounded in an affray. On his third and most important expedi-
tion Mitchell again had trouble with Aboriginals. His party killed seven in
an affray near the Darling. On his return journey, south of the Murray, he not
so much discovered as revealed the Western Districts of what is now Victoria,
calling the area "Australia Felix", so great was the contrast with the watershed
of the Darling.
"A land so inviting and still without inhabitants!" he exclaimed in Three
Expeditions into the interior of Eastern Australia. "As I stood, the first
European intruder on the sublime solitude of these verdant plains, as yet
untouched by flocks and herds, I felt conscious of being the harbinger of
mighty changes, and that our steps would soon be followed by the men and
animals for which it seemed to have been prepared
Here was an almost
boundless extent of the richest surface in a latitude corresponding to that of
China, yet still uncultivated and unoccupied by man. A great reserve,
provided by nature for the extension of his race, where economy, art, and
industry might suffice to people it with a peaceful, happy, and contented
population."
From the top of a high mountain, on his way home, Mitchell saw, in the
heat-haze of an Australian summer, what he fancied to be a mirage, "white
objects which might have been tents." It was no mirage. The "white objects"
were indeed tents, the encampment of John Batman from Van Diemen's Land
78
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7021 11-12-91 ; 21:30 ;
062705940-
CCITT G3;# 4
USICA
OFFICIAL
TEXT
9
TRANSCRIPT OF PRIME MINISTER FRASER'S AND
UNITED STATES
VICE-PRESIDENT BUSH'S REMARKS FOLLOWING THEIR
INTERNATIONAL
MEETING TOGETHER AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE IN
COMMUNICATION
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, APRIL 30, 1982.
AGENCY
PRIME MINISTER FRASER: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
THIS ISN'T A FORMAL OR A FULL SCALE PRESS
AMERICAN
CENTERS:
CONFERENCE BECAUSE I THINK THE VICE PRESIDENT IS
GOING TO BE IN YOUR TENDER CARE OVER LUNCH TIME,
NATIONAL PRESS
AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO LISTEN TO HIM AND ASK HIM
CLUB BUILDING
16 NATIONAL CIRCUIT
QUESTIONS. BUT I DO WANT TO SAY PUBLICLY HOW
BARTON
MUCH WE WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY FOR DISCUSSIONS
A.C.T. 2600
WITH VICE PRESIDENT BUSH. WE WELCOME ALSO THE
TEL: 73 3799
EMPHASIS THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS PLACED ON
T& G TOWER
CONSULTATIONS, NOT ONLY WITH AUSTRALIA, BUT WITH
HYDE PARK SQUARE
PARK & ELIZABETH STREETS
COUNTRIES IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC. THE VICE
SYDNEY
PRESIDENT'S VISIT HAS TAKEN IN JAPAN, KOREA,
N.S.W. 2000
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND, AND IS GOING BACK
TEL: 235 7044
THROUGH CHINA. AT A TIME WHEN THERE IS so MUCH
LBERT ROAD
INTEREST AND ATTENTION BEING FOCUSED ON THE
r.d. BOX 507
WESTERN ALLIANCE AND EUROPEAN AFFAIRS, IT'S
SOUTH MELBOURNE
VICTORIA 3205
CERTAINLY GOOD TO KNOW THAT DISCUSSIONS WITH THE
TEL: 699 2244
PACIFIC ARE GIVEN A PROPER PLACE. WE'VE HAD
VERY USEFUL DISCUSSIONS THIS MORNING. THERE IS
246 ST. GEORGE'S TERRACE
PERTH
NO NEED TO SAY THAT THEY HAVE BEEN MORE THAN
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6000
FRIENDLY DISCUSSIONS, FOR I THINK THAT WOULD BE
TEL: 322 4466
EXPECTED. THERE ARE A GREAT MANY ISSUES IN
WHICH THERE IS A REAL MEASURE OF AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND AUSTRALIA. WE
DISCUSSED THE MATTERS THAT HAVE ARISEN DURING
THE VICE PRESIDENT'S VISIT, THE PROBLEMS OF THE
WESTERN ALLIANCE, THE PROSPECTS FOR THE UNITED
STATES' ECONOMY, AND THE AUSTRALIAN ECONOMY.
OBVIOUSLY WE ALSO DISCUSSED THE FALKLAND ISLANDS
AND THE PROBLEMS THERE. I JUST WANTED TO SAY
PUBLICLY HOW MUCH WE WELCOME YOU AND MRS. BUSH
AND YOUR PARTY HERE TO BE AMONGST US. PERHAPS
YOU'D LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING.
VICE PRESIDENT: I WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND, MR.
PRIME MINISTER, TO THANK YOU AND MEMBERS OF YOUR
CABINET.
WE
HAD
A
LONG
FRUITFUL
MEETING/DISCUSSIONS, FRANK, AND IN OUR VIEW,
RELAXED. I SPEAK HERE WITH CONFIDENCE FOR THE
SENT BY:U. S. INFO. SERVICE :28-10-91 ; 6:59 ; CANBERRA AUSTRALIA- USIS SYDNEY AUST. ;# 1
United States Information Service
National Press Ctub Building
USIS
16 National Circuit
Barton, A.C.T. 2600
Tel. (062) 70 5956
Fax (062) 73 3051
Telex 62690
FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION
TO: USIS Sydney-
FROM: USIS Canberra
DATE: 10/28
SUBJECT: URGENT
*
*
REF:
Please pass to Lew Luchs
today - he is expecting
it.
NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING COVER SHEET ( ( 12 ,
SENT BY:U. S. INFO. SERVICE :28-10-91 ; 6:59 : CANBERRA AUSTRALIA- USIS SYDNEY AUST. :# 2
MEMORANDUM
October 21, 1991
TO:
USIA Washington, D.C. - David Hitchcock, Director, EA
FROM:
USIS Canberra - Lewis R. Luchs, CPAO
SUBJECT: U.S. - Australia Historical References
Attached are brief descriptions of U.S. - Australian links
during the past 200 years. The order is, roughly,
chronological.
The final page lists Australians who have achieved prominence
in the U.S.
Another copy of this fax document will be sent to you via APO
today.
SENT BY:U. S. INFO. SERVICE :28-10-91 ; 7:00 ; CANBERRA AUSTRALIA- USIS SYDNEY AUST. ;# 3
AUSTRALIA - U.S. HISTORICAL LINKS
1700-1800
When Captain Cook's ship the "Endeavour" sailed from Plymouth,
England in 1768, two Americans were on board: Second
Lieutenant John Gore and Midshipman Mario Matra. This was the
voyage during which Cook discovered Australia. As loyal
officers in His Brittanic Majesty's Royal Navy, Gore and Matra
wanted nothing to do with the "seditious republicanism" taking
place in America. To overcome a crew shortage, another
American, a young sailor, was press ganged into joining the
voyage.
The first U.S. ship to enter an Australian port was the
"Philadelphia." a trader en route to Canton via the Cape of
Good Hope. The "Philadelphia" arrived in Sydney in 1792.
Subsequently, American trading ships, usually bound for China,
appeared in Port Jackson for supplies. Ships with spirits and
provisions for sale sometimes traded with the colony. This
was against regulations but the colony periodically suffered
from near starvation due to delays in the arrival of the
British ships. During the first 20 years of settlement in the
colony of New South Wales, foreign trade was confined almost
entirely to the United States. Before 1800 as many as 16
American ships entered Sydney Harbor. American contact with
Australia was not limited to the eastern seaboard. In Western
Australia, in 1792, two American whalers from Nantucket landed
in Shark Bay.
1800-1900
From 1800 to 1811, during the years preceding the outbreak of
the second war between England and America, at least 42 ships
came to Australia under United States colors. The increase in
American activities in Australian waters just after 1800 was
due mainly to the discovery of seals in Bass strait. It has
been said that Governor Philip Gidley King and the merchant
community of Sydney became disturbed at the potential effect
of American operations on trade. Disputes between American
and local sealers arose, and finally the Governor, concerned
at the assistance given to escaped convicts by the U.S.
sailors, imposed regulations by which the anchorage of foreign
ships in Port Jackson was restricted to one area, Neutral Bay,
to prevent illegal trading and the "seizure of convicts". In
1804 America sealers were barred from Australian coastal
waters; in any case, large areas of the sealing grounds had
almost been fished out.
Trade with the U.S. became less profitable and ceased with the
outbreak of the war of 1812. Transactions later resumed and
by 1833 several American merchants had appointed agents in
Australia. Meanwhile, whaling operations continued to grow.
The peak years were between 1830 and 1850 when the whalers
worked the waters around New Zealand, South Australia and
Western Australia. Port facilities were often greatly
improved in order to accommodate these ships. By 1841, 25
American whaling ships were operating out of Albany in Western
Australia.
- 1 -
SENT BY:U. S. INFO. SERVICE :28-10-91 ; 7:00 ; CANBERRA AUSTRALIA- USIS SYDNEY AUST. :# 4
Whaling and sealing were much more than picturesque episodes
in American-Australian relations. An Australian historian,
Thomas Dunbabin, reminds us that in every Australian state
except NSW and Queensland, whalers and sealers played an
important part as the pioneers and forerunners of settlement.
At a time when no one had penetrated more than fifty miles
inland, whalers, sealers and sandalwood traders had explored
and exploited the vast recesses of the Southern Ocean and
provided the first important articles of Australian export.
In May 1836, President Jackson appointed J.H. Williams as the
first American Consul in Australia. Mr. Williams arrived from
Boston on 10 January 1837. The "Colonist", a newspaper of the
day, said:
"We welcome his arrival with unfeigned goodwill, regarding it
as a pledge of increasing intimacy between the two countries,
from which mutual advantages may be expected to flow. The
spirit of commercial enterprise was never perhaps, more
energetic, adventurous, and persevering, in any nation, than
it is now in the United States of America. It is the
presiding genius of all their maritime towns, shaping their
plans, animating their exertions, moulding their laws,
polishing their manners, expanding their intellect, and
raising then to municipal wealth and national eminence.
Scarcely is there a sea which their ships do not plough, or a
port in which they do not ride..."
In December 1839, Sydneysiders had their first visit from the
U.S. Navy a peaceful one. ships of the U.S. Surveying and
Exploring Expedition under command of Commodore Charles Wilkes
berthed in Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) to refit and enjoy
Christmas. His civilian scientists on board went to many
places while in Australia. They made a significant
contribution to the scientific study of Australian geology,
anthropology and zoology.
When gold was discovered in California in 1848, the ports of
eastern Australia were well placed to exploit the California
market. In early 1849 ships began leaving Australia for
California. Those who had shipped goods to California in
January had little accurate information about the San
Francisco market, and sent mostly the obvious necessities of
food and clothing; flour, stores, soft goods, blankets and
clothing formed the bulk of the shipments.
Several merchants also left on those first ships to establish
branches of Sydney firms in San Francisco. In August one of
the first Sydney vessels to leave for California returned.
The news, though not uniformly good, was definitely
encouraging. Demand for shipping space increased and the
shipments included other items such as building materials and
coal. Sydney, Hobart, Launceston, Newcastle, Melbourne and
Adelaide were all involved in California trade over the years
1849-1851. Emigrants went from all these ports. Australian
exports to California during the years 1849-1851 were valued
at almost 350,000, of which 185,000 was from NSW. Many
people came back after 1851, but many stayed and settled in
California or elsewhere in the U.S. In 1853, an American took
the seeds of fourteen species of eucalypt (commonly known as
"gum trees"). back to California. Before the end of the
century there were well-established eucalyptus plantations in
California, Arizona, New Mexico and Florida.
- 2 -
INFO.
SERVICE
;28-10-91
7:01
CANBERRA AUSTRALIA- USIS SYDNEY AUST. is 5
Gold was discovered in Australia in 1851, thereby checking
emigration to the U.S. By the end of 1851 Californians were
arriving in Sydney and Melbourne by the hundreds. Before
1850, American migration to Australia had been insignificant,
but in the years 1851-1856 more than 18,000 persons arrived in
Sydney and Mebourne from America. All were labeled
Californians and were suspect because Australian concepts of
"Yankee democracy" were as misconceived as American concepts
of Australian crime. In California, Americans had tended to
regard all Australians as ex-convicts. In Victoria,
Australians regarded Americans as pistol-touting advocates of
lynch law and mobocracy.
On 10 August 1852, the British Consul in Philadelphia had
written a confidential despatch to the Foreign Secretary
quoting American press reports to the effect that the growing
American exodus to Australia would strengthen republicanism in
Australia.
The role of foreigners in that important event in Australian
history, the Eureka Stockade, has been the subject of debate
from the eve of the rebellion right up to the present. The
Eureka Stockade was an armed clash between gold diggers and
the Victorian military and police forces. The miners had a
number of grievances: they were not enfranchised; they were
not represented in the Legislative Council; and land for
settlement was not readily available to them. The chief
grievance, however, was the licensing system whereby miners
paid 30 shillings per month for the right to dig for gold.
The miners were overcome in the clash with a number being
killed. A Commission of Inquiry later abolished the license
fee, established an export duty on gold, and recommended that
miners be issued with a document costing 1 pound per annum,
constituting the miner's title deed to his claim.
Although historians claim that it is difficult to truly
unravel the complete role of the Americans at Eureka, some
points should be noted.
of the American community resident in Victoria in 1854, almost
35% were living in Melbourne and Geelong, mostly engaged in
the import trade. The American merchants in Melbourne were
distinguished for their patriotism, but their commercial
interests were such that they were unlikely supporters of any
minority republican movement. The U.S. Consuls throughout the
1850s belonged to this merchant group and represented their
interests. From the point of view of the Consul and the
merchant community, any involvement of American citizens in
the goldfields unrest was undesirable since it might prejudice
diplomatic relations and, therefore, commercial relations.
However, it appears that some Americans on the goldfields were
engaged in a movement to establish an Australian republic.
American miners at Ballarat formed a guerilla corps, the
California Rangers, which was to participate if fighting
commenced. News of a gold strike in Peru reduced their
numbers sharply, but those remaining formed the California
Rangers' Revolver Brigade. It was present at the Eureka
fighting, but little is known of the part that it played.
- 3 -
SENT BY:U. S. INFO. SERVICE
:28-10-91
7:02
CANBERRA
AUSTRALIA-
USIS SYDNEY AUST. :# 6
Following the great growth of exports to the California
goldfields, the discovery of gold in NSW and Victoria caused
Australia to become an importer and the value of Australian
exports fell sharply during 1850-1851. Several American
companies established branches in Melbourne and Sydney. The
vigorous, progressive methods of American firms caused concern
in British circles. American hardware was better than that
sent out by the English merchants, and American stoves,
carriages and sewing machines proved popular with the
Australian public.
In 1853, George Train, a future independent candidate for the
presidency of the United States, then a brash young man of 24
and a member of a prominent Boston shipping company, arrived
in Australia. Boston was already the center of an important
export trade to California, Australia and South America.
Train wasted no time in establishing lively, profitable
businesses in Victoria. As well as importing items such as
axes, hoes, canned goods, kerosene and buggies, Train also
owned a fire company, with two Boston-made engines, and a
commercial exchange. Train also promoted the Cobb and Co.
coaches. Freeman Cobb arrived from Boston in 1853 with
coaches adapted for Australian conditions. Train claimed that
he loaned Cobb the money to start Cobb and Co., the company
that dominated outback Australian road travel for the next
fifty years. Cobb and Co. began business in 1854. The
original operators were all young Americans who had learned
the trade working with one or other of the two leading
American express or carrying companies, Wells Fargo and the
Adams Express Comany.
An American trained-engineer, S.W. McGowan, built the first
electro-magnetic telegraph line in Australia from Port Phillip
Heads and Geelong to Melbourne. Also in Melbourne, Americans
were active in agitating for better roads and in providing
better carriages to drive on them. In later years, Americans
played a leading role in the introduction of omnibuses, cable
trams, and in modernizing Victorian, NSW and South Australian
railways.
In 1853 Victoria imported goods to the value of 1,669,000
from the U.S., 10.4% of its total imports. In the same year,
NSW imported goods to the value of 270,000 from the U.S.,
4.4% of its total imports. Over half the imports to both
states came from the United Kingdom. But throughout the gold
rush decade, from 1853-1861, America held firm to its second
place in the Australian market.
When the American Civil War interrupted the regular arrival of
supplies, American businessmen played an important role in
stimulating the growth of Australian tobacco, fruit-growing
and mining industries. Trade in flour and provisions ceased
in the 1860s and the timber traffic declined; oil and
machinery became the principal items of commerce.
American precedent was widely used in the early arguments
about tariff protection to infant industries. Local
protectionists deduced from the parallel development of
tariffs and industry in the United States the conclusion that
the two had a direct causative connection, and argued that the
easiest way to industrialize Victoria was to introduce a high
protective tariff against imported manufactures. Others were
able to point out the growing dissatisfaction of American
manufacturers with their own tariff and their increasing
demand for a reduction in import duties, as a proof of the
need for free trade.
- 4 -
SENT BY:U. S. INFO. SERVICE :28-10-91 ; 7:02 ; CANBERRA AUSTRALIA- USIS SYDNEY AUST. :# 7
In January 1865, the armed Confederate cruiser "Shenandoah"
arrived in Victoria. This event engendered considerable
excitement in the colony. American Civil war exploits were
well known in Australia, as Sydney and Melbourne newspapers
reported them in full. The captain of the "Shenandoah", Lt.
Commander James Waddell, was granted permission to purchase
coal and provisions, and to have repairs carried out on a
damaged propeller-shaft bearing. The ship was also sorely in
need of crew.
Melbourne provided few sailors, but the people of the city
took the crew of the "Shenandoah" to their hearts. They were
lavishly entertained; some officers were made members of the
exclusive Melbourne Club. Meanwhile the United States Consul
unsuccessfully requested the Admiralty Court to order the ship
to leave port and to release subjects allegedly held in the
crews' quarters. Waddell remained firm. He refused to allow
police to board and search his vessel. A police cordon around
the ship prevented Australian labor from helping move the
"Shenandoah," but it also prevented pro-Yankees in Melbourne
from blowing up the vessel.
By mid-February 1865, the ship had taken on provisions and had
been repaired. She steamed out of Port Phillip and in the
next eight months, captured 38 Yankee ships, took 1000
prisoners and caused damage amounting to US$6,500,000.
Cultural links between Australia and the U.S. persisted
throughout the the 19th century. A young American couple,
J.C. Williamson and his wife, Maggie Moore, came to Australia
in the 1870s. In the 1880s they joined with two Englishmen
and set about bringing many famous European and American acts
and stars to Australia.
Henry Adams in 1891 and Mark Twain in 1895 mistook Australia's
cordial easy-going ways and open-minded receptiveness to
technology for Americanization. "The Australians did not seem
to me to differ noticeably from Americans, either in dress,
carriage, ways, pronunciations, inflections, or general
appearance", reported Mark Twain. "There were fleeting and
subtle suggestions of their English origin, but these were not
pronounced enough, as a rule, to catch one's attention".
Upon entering Sydney Harbor via ship, Twain was asked by a
local citizen what he thought of it. "I said it was beautiful
- superbly beautiful. Then by a natural impulse I gave God
the praise. The citizen did not seem altogether satisfied.
He said:
'It is beautiful, of course it's beautiful the harbor; but
that isn't all of it; it's only half of it; Sydney's the other
half, and it takes both of them together to ring the
supremacy-bell. God made the Harbor, and that's all right;
but Satan made Sydney.'
Remarking upon the climate, Twain said: "A person ought to
see Sydney in the summer time if he wanted to know what warm
weather is; and he ought to go north ten or fifteen hundred
miles if he wanted to know what hot weather is. They said
that away up there toward the equator the hens laid fried
eggs. Sydney is the place to go to get information about
other people's climates."
- 5 -
SENT BY:U. S. INFO. SERVICE ;28-10-91 ; 7:03 ; CANBERRA AUSTRALIA- USIS SYDNEY AUST. i# 8
In discussing New South Wales, Twain said: "It is a country
that is rich in mines, wool ranches, trams, railways,
steamship lines, schools, newspapers, botanical gardens, art
galleries, libraries, museums, hospitals, learned societies;
it is the hospitable home of every species of culture and of
every species of material enterprise, and there is a church at
every man's door, and a race-track over the way."
Another link between Australia and the United States during
the 19th century: from 1897 to 1898, Herbert Hoover, later to
become the 31st President of the United States, worked in
Western Australia as a young mining engineer on some of the
goldfield's biggest mines, including the Sons of Gwalia.
- 6 -
SENT BY:U. S. INFO. SERVICE :28-10-91 ; 7:03 : CANBERRA AUSTRALIA- USIS SYDNEY AUST. :# 9
1900-PRESENT
As the 20th century began, America began to have greater
impact on everyday Australian life.
It began with the growing import of American farm and mining
machinery, films, household gadgets, and motor cars. By 1912
Ford and General Motors were exporting wholly assembled cars
into Australia. In 1917 both Ford and GM began using an
increasing proportion of Australian manufactured body parts.
In 1925 the Ford Motor Company of Australia Pty Ltd began
assembling Model T Fords at Geelong, Vic. In 1926, GM
established a sales subsidiary, General Motors Australia Pty
Ltd.
In 1908 came the monumental success of a full dress visit from
the American fleet that involuntarily left several hundred new
Australian immigrants behind. When Japan defeated Russia in
the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, Australian statesmen and
newspapers openly condemned Britain's alliance with Japan and
made it clear that American assurances of protection would not
be unwelcome. The Prime Minister, Sir Edmund Barton, in
January 1901, visiting the mail-ship "Sierra", said that "like
the Americans, Australians naturally thought first of their
own, but next to them they thought of their kinship to
America." Alfread Deakin, in 1905, said that "Next to our own
nation we place our kindred in America."
In this context, one can appreciate the enthusiasm with which
the Australian Government, press and people welcomed the visit
of Rear-Admiral Charles S. Sperry, U.S.N., with 16 American
battleships - the Great White Fleet - in August and September
of 1908.
Pitt Street was renamed American Avenue for the week. A huge
papier mache "Mayflower" hid the facade of Customs House and a
replica of the Status of Liberty rose to a height of five
stories in front of the "Daily Telegraph" building. According
to the "Telegraph", one hundred thousand people crowded the
shores and headlands of Sydney Harbor to see the Great White
Fleet arrive. The flotilla, led by Admiral Sperry's flagship,
the "U.S.S. Connecticut," represented the biggest and best in
naval architecture and gunnery at the time.
The invitation sent to Roosevelt's Great White Fleet to
include Australia on its round-the-world voyage caused some
tension between Australia and Great Britain. Atlee Hunt,
permanent head of the Department of External Affairs, denied
in 1910 that the invitation to the American fleet was a sort
of international insurance policy against future trouble in
the Pacific. Some historians, however, argue that the aim of
the invitation was at least partly to provoke a similar
demonstration of British naval strength in the Pacific.
Further overtures to the U.S. in the form of an invitation to
Theodore Roosevelt to visit Australia on his proposed world
tour in 1909, after the end of his presidential term, provoked
annoyance within the British Colonial Office.
On the whole, however, friendly relations with the U.S. were
seen as a supplement to, not a substitute for, British
protection.
- 7 -
SENT BY:U. S. INFO. SERVICE :28-10-91 ; 7:04 ; CANBERRA AUSTRALIA- USIS SYDNEY AUST. #10
In 1912, Walter Burley Griffin, pupil of Frank Lloyd Wright,
won an international competition for the design of a new
federal capital, Canberra.
Griffin's original design grouped the city's functions into
five separate centers carefully located according to a "single
system of coordinate axes." This design was dismissed as too
extravagant by an economy-minded government, and was replaced
briefly by a different plan, which was later discarded. After
much controversy Griffin was appointed Federal Capital
Director of Design and Construction to supervise the building
of his altered design. His contract was renewed at intervals
up to the end of 1920, when, after disagreements with the
Government, his role was taken over by the Federal Capital
Advisory Committee, on which he refused to serve.
Griffin's private practice in Melbourne produced plans for the
towns of Griffith and Leeton in New South Wales, and other
community planning projects in Australia and North America.
He is also noted for his plans for the development of
Castlecrag in Sydney, a residential community designed to
preserve the natural environment of a bushland promontory in
Sydney Harbor.
Invited to design the library at the University of Lucknow,
Griffin went to India and died there in 1937.
In 1913, a flamboyant Canadian-born, American-educated
Minister for Home Affairs, King O'Malley, took part with the
Governor General, Lord Denman, and a Labor Prime Minister,
Andrew Fisher, in the official inauguration of the new
capital.
In September 1918, Australian and American troops fought
alongside each other in the main attack on the Hindenburg Line
which ended World War I, a battle experience to be shared
again in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.
Businessman, mariners, airmen, entertainers, athletes and
technicians continued to build links across the Pacific.
Charles Kingsford-Smith and Charles Phillippe Ulm, both
Australians, together with Americans Harold W. Lyon and James
Warner, flew the Pacific from the U.S. to Australia for the
first time in the plane "Southern Cross", a second-hand Fokker
bought from money borrowed from Hubert Wilkins, the
Australian-American explorer.
Australian-American links became even more strongly forged
during World War II. More than one million America servicemen
came through Australia during the war years. Some
12,000-15,000 Australian brides (one of them was Mrs. Caspar
Weinberger) of U.S. servicemen went to the U.S. and about 1000
American World War II veterans returned to Australia. In
Western Australia, Allied submarines operated out of the ports
of Albany and Fremantle. Over 30 submarines operated out of
Albany in 1942 alone. U.S. Navy Catalina Flying Boats were
based in Perth. Probably the largest defense presence was in
Queensland, where large units of the U.S. Army, Navy and Air
Force were stationed, including 100,000 troops in Townsville.
- 8 -
SENT BY:U. S. INFO. SERVICE :28-10-91 ; 7:05 CANDERRA AUSTRALIA- USIS SYDNEY AUST. :#11
In April 1942, General Douglas Macarthur arrived in Australia
from the Philippines to command all Allied operations in the
South-West Pacific area. In early May, 1942 the Battle of the
Coral Sea was fought only 1200 kilometers off the North
Queensland coast. This battle with the Japanese was fought by
aircraft from opposing carriers and by Australian and American
aircraft based in north Queensland. The Coral Sea battle
saved Port Moresby, reduced the intensity of Japanese attacks
on North Queensland, and checked the rapid series of Japanese
successes in the Pacific following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
In 1950, Australian and American troops again fought side by
side in support of South Korea and on July 12, 1951, the ANZUS
pact was signed. In the 1960s, Australian troops were heavily
engaged alongside Americans in the Vietnam War.
In 1969, Australia's radio telescope at Parkes was used in
conjunction with another 210 foot antenna in the U.S. to carry
the historic television pictures of the first manned landing
on the moon. The picture everybody remembers - Neil
Armstrong's leg searching for the surface of the moon - was
first seen in the briefing room of the Honeysuckle Creek
tracking station near Canberra. As a compliment to Australia,
NASA in 1971 named Apollo 15 "Endeavour" after Captain James
Cook's "Endeavour".
Other cultural links: the Fulbright Scholarships Exchange
Scheme, which provided for the exchange of scholars and
students between the U.S. and certain other countries, was
established by an act of Congress sponsored by Senator J.W.
Fulbright in 1946. The section of the agreement relating to
Australia was signed in Canberra on November 26, 1949. It
involved the exchange of students on the financial basis of a
debt of $5 million owed to the U.S. by Australia as a result
of wartime lend-lease and surplus property settlements. The
first Australians to be awarded scholarships under the scheme
went to the U.S. in 1950 and the first Americans came to
Australia in 1951. In 1953/54, 115 exchanges took place.
In 1991, there will be 59 exchanges.
The American Chamber of Commerce was established in Sydney in
1961 with sixty members. The Chamber was originally
established to represent the American business community in
Australia on questions of commerce, finance, industry, trade.
In 1991, it has 1,167 members.
- 9 -
SENT BY:U. S. INFO. SERVICE
28-10-91
GANGERRA AUSTRALIA- USIS SYDNEY AUST. 1#12
Australians who have significant contributions to American
society and culture:
Film
- Errol Flynn - Tasmanian actor who appeared in "Mutiny on
the Bounty", "Captain Blood" and other swashbuckling
Hollywood roles in the 1930s and 1940s.
- Mel Gibson - actor in "Mad Max", "Lethal Weapon", "Hamlet"
- Paul Hogan - one of the writers of the screenplay and main
actor in the film "Crocodile Dundee"
- Dean Semler - - cinematographer on "Dances With Wolves"
Sport
- Wayne Grady - golfer who won U.S. PGA championship in 1990
- Greg Norman - - golfer - top money winner for 1990 on PGA tour
- John Newcombe - U.S. Tennis Open singles winner
- Ken Rosewall - - U.S. Tennis Open singles winner
- Rod Laver - U.S. Tennis Open singles winner
- Margaret Court - U.S. Tennis Open singles winner
- Murray Rose - swimmer
- Dawn Fraser swimmer
- John Landy - runner
- Herb Elliott - runner
- Harry Hopman - tennis player
Music
- Olivia Newton John - singer and actress
- Dame Joan Sutherland - opera singer
- Men At Work - rock group
- Bee Gees pop group
Writing
- Germaine Greer - feminist and author of "The Female Eunuch"
- Colleen McCullough - author of "The Thornbirds"
- Patrick White - author and Nobel prizewinner
Art
- Sir Sidney Nolan - artist
- Robert Hughes - art critic for "Time" magazine
- William Dobell - artist
- Russell Drysdale - artist
other Prominent People
- Rupert Murdoch media proprietor.
- Paul Scully Power - astronaut with NASA
- Jim Wolfensohn - Australian who is prominent in U.S.
financial circles
- Patrick Oliphant - cartoonist with the Washington Post
- 10 -
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7021 12-18-91 ; 9:22AM ;
4156437891-
912024566218:# 1
UNIV. OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY
TELEPHONE: 510/642-3625
MAIL SERVICE
TELEFAX; 510/643-7891
19 DOE
BERKELEY, CA 94720-0001
FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION SHEET
URGENTI - PLEASE NOTIFY ADDRESSEE IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIPT
DATE: December 18, 1991
ATTENTION: Michelle Nix
COMPANY/INSTITUTION; Speech Writing
DEPARTMENT:
FAX #: 202-456-6218
TEL #:
FROM: Robert Hirst
DEPARTMENT: MARK TWAIN PROJECT, THE LIBRARY,
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA,
BERKELEY, CA 94720-000
TEL #: (510) 642-6480
NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING COVER SHEET: 5
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7021 :12-18-91 ; 9:23AM ;
4156437891->
912024566218:# 2
EXTRACTED FROM: Paul Fatout, Mark Twain Speaking (University of Iowa Press: Iowa City,
1976)
"You Australians seem to deserve the title of 'the cordial nation.' I have seen so much
of your kindness, and have been so moved by it, and so charmed with it, that in
thinking things over-I sit and think sometimes, and try to make out the characteristics
of this nation-
it seems to me that you should be branded and trademarked as
'the cordial nation'-certainly, when you meet me."
let us chaff and jaw and criticize one another as we please, when all is said and
done, the Americans, and the English, and their great outflow in Canada and Austral-
ia are all one. You have not stayed at home all your lives, and you know that senti-
ment which I have felt so many times. I have been around a good deal here and there
in the world, and there is one thing that I have always noticed, and which you must
have noticed under similar circumstances. Let one of us get far away from his own
country-be it Australia, or England, or America, or Canada-and let him see either
the English flag or the American flag, and I defy him not to be stirred by it. Oh yes!
blood is thicker than water, and we are all related. If we do jaw and bawl at each
other now and again, that is no matter at all. We do belong together, and we are parts
of a great whole-the greatest whole this world has ever seen-a whole that, some
day, will spread over this world, and, I hope, annihilate and abolish all other commu-
nities. It will be 'the survival of the fittest. The English is the greatest race that ever
was, and will prove itself so before it gets done-and I would like to be there to see
it."
(p. 293, from a dinner speech to the Yorick Club, Melbourne, 3 October 1895)
"What satisfaction it is to find ourselves in this restful South Australia, and
where apparently it is always a holiday-and where, when you have no holiday and
nothing else to do, it is always a horse race. It has become a blessed land, it seems
to me. And then you have a spirit of independence here which cannot be overpraised.
You place your holidays, not in accordance with the day, but to suit your own com-
fort and convenience. I passed through Australia when you were celebrating the
Prince of Wales' birthday upon the 8th, upon the 10th, or upon the 11th-skipped the
9th altogether. I suppose there was a horse race."
(p. 306, from a speech at a Commemoration Luncheon, Glenelg, 30 December 1895)
Extended Page
2.1
From Albert Bigelow Paine, Mark Twain: A Biography, 3 vols. (New York: Harper and
Brothers, 1915):
[At Melbourne]
"The doctor says I am on the verge of being a sick man. Well, that may be true
enough while I am lying abed all day trying to persuade his cantankerous, rebellious
medicines to agree with each other, but when I come out at night and get a welcome
like this I feel as young and healthy as anybody, and as to being on the verge of being
a sick man I don't take any stock in that. I have been on the verge of being an angel
all my life, but it's never happened yet." (2:1010)
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7021 12-18-91 ; 9:24AM ;
4156437891-
912024566218;# 3
EXTRACTED FROM: Miriam Jones Shillingsburg, At Home Abroad: Mark Twain in Australasia
(University Press of Mississippi: Jackson and London, 1988).
To the same welcoming ovation, Twain responded that he "knew he was a long way
from home-that, of course, he knew-but ever since his arrival in Sydney he had been
so kindly treated that he had never felt so" (Sydney Daily Telegraph, 25 Sept 1895, p. 6)
(Shillingsburg, 46-47).
Twain responded [to the cheers at Horsham] "with much feeling" that he "thought he
had been coming to a nation of strangers, but found himself among a nation of com-
rades."
(Stawell News and
Chronicle, 19 October 1895, p. 2) (Shillingsburg, 96).
[At Ballarat] The reporters said that Twain spoke of Australians "almost affectionately,"
calling them "a warm-hearted, genial, sympathetic, and appreciative people." They are
"purely Australians-not English, not American, but more American than English." He
praised their frankness, energy, manners, and customs, and said their country was "a
place in which he would like to live" (Star [Ballarat], 21 October 1895, p. 8)
(Shillingsburg, 102-3).
He had not seen any of Ballarat's mines because "I've been down on the blankets pretty
well ever since I arrived, and have done little else-outside lecturing-but study wall-
papers. Every kind of wall-paper you possess in Australia has come under my purview,
and if I fail as a lecturer, I shall write a book on Australian wall-papers" (Courier
[Ballarat], 21 October 1895, p. 4 (Shillingsburg, 103).
"I am technically 'boss' of the family which I am carrying along-(laughter)-but I am
grateful to know that it is only technically-that the real authority rests on the other
side of the house. (Hear Hear.) It is placed there by a beneficent Providence, who
foresaw before I was born, or, if he did not, he has found it out since---(laughter)-that
I am not in any way qualified to travel alone." [Age (Melbourne), 28 October 1895, P. 7]
(Shillingsburg, 117).
Mark Twain congratulated the South Australians on their perfect climate, "where you
have beautiful spring weather in midwinter [December], and where snow is unknown
where it is always holiday
[and], when you have no holiday, or nothing else
to do, it is always a horserace." He claimed to have passed through Australia "when
they celebrated the Prince of Wales's Birthday. They celebrated it on the 8th, the 10th,
and the 11th, and skipped the 9th altogether. (Laughter.) I suppose there was a horserace
the 9th. (Loud laughter.)" (Advertiser [Adelaide], 31 December 1895, p. 6)"
Extended Page
3.1
on the ytn. (Loud laugmer,
(Shillingsburg, 195).
"Australasia is the modern heaven-it is bossed absolutely by the workingman" (MTP,
p. 18) (Shillingsburg, 196).
He told Melbournians that in the United States horses were so fast and storms so heavy
that he "knew of one being chased by a storm for 18 miles. That horse never got a
drop of rain and yet the dog behind the cart was swimming all the way' " (Evening News
[Melbourne], 1 October 1895, p. 1). Twain claimed that Australians told him that in
Queensland it is so hot "the hens lay fried eggs," and in New Zealand he learned that
the great moa "was still in existence when the railway was introduced
and carrying
the mails
The company exterminated the moa to get the mails" (More Tramps
Abroad, pp. 68, 60) (Shillingsburg, 202).
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7021 12-18-91 ; 9:25AM ;
4156437891-
912024566218:# 4
To Percy F. Sinnett
24 July 1881 Hartford, Conn.
(MS: Christie's Auction House, 1991)
Hartford July 24/81.
Dear Sir-
Your most kind letter arrived to-day, for which I owe you
many thanks. But you will see by the enclosed that Mrs. Darwent
& your father, & many other citizens of your distant region have
been imposed upon by some graceless adventurer. I have never
been in your part of the world, nor further westward from here
than the Sandwich Islands. Twice before this, mention has been
made of this man in letters written to me by Australians; conse-
quently it has seemed to me worth while to at least publish the
simple fact that he is not me, since if I remain silent & he chance to
do somebody a wrong, my silence makes me an accessory to his
misdeed. So I thought I would ask you to do me the great
kindness to publish the short card which I enclose, & append to it
some remarks of your own attesting to its genuineness. If you con-
sent, I shall remain your grateful debtor. I also enclose to you the
letter received by my wife to-day from our friend Mr. Cholmon-
deley, of Condover Hall, near Shrewsbury, in England (which
please destroy after you read it, as it is private.) As he does not say
whence or how he got the news of my death, I have jumped to the
conclusion that I have died (by proxy) somewhere in your region,
& that my proxy is the same person who imposed upon your father
& others. I shall write Mr. Cholmondeley that I am not dead yet, &
shall hope it may reach Sydney before he leaves. What a pity he
didn't come across my double in the flesh! But that is a sort of acci-
dent which an impostor seems never to encounter. Many a time
men have lectured under my name in various States of this Union,
(sometimes in cities where I was personally known to a dozen peo-
ple,) but not one of them has ever had the ill luck to be detected.
Thanking you once more for your kind expressions, I am
Truly Yours
S. L. Clemens
("Mark Twain.")
Extended Page
4.1
[enclosure:]
A WORD OF EXPLANATION.
During the present year 1 have received letters from three gentle-
in Australia who had in past times known people who had
men known me "in Australia." But I have never been in any part of Au-
stralia in my life. By these letters it appears that the persons who
knew me there knew me intimately-not for a day, but for weeks,
and even months. And apparently I was not confined to one place,
but was scattered all around over the country. Also, apparently, I
was very respectable; at least I suppose so, from the character of
University
Ave.
London
Ainslie
Reid
City
Australia
ANE
Perth
Edinburgh
Cirt.
Coranderek
Acton
Con
Australia
Melbouthe
Ave
DEPARTMENT I Commony serves Ave way
Pele
Anzac
Major Cities: Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart
Park
Stirling
Park
Commonwealth
King
AUSTRALIA, the land "Down Un-
Parkes
Major Cities
der," is an island continent about the
Coronation Dr.
Edward Parkes XTX Place Ceorge
Ave.
size of the United States mainland. Geo-
The national capital, CANBERRA (an
Tel.
logically, it is one of the oldest conti-
aboriginal word meaning "meeting
Forster
Quen Visiola Tel.
nents; in civilization, the most recent.
place"), is in the Australian Capital Ter-
Darwin Perti Ave.
State
Its 16 million people enjoy a high stan-
ritory (ACT) in the southern tablelands
Schlich
SI
Capital
Kings
dard of living in a country which is still
of New South Wales. It is 580 meters
Yarralumla
Hopetoun Cir
Empire Cirt
Arkana
U.S.
in the process of developing its great
(1,900 feet) above sea level, with much
Embassy
Barton
is
Moonah
Capital Hill
Bowen
natural resources.
of the surrounding mountainous terrain
EU
Brisbane
Weston
Turran
Place
Ave
above 900 meters (3,000 feet). Built to
Australia holds considerable interest and
be the seat of the federal government,
Ave
Circle,
Sydney
Park
Ave.
appeal for Americans: its culture, simi-
Canberra is one of the most carefully
Guilfoyle Staide
Grey
St
Circle
Canber
lar to that of the United States; its unique
planned and rapidly growing cities in
Deakin Oval
Empire
Hobart Ave
geology, flora, and fauna; its distinc-
Australia; its current metropolitan popu-
Deakin
Cirt.
National
Cirt
Telope
tive literature and history; and the
lation is about 266,000. It is often called
Gawler
Dominion
Manu
Kingston
Cirt
striking contrast between the highly
the "garden city" because of the mil-
a
Manuka
civilized foreground of the coastal
lions of trees and shrubs which enhance
Empire
Oval
Stoneha
cities and the outback of the bush.
Tennyson
Cres
the parks and thoroughfares of the entire
Collins
CI
Park
Circle
Canberra Ave
Its climate varies from tropical to tem-
area.
Cr
COWIS
Circle
perate, and the contrasts in its land-
MURRA
asmania
Griffith
Circle
scape are from rolling plain to alpine
Increasingly, Canberra is becoming the
Authur
May
height.
nation's political, administrative, com-
mercial, educational, and scientific hub.
Australia and the U.S. share common
Represented in the city are 54 embas-
goals and similar approaches to most
sies, 11 high commissions (which rank
major foreign policy questions. Their
with embassies), and an Apostolic Pro-
frequent exchanges of views on world
nuncio for the Holy See. The city is also
affairs in general, and the Asian-Pacific
a growing tourist center. Its lake, na-
area in particular, are characterized by
tional buildings, parks, and wide ave-
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA
a high degree of mutual confidence and
nues attract more than 500,000 visitors
understanding.
a year. In the heart of the city is man-
Australia
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Cities of the World 3rd Edition
Australia
made Lake Burley Griffin; always an
Grade placement for children transfer-
Canberra has special educational facili-
clubs are inexpensive. Squash courts
integral part of the city's master plan,
ring from the Northern Hemisphere can
ties for physically and intellectually
also are available.
it was completed in 1964 and named
sometimes be a problem, and it is impor-
handicapped children. These children,
for the Chicago architect who created
tant to provide up-to-date school re-
from preschool through high school, can
Canberra has five sailing clubs, with
Canberra's design. Planned community
cords.
attend one of four special-education in-
races held each Saturday and Sunday
shopping centers are in each suburb.
stitutions, or they can be enrolled in spe-
during summer. The four senior and six
Modern new buildings typify the fast
Australian schools through the second-
cial classes at regular schools.
school rowing clubs participate in regat-
growth of the capital.
ary level fall into two broad categories:
tas every third weekend. Two ferries
government-supported state schools and
Tertiary degrees may be obtained at the
regularly provide an interesting cruise
Wheat and dairy products are produced
private schools (called public). Most of
Australian National University or the
of Lake Burley Griffin. Canoes, row-
in the ACT; the surrounding tree-stud-
the latter are church sponsored, although
Canberra College of Advanced Educa-
boats, and paddleboats can be rented,
ded upland country is used, for the most
membership in the sponsoring church
tion (CCAE). Direct entrance from
but powerboats are not permitted on the
part, for sheep grazing. To the south
is not a requirement for admission. It
American high schools can be difficult;
lake.
are the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric
is sometimes difficult to enroll children
it is better for students to have com-
Development and Mount Kosciuszko
in private schools because waiting lists
pleted one year in an American college
Some streams are stocked with rainbow
(about 2,370 meters), the highest point
are long. State schools ask a small fee
before transferring to Australia.
and brown trout. Lake Burley Griffin
in Australia. The highlands are timbered
to cover incidental costs; tuition at pri-
is supplied annually with both species,
mainly with native eucalyptus and Mon-
vate schools varies. Detailed informa-
Further education is available through
which may be taken only with line and
terey pines planted by the Forestry Com-
tion is available from the U.S. Embassy
the Canberra School of Art, the Can-
rod. Good sea fishing is available on
mission. The Molonglo River flows
in Canberra.
berra School of Music, and several ap-
the south coast of New South Wales,
through Canberra, but much of the city's
prenticeship training schools. Nursing
about 100 miles from Canberra. A fish-
water supply comes from the Cotter
Schools are found in most suburbs.
education is available through some lo-
ing license is not required in the Capital
River Dam, about 19 kilometers (12
Many Australian students leave school
cal hospitals, and advanced nursing
Territory, but in New South Wales a
miles) away.
after grade 10; education in grades 11
courses through CCAE. Non-university
license must be obtained.
and 12 is provided at government col-
instruction may be obtained in almost
Canberra's climate is sunny year round,
leges. One of these colleges offers the
every subject or field.
Swimmers have a choice of five public
with only short periods of rain or over-
International Baccalaureate program for
Recreation
pools in the city (one indoor and three
cast skies. Summers are warm, with
the academically talented. Some private
outdoor pools are heated) and a number
temperatures occasionally above 37°C
schools offer kindergarten through grade
Canberra offers many attractions for
of natural pools on rivers in the out-
(98°F); winters are cold, with early
12.
families and those who enjoy outdoor
skirts.
mornings often below freezing but
recreation but, because of its relative
warming up during the day. It almost
The U.S. College Entrance Examination
newness, it does not provide the range
The Canberra area has touring interests
never snows here. January is the hottest
Board tests are given regularly in Aus-
of interests found in some cities.
for every member of the family, from
month; July the coldest.
tralia. In Canberra, the SAT (Scholastic
the modern space-tracking station to the
Aptitude) and Achievement Tests are
Canberra is sportsminded; cricket, foot-
charm of a horse-era museum or the
Schools for Foreigners
administered at least three times a year.
ball, tennis, golf, swimming, and bowls
quiet pleasure of trout fishing in the
In addition, the PSAT/NMSQT (Prelim-
are the most popular activities. Also
lakes or mountain streams. An interest-
Australian schools are patterned on the
inary SAT and National Merit Scholastic
available are hockey, basketball, rifle
ing game reserve near Cotter Dam is
British system. All have limited space,
Qualifying Test) is given each year, usu-
shooting, table tennis, softball, boxing,
about 11 miles from the capital.
facilities, and staff to cope with the
ally in October. The Secondary Schools
wrestling, fishing, skiing, badminton,
growing number of students.
Admission Test (SSAT) is also avail-
billiards, croquet, polocrosse, squash,
Several seaside resorts on the coast 160
able twice a year for younger stu-
baseball, bushwalking (hiking), rowing,
to 320 kilometers (100 to 200 miles)
Seasons in Australia are the reverse of
dents (grades 5-10). Preschools, both
and sailing.
from Canberra are reached by one paved
those in the U.S., and so is the school
privately run and government-spon-
road. Since this part of the coast is unde-
year. Classes usually start at the end
sored, are available in most areas. Four-
There are five 18-hole golf courses
veloped commercially, few resort hotels
of January and dismiss for summer vaca-
year-olds are given preference to attend
within the city, and public courses at
and lodges exist to accommodate vaca-
tion on or about December 10. Shorter
government-sponsored preschools, al-
suburban Narrabundah and Belconnen.
tioners. However, motels are increasing
recesses occur in May and August at
though sometimes three-year-olds can
Tennis, mostly hard-court, is popular.
in number, and simple but adequate cot-
the end of the first and second terms.
be admitted.
No public courts exist, but small private
tages and apartments are available for
Australia
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Australia
changeable with rain, sunshine, heat,
Australia's program of immigration has
tains about 100 miles east of Melbourne.
billed platypus in a specially constructed
and cold sometimes all occurring the
brought to Melbourne many "new Aus-
Australian-rules football, a form of the
tank. Phillip Island, about 85 miles
same day.
tralians" from western and southern Eu-
Gaelic game, attracts huge crowds
southeast of Melbourne, is a popular
ropean countries. This has been espe-
(sometimes as many as 100,000) in the
summer resort where there are seals,
Because of the mild but variable cli-
cially noticeable since World War II.
winter season, as does cricket in the
fairy penguins, koalas, and other wild-
mate, the states of Victoria, South Aus-
These people have injected a continental
summer. Soccer is increasing in popu-
life in their natural habitat. Many people
tralia, and Tasmania (all in the same
influence that is reflected in delicates-
larity with the influx of "new Austra-
make at least one overnight trip to watch
U.S. consular district) are well suited
sens, restaurants, and shops, and in
lians" from European countries. Bas-
the fairy penguins march in from the
for the wide range of flowers and trees
sports, music, and cultural programs,
ketball and baseball are played at
sea at dusk, returning to their burrows
blooming year round. South Australia
as well as in the frequency with which
schools or various club organizations.
with the day's catch for their young.
and Victoria are noted for their good
foreign languages are heard.
wines. All three states are rich farming
Melbourne has both private and public
On various drives throughout the coun-
and livestock-producing areas. Victoria,
Schools for Foreigners
golf courses; the best of these, such as
tryside, visitors can see some native ani-
and especially Melbourne and its nearby
the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, are
mals, although they are neither as nu-
districts, is a major industrial area. Sev-
In Melbourne, many Americans attend
among the world's finest. Tennis clubs
merous nor as often seen as the great
eral other important industrial districts
private, church-sponsored schools
are numerous and excellent; both grass
variety and numbers of indigenous birds
are also in South Australia. Tasmania
which are generally not coeducational.
and composition courts are available.
and parrots.
is largely agricultural, although many
Admission usually depends on academic
new industrial and mining plants have
qualifications and vacancies.
Deep-sea, lake, and river fishing are
The Dandenong Mountains, about 20
been built since World War II. The area
possible in this vast district. Small boats
miles east of Melbourne, can be ex-
of the Northern Territory around Alice
The range of subjects offered high
may be chartered in Melbourne or the
plored on short day trips. Gippsland,
Springs is comparable to Southern Utah,
school students is not as broad as in
suburbs for any fishing. Hunting (or
an area of wooded hills and rolling dairy
Arizona, or New Mexico, and varies
the U.S., nor are schools as flexible.
"shooting," as it is called in Australia)
country beginning just southeast of Mel-
from sparsely watered grasslands to
One should obtain information from ac-
of birds and some animals is possible
bourne, is relatively little known as a
desert.
credited correspondence schools to
in many areas. Target shooting can be
tourist attraction. Drives through this
Melbourne was the capital of Australia
cover courses not available in Mel-
arranged through one of the various rifle
nearby area provide many opportunities
until 1927, and several Commonwealth
bourne, but which may be required for
clubs.
to see flora and fauna of Victoria in their
government departments and offices are
university admission or the pursuit of a
natural state. Farther to the southeast,
still located here. It is a major port city
special interest.
Attractions in Melbourne include the
about 150 miles, is Wilson's Promon-
and rail hub, as well as a principal center
Royal Botanic Gardens; the National
tory, the southern extremity of the Aus-
of industry, business, and finance. Its
It is generally difficult to enter a Mel-
Gallery of Victoria; the National Mu-
tralian mainland. It comprises 116,000
parks are magnificent, its streets are
bourne university or college directly
seum of Victoria, which houses an ex-
acres of national park ideal for walkers
broad, and it is an easy city to get ac-
from a U.S. high school; Melbourne
cellent scientific collection; and several
and swimmers. Flats and lodges are
quainted with and in which to move
school officials prefer to enroll students
National Trust houses of historic inter-
available for hire at Tidal River within
around. Because of its size and the fact
who have finished one university year.
est. Tourists, and photographers espe-
the promontory; rental arrangements for
that Australia ranks high in per-capita
All applications, however, are negotia-
cially, are intrigued by the extensive use
these accommodations are made through
number of cars, traffic is a growing
ble. The state-run universities and col-
of cast-iron "lace" ornamentation on
the Victorian Government Tourist Bu-
problem. However, there are numerous
leges are tuition-free.
many Victorian terrace houses and bal-
reau. Several small towns with adequate
car parks in the city center, and the local
conies.
motel accommodations are also nearby.
system of trains, trams, and buses is
Recreation
excellent. Taxicabs are clean, reliable,
In addition to a good ZOO in Melbourne,
Facilities for tent or trailer campers are
and easy to obtain.
Australians participate enthusiastically
with both native and foreign animals,
good in all populated areas of Australia.
in outdoor sports, and the country is
there is an excellent wildlife sanctuary
Most campsites have toilet and shower
Melbourne has an impressive skyscraper
noted for fielding world-class teams. In
at Healesville, about 40 miles northeast
blocks with hot water and laundry facili-
skyline. The rising cost of real estate,
Melbourne, golf and tennis are the most
of Melbourne in the foothills of the
ties. Trailers can be rented on the spot
caused by the demand for space in the
popular sports and are played year
Great Dividing Range. There one can
as well. Skin divers find ample opportu-
center of the city, has created an increas-
round. Sailing, swimming, fishing, surf-
see lyre birds, emus, wombats, pos-
nity to pursue their hobby. To recapture
ing number of modern 15- to 40-floor
ing, and skin diving are also popular.
sums, tame kangaroos and wallabies,
the flavor of the gold-rush era, day trips
office and apartment buildings.
Good ski slopes abound in the moun-
koala bears at close range, and the duck-
are possible to two old Victorian mining
Australia
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Australia
towns: Ballarat, one hour's drive west,
productions include musicals and plays
and Bendigo (formerly Sandhurst), one
from Broadway and London, often with
hour's drive northwest of Melbourne.
imported casts and stars. Several reper-
tory companies also present regular sea-
Beaches are available inside Port Phillip
sons with runs of up to five or six weeks
Bay near Melbourne and along the
for each play.
Mornington Peninsula, as well as ocean
beaches outside the bay, both east and
Melbourne has a good symphony or-
west. Sharks do appear along some of
chestra with a regular season, as well
these stretches, but are less of a problem
as opera and ballet. Also, several music
here than elsewhere in Australia. Swim-
societies in Melbourne present excellent
ming areas are patrolled, however, to
choral and chamber music concerts. Vis-
guard against heavy undertow or sharks.
iting orchestras, chamber music groups,
and soloists perform many times during
Lake Eildon, about 90 miles northeast
the year. A series of outdoor "Music
of Melbourne, is Victoria's biggest man-
for the People" concerts is given by the
made lake. It was built to irrigate a vast
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in the
area of northern Victoria, reaching as
summer months at the Sidney Myer Mu-
far as the Murray River. Set in the Upper
sic Bowl.
Goulburn River valley, Lake Eildon has
A view of Melbourne. (Courtesy of the Australian Tourist Commission)
an area of 50 square miles and a pictur-
Melbourne and the suburbs have many
esque 320-mile shoreline. It is ideal for
cinemas, including more than a dozen
water sports and also provides a chance
drive-ins. All show American and Brit-
to see native wildlife. Several places
ish movies, but some of the downtown
rent fishing boats and lease completely
cinemas also feature foreign-language
self-contained houseboats by the week-
films. Several film societies have year-
end or week. Auto trips into the Austra-
round programs of classic old-timers,
lian Alps to see the Snowy Mountains
avant-garde productions, and documen-
hydroelectric power project take about
taries.
four hours; good overnight accommoda-
tions are available.
A Melbourne Film Festival is held in
May, with selected works from all over
Trips from Melbourne to Alice Springs
the world. The Melbourne Cup horse
in the Northern Territory are made judi-
race in November is considered the out-
ciously in the winter, as the dry center
standing racing meet of the year, and
of Australia (the storied Outback) can
is a major holiday and social event. The
be very hot. Here lie Australia's most
Davis Cup tennis play-offs or the Davis
famous natural landmark, Ayers Rock,
Cup finals often are held in Melbourne
a two-mile red monolith, and the nearby
in December and January. The Royal
Olgas, a huge group of domes of laven-
Agricultural Show is held in September.
der conglomerate rock. Overnight or
The annual Moomba carnival is cele-
weekly dude ranch-type trips from Alice
brated in late February, with many var-
Springs are similar to those in the west-
ied exhibitions during a week-long
St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne. (Courtesy of the Australian Tourist
ern U.S.
program. Memorial events include ob-
Commission)
servance of the battle of the Coral Sea
Entertainment
in May and ANZAC day in April.
City activities are diverse and plentiful.
Clubs figure prominently in social life
Melbourne has several theaters whose
in Melbourne, and there are many which
Australia
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Australia
attract resident Americans. Among
can families live here, many composed
ing groups of international repute in-
Foreign capital, much of it from Japan
these are the American Club of Victoria,
of ex-servicemen who married Austra-
clude Brisbane on their Australian
and the U.S., is spurring economic
the American Branch of the Australian
lian women during World War II. Sev-
schedules. These include ballet compa-
growth, and Perth is fast becoming a
Red Cross, the English Speaking Union,
eral U.S. business firms are locating in
nies, chamber groups, larger ensembles,
commercial and industrial complex. Its
Rotary, Lions, Toastmasters, Kiwanis,
Queensland, bringing engineers, techni-
and popular music artists. The Queens-
function as an administrative center for
Apex, and the American Women's Aux-
cians, and supervisory personnel.
land Symphony Orchestra gives regular
the vast hinterland remains important.
iliary of the Royal Children's Hospital.
concerts and features internationally
The number of American tourists contin-
known guest stars. The city has a few
Several American corporations have es-
BRISBANE, capital of Queensland,
ues to increase with the introduction of
good movie theaters, including drive-
tablished offices in Western Australia,
lies on the Brisbane River about 10
discount airfares on the Pacific routes.
ins. The Queensland Art Gallery is add-
which has helped to bring the number
miles from the sea. It is virtually at sea
Expo '88, a world's fair, will take place
ing to its collection. With completion
of Americans in the area to about 4,500.
level and only 300 miles south of the
in Brisbane as one of the special events
of two theaters of outstanding design
Of these, approximately 800 are at the
Tropic of Capricorn. Its climate pro-
marking Australia's bicentennial, and
and facilities, the Brisbane area is at-
joint Australian-U.S. Naval Communi-
duces the lush vegetation associated
thousands of Americans are expected to
tracting an increasing number of first-
cation Station at Exmouth, 800 miles
with the tropics and, at the same time,
be on hand for the celebration.
class live theater productions, and now
north of Perth.
the flora of temperate zones. Thus, the
enjoys regular performances by the
greenness of papaya and banana trees
Recreation and Entertainment
Queensland Theatre Company.
Perth is an attractive, modern city in
is accented by the vivid coloring of roses
the midst of residential expansion. Large
Full recreational facilities for both adults
and zinnias. The landscape rises from
Spectator events, which include tennis,
areas of natural bush have been cleared
and children are found in Brisbane or
the river banks through hilly suburbs and
cricket, rugby, football, horse racing,
to meet demands of growth, and free-
on to the 3,000-foot peaks of mountain
nearby. In the city itself, tennis, golf,
baseball, and motor racing, draw large
ways connect towering office blocks of
ranges only 60 miles away. Rapidly
squash, cricket, bowling, lawn bowls,
crowds. Nightclubs are few, but restau-
the central business district and suburbs.
modernizing, the city and its environs
rugby, soccer, baseball, swimming, fly-
rants with cabaret-style entertainment,
Thousands of new houses flank roads
present contrasts between the past and
ing, and horse racing are readily availa-
including dancing, can be found at a
and highways radiating from the city
ble. Magnificent beaches are less than
present.
number of hotels.
center. Attractive residential areas front
two hours away. Deep-sea and surf fish-
the Swan River and Indian Ocean.
ing are popular throughout the state, and
PERTH is the capital of Western Aus-
Brisbane was settled in 1823 and has
White, sandy beaches are accessible
been the capital of Queensland since the
waterskiing and small boating are popu-
tralia (WA), the largest of the nation's
from most parts of the city.
lar on Brisbane River and the inland
states. The U.S. consular district com-
foundation of the state in 1859. With
lakes. Sailing and rowing competitions
prises the two-and-a-half million square
All consumer goods and modern com-
an area of 385 square miles, Brisbane
is reputed to rank after Los Angeles as
and regattas are held on the river, and
kilometers of WA as well as the Christ-
forts are available in Perth, but they are
the largest single-administered munici-
big-boat enthusiasts may cruise beside
mas and Cocos Islands. The total popu-
expensive. Many goods are manufac-
the broad beaches of nearby Moreton
lation is 1.3 million, with 983,500 resid-
tured in the eastern states, and irritating
pal entity in the world. The magnitude
Bay or the South Pacific Ocean.
ing in Perth.
shortages occur.
of the task of administration is evi-
denced by the rather casual zoning.
Camping or hiking can be enjoyed in
Perth entered into a stage of modern de-
Perth has one of the best climates in
Even in the most exclusive suburbs,
the rain forests or on the Darling Downs
velopment during the 1960s and early
Australia. It is the sunniest of the state
contemporary ramblers or split levels are
about two hours away. Waterfowl shoot-
1970s. Before then, it had remained one
capitals, receiving an average of eight
found next to 60-year-old frame houses,
ing in the Brisbane valley is popular
of the most isolated cities in the world,
hours of sunshine a day. It has the wet-
and no streets run the length of the city.
with hunters. Queensland has an artifi-
separated even from Australia's fed-
test winters and driest summers, with
cial ice skating rink, but skiing and other
eral capital by more than 3,500 kilo-
an average rainfall of 33 inches. Tem-
Brisbane's 1.14 million residents are
winter sports are not available. The bird-
meters. The distance, of course, has not
peratures average about 23°C (73°F) in
mostly of British origin. The non-An-
watching is excellent.
changed, but it no longer presents a
summer, and about 13°C (55°F) in win-
glo-Saxon group has grown consider-
forbidding barrier to the outside
ter. During summer, which lasts from
ably in the last four decades as a result
The Great Barrier Reef, beginning 200
world. Road, rail, ship, and air services
November to March, a few days with
of the Australian immigration program.
miles north of Brisbane, offers spectacu-
now provide a quick interstate and in-
about 37°C (100°F) temperatures are not
It includes Dutch, Italians, Greeks, Ger-
lar sights, skin diving, and holiday rest.
ternational link. Modern communica-
uncommon, but low humidity and eve-
mans, East Europeans, a few Chinese
tions and technology furnish the instan-
ning sea breezes make most nights com-
of long residence, and recent arrivals
Brisbane's cultural life is active, but
taneous information demanded by a
fortable. With no central heating, the
from Vietnam. More than 1,000 Ameri-
does not approach that of Sydney. Tour-
modern community.
winter months feel chilly.
Australia
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Australia
Recreation and Entertainment
esting collection from pioneering days.
It sponsors a children's center during
Whatever one's sporting preference,
school holidays. The Western Austra-
whether as participant or spectator, there
lian Art Gallery has an absorbing collec-
is something to please in Perth. Horse
tion by Australian artists. The city also
racing, trotting, and dog racing are pop-
has several private galleries. The subur-
ular year round. Car racing, Australian-
ban port city of Fremantle, venue for
rules football, and cricket are also popu-
the 1987 America's Cup races, has an
lar spectator sports. Many sporting as-
excellent maritime museum.
sociations and public facilities are
available for golf, tennis, lawn bowling,
Perth's new concert hall and entertain-
surfing, boating, and sailing. Member-
ment center attract artists of interna-
ship is obtainable and inexpensive.
tional renown. Excellent theaters on the
There are fishing, waterskiing, biking,
grounds of the University of Western
hiking, tenpin bowling, and roller skat-
Australia, as well as the refurbished His
ing. Indoor rinks make it possible to
Majesty's Theater, offer all forms of en-
pursue ice skating and hockey. Baseball,
tertainment from classical to popular.
softball, and soccer are gaining in popu-
larity.
The city has three color-television sta-
tions, eight AM radio stations, and two
A view of Perth as seen from its harbor. (Courtesy of the Australian Tourist
A network of good highways facilitates
FM stations. Numerous movie theaters
Commission)
tours to most of the interesting and pop-
and drive-ins show films throughout the
ulated centers of this vast state. The
city and suburbs.
Western Australian outback has some
ruggedly beautiful scenery, especially in
The Festival of Perth, held annually in
the far north, 800 to 1,500 miles from
February, attracts artists, plays, and ex-
Perth. The deserts of the north and east
hibits from all over the world.
give way to the gentle wheat fields and
heavy forests of the areas nearer Perth.
ADELAIDE, founded in 1837, is the
Vast stretches of white sandy beaches,
capital and principal city of South Aus-
interspersed with picturesque rocky
tralia. It was named for the consort of
shores, ring the state to the Great Aus-
Britain's King William IV, and was the
tralian Bight. In the less-arid southwest
first city in Australia to be incorporated
portion of the state are numerous vaca-
(1840). Now a thriving municipality of
tion spots within a day's drive of Perth.
approximately 980,000 inhabitants, it is
With the onset of the wildflower season
a business and commercial center which
in spring, Western Australia becomes
supports a large export trade (Port Ade-
a gigantic floral bouquet.
laide is only seven miles from the city),
and which boasts also a famous new
Entertainment facilities in Perth are like
complex for the performing arts, the
those to be found in a U.S. city of simi-
Adelaide Festival Centre.
lar size. The library system consists of
a well-stocked central unit with numer-
The city lies on the River Torrens, in
ous suburban branches. The state library
an amphitheater of wooded hills. Its nu-
Perth at night. (Courtesy of the Australian Tourist Commission)
provides an information service.
merous parks and gardens provide the
setting for an interesting mixture of co-
Perth's principal museum, Western
lonial architecture and large, modern
Australian Museum, is devoted mainly
buildings. The University of Adelaide,
to natural history, but it also has an inter-
more than a century old, is located here,
Australia
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Australia
as is Flinders University of South Aus-
its incorporation in 1842. For a brief
Northern Territories. With roughly
and lies in the middle of a coastal resort
tralia, which was founded in 1966. Ade-
period, it also was called Hobarton.
66,000 residents, it has one of Austra-
area. Geelong's name is taken from the
laide is noted for its many churches,
What is now the capital city originated
lia's finest harbors and is one of the
Aboriginal jillong, meaning "the place
including St. Peter's Anglican Cathe-
as a penal colony on the site of one of
country's most modern cities. Darwin
of the native companion," a reference
dral.
the present suburbs, Risdon, but the set-
is the service center for the sparsely in-
to a long-legged bird.
tlement soon was moved across the Der-
habited hinterland; the economy also re-
One of the major tourist attractions in
went River. In 1812, it became the seat
lies on government business. This is a
Gold Coast, 50 miles south of Brisbane,
Adelaide is the huge Central Market,
of state government.
vital transportation and communications
is a resort complex that straddles the
the largest produce market in the South-
hub, served by an international airport.
Queensland/New South Wales border.
The entire Tasmanian island is a combi-
ern Hemisphere. Shopping centers,
The area was founded in 1839 by a
Building restrictions here were lifted in
where aboriginal arts and crafts may be
nation of Scotland, England, and the
surveyor on the HMS Beagle, scientist
1952, causing a massive construction
purchased, and good hotels and restau-
coast of Maine. It is a fisherman's para-
Charles Darwin's (1809-1882) research
boom. Beach resorts abound in Gold
rants have helped to increase business
dise, a bushwalker's dream, and a tour-
ship. The expanding air service industry
Coast, where the population of some
and tourism in the city. The South Aus-
ist's ideal, with its many mountains,
accounted for much of the area's growth
198,000 expands dramatically at holi-
tralia Government Tourist Bureau con-
rivers, lakes, and never-too-distant
in the 1930s. The Allied armies in
days. Tourist attractions include a fauna
coastline. Hobart itself lies at the foot
ducts tours of the city and its environs
Northern Australia were headquartered
reserve and a bird sanctuary.
and also of the Barossa Valley wine-
of Mount Wellington, and its harbor,
here during World War II, when Darwin
producing district, where a vintage festi-
just over 10 miles from the center of
was heavily damaged in bombing raids.
Newcastle (formerly called King's
val is held in odd-numbered years.
the city, is renowned as the launching
A 1974 cyclone decimated the city, but
Town) lies on the Tasman Sea, 100
point for Antarctic expeditions across
it was rebuilt with government aid.
miles northeast of Sydney. Iron and steel
the South Pacific.
industries, mining, and textile manufac-
Warm-weather sports are particularly
popular in Adelaide's climate. There are
Hobart is the home of the University
Fremantle, a suburb of Perth, is located
tures are the main economic activities
many cricket fields and tennis courts
of Tasmania and of the State Library,
on the Indian Ocean at the mouth of
here. Newcastle was founded in the
the Swan River in southwestern Austra-
early 19th century as a penal settlement
(Davis Cup matches are held here).
which houses an excellent museum and
Among the other popular sports are lawn
lia. Founded in 1829, Fremantle is the
and became a city in 1885. The city
fine art galleries. There are many desig-
bowls, golf, racing, water sports and,
terminus of the Trans-Australian rail-
has port facilities and a channel. The
nated historic sites in the city, as well
War Memorial Cultural Centre was es-
in the winter, football.
as botanical gardens of note.
road as well as the seaport for Perth.
tablished in the 1950s. Newcastle's cur-
The city is a fishing and passenger port
From Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road
Fishing, swimming, golf, lawn bowls,
and the chief commercial port in the
rent population is nearly 419,000.
along the southern coast of Victoria to
and squash are among the numerous
area. Fruit, flower, wheat, and wool are
The seaport of Wollongong is 40 miles
the west is a delightful way to get to
sports available in this temperate cli-
exported, and steel, oil, and phosphates
south of Sydney. With almost 236,000
South Australia, and on to Adelaide. In-
mate. Spectator sports feature especially
are imported. East Fremantle and North
residents, this is the nucleus of the Illa-
land from the cliffs and beaches are the
the annual Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race,
Fremantle are suburbs of the city which
warra dairy region. Bulli coal deposits
rain forests of the Otway Range with
originating in Sydney the day after
has a current population of about
have lured many heavy industries to the
their tall, stringy-bark eucalyptus trees
Christmas. There is ample opportunity
22,500. Fremantle gained worldwide
city, and the artificial harbor of Port
and tree ferns. Over the South Austra-
for entertainment in Hobart, which has
recognition as the site of the 1987 Amer-
Kembla is the home of a fishing fleet.
lian border are volcanic lakes and lime-
the only legal gambling casino in the
ica's Cup yachting race.
Wollongong has road and rail connec-
stone caves, with recent finds of extinct
country, plus concerts, movies, legiti-
tions to Sydney. The University of Wol-
marsupial lions and giant kangaroos.
mate theater, and a wealth of hotels and
Geelong, Victoria's second largest city,
longong and a technical college are lo-
The inland marshes are full of black
restaurants. A Tasmanian Government
has an estimated population of 145,200.
cated here.
swans, egrets, and ducks. The trip is
Tourist Bureau is maintained at 80 Eliz-
It is an important port, located on Corio
fascinating, and lures many tourists to
abeth Street.
Bay, 50 miles southwest of Melbourne.
*
this part of the Australian continent.
A large percentage of the nation's wool
The metropolitan population of Hobart
crop is marketed here; shipping and
HOBART is the capital of historic Tas-
is approximately 176,500.
Country Profile
manufacturing are also major employ-
mania, Australia's southernmost state.
Other Cities
ers. Many schools and laboratories, as
Geography and Climate
Named for Lord Hobart, a British colo-
well as a large library, have made Gee-
nial secretary, the city was known as
Situated on the north coast near the Ti-
long a center of education. The city set
Australia is a large, comparatively dry,
Hobart Town for nearly 40 years after
mor Sea, Darwin is the capital of the
aside 40 percent of its area for parks,
and sparsely inhabited continent, some-
Australia
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Australia
what smaller than the U.S. (excluding
rently, because of economic conditions,
Alaska and Hawaii). Its coastline is over
it is limiting future migration to spon-
36,835 miles long. Australia is the only
sored relatives and selected workers
continent occupied by one country; it
needed to meet community needs.
is also the flattest (average elevation less
than 300 meters, or 1,000 feet), and this
Pure and racially mixed aboriginals total
is an important factor in its sparse annual
about 160,000. Few still live a nomadic
rainfall. Nearly 40 percent of the coun-
life unaffected by contact with Europe-
try averages less than 10 inches of rain
ans. In northern and central Australia,
a year, with the coastal belts receiving
most live and work in aboriginal reserve
the greatest amounts. In about three-
communities or pastoral properties. In
fourths of the country, the evaporation
the southern states, where most aborigi-
rate exceeds the annual rainfall. Total
nals are of mixed descent, movement
annual runoff for the entire country is
to the cities is increasing.
less than half of that for the Mississippi
River alone. Australia has no navigable
Government
waterways of any significance.
Australia is divided into six states; New
On the average, the country is warmer
South Wales, Victoria, Queensland,
than the U.S. (one-third is in the Tropi-
South Australia, Western Australia, and
cal Zone, the remainder in the Temper-
Tasmania; and two federal territories,
A view of Adelaide, known as "the city of churches." (Courtesy of Qantas)
ate Zone). As a result, temperature ex-
the Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
tremes are much less pronounced.
and the Northern Territory. The latter
Sydney's mean annual temperature is
are represented in Parliament by mem-
18°C (64°F), compared to New York's
bers who may vote only on matters con-
9°C (48°F).
cerning their geographical areas. The
Northern Territory acceded to self-gov-
Australia lies in the Southern Hemi-
ernment in 1978. Australia also governs
sphere, and its seasons are the reverse
Norfolk Island in the Pacific, 930 miles
of those in the U.S.
northeast of Sydney, and the Cocos
(Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island
Population
in the Indian Ocean.
Most of Australia's 16 million residents
Constitutionally, Australia is a mon-
(1986 estimate) live in the south and
archy whose sovereign is Queen Eliza-
southeast coastal belt, which is in the
beth II of England, represented in Aus-
Temperate Zone. The states of New
tralia by a governor-general (currently,
South Wales and Victoria contain 62
Sir Ninian M. Stephen), whose duties
percent of the population (Sydney and
are mainly ceremonial. Effective rule
Melbourne together contain about 40
generally is in the hands of democrati-
percent). Australians are mainly an ur-
cally elected representatives.
ban people, with nearly two-thirds living
in the capitals of the six states.
Canberra, the seat of government, is
about 240 kilometers (150 air miles)
A variety of cultural activities are held at the Adelaide Festival Theatre.
About 80 percent of the residents are
southwest of Sydney. It was chosen as
(Courtesy of the Australian Tourist Commission)
of British descent. Since World War II,
the capital when the rival claims of Syd-
European immigrants have made up
ney and Melbourne could not be satis-
most of the balance. The government
fied after the unification of Australia in
encourages this immigration, but cur-
1901. The city plans were designed by
Australia
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Australia
Chicago architect Walter Burley Grif-
appellate jurisdiction over other federal
more than a dozen internationally ac-
owned or -licensed monopolies (with
fin.
and state courts and has the power of
claimed musicians and conductors who
considerable federal government author-
constitutional review. Two other federal
tour the continent in a schedule of "ce-
ity) in banking, credit, and agriculture.
The major institutions of government are
courts with specific jurisdictions are the
lebrity concerts" performed with the
Railroads and utilities are owned by
the Crown, represented by the governor-
Federal Court of Bankruptcy and the
major cities' symphony orchestras. Mel-
state and federal governments. Tele-
general, the Ministry, and the Federal
Commonwealth Industrial Court. Al-
bourne, Sydney, and Adelaide have
communications are a responsibility of
Parliament. The governor-general's
though Parliament has the power to cre-
lively professional theaters, with pro-
the latter. Wages are determined by state
powers include the summoning, ad-
ate a hierarchy of federal courts parallel-
ductions ranging from Shakespeare to
and federal boards and, to some degree,
journment, and dissolution of Parlia-
ing the state system, it has preferred to
musical comedy. In other cities, profes-
by collective bargaining. Most major ag-
ment; appointments of ministers; recom-
use the state courts for federal purposes
sional and amateur groups offer pro-
ricultural products are subject to market-
mendation of money; assent to bills;
by investing them with extensive federal
grams which are augmented by touring
ing controls or stabilization arrange-
appointments of judges; control of pub-
jurisdiction.
national and foreign opera, ballet, and
ments.
lic servants; and command of armed
theater companies. Melbourne has a
forces. In actual fact, it would be a rare
The flag of Australia is dark blue, with
steady flow of cultural activities with
Agriculture is highly mechanized and
instance when the governor-general
the Union Jack in the upper left quarter;
both local and international talent.
efficient. It is based mainly on pastures
acted on these matters without the spe-
a large white star underneath, repre-
and winter grains, with a limited acreage
cific advice of the prime minister or min-
senting the six states; and five white
Australia's art scene is dynamic. Com-
of row crops. The main agricultural
isters. The present prime minister is
stars in the fly, representing the South-
mercial and public galleries are replete
products are wool, wheat, and meat, al-
Robert James Lee Hawke, in office since
ern Cross.
with works by local artists, many of in-
though dairy products, fruit, tobacco,
March 1983. The Federal Parliament,
ternational reputation-Sidney Nolan,
and sugar are also important. Australia's
from which the Ministry is drawn, con-
Arts, Science, Education
Russell Drysdale, and Arthur Boyd
livestock, which includes roughly 148
sists of the House of Representatives
among them. Every two years, Adelaide
with 125 members and the Senate with
Education is generally compulsory
million sheep, holds greater relative im-
hosts a Festival of Arts, which attracts
64.
through age 16. More than half of the
portance in Australia than in the U.S.
world-famous writers, musicians, sing-
students above that age withdraw from
Export income from wool accounts for
ers, actors, and dancers. The Sydney
The Senate (upper house), modeled after
classes and do not complete high school.
about 10 percent of total export earn-
Easter Show and the Perth Festival pro-
the U.S. Senate, has equal representa-
About 80 percent of all students attend
ings. (In 1953, the figure was 50 per-
vide performing arts of more popular
tion from each state. It was designed
government schools; the rest are en-
cent.)
variety.
to protect the rights of the states. How-
rolled in private academies. Relatively
ever, it has come to represent political
few Australian students select any
Australian writers who have won world
Distance, sparse population, and lack
party interests as much as state interests,
higher education, and the number com-
recognition include Thomas Keneally,
of navigable rivers make overland and
since senators are elected on a party ba-
pleting the Australian equivalent of a
Patrick White, Morris West, and Col-
air transportation vital. Ocean transport
sis and, more so than in the U.S., are
college education (universities, teach-
leen McCullough. Film successes have
is also important, as Australia depends
subject to party control.
ers' colleges, colleges of advanced edu-
been widely acclaimed in recent years
heavily on imports and exports. Interna-
cation, and technical schools) is, on a
also; Breaker Morant, The Year of Liv-
tional shipping is provided almost en-
The House of Representatives, the more
per capita basis, about one-third that of
ing Dangerously, My Brilliant Career,
tirely by foreign-owned lines, but Aus-
powerful legislative body, is the focus
the U.S. Because of the greater selectiv-
Gallipoli, and Crocodile Dundee are but
tralian flagships now serve Japan and
of most major debates and activity be-
a few of the best known.
the U.S. Air transport, including air
tween the government and the opposi-
ity, standards at Australian universities
are relatively high.
freight, has grown rapidly. Australia
tion.
Activities in the arts and politics are well
leads the world in freight-ton miles per
In science, Australia holds a significant
covered by newspapers and magazines.
The two major parties are the Liberal
capita, and is second only to the U.S.
(Conservative) Party and the Australian
place in astronomy. Its observatories
Australia's publishing scene is lively;
in passenger miles per capita.
Labor Party. The National Party is tradi-
constitute the principal center of optical
novels, travel books, and more aca-
astronomical research in the Southern
demic publications by local authors are
Unlike the railroads, bus and truck lines
tionally a coalition partner of the Liberal
Party. A new political organization, the
Hemisphere. The chain of tracking sta-
plentiful. Bookshops are usually well
are largely in private hands. A two-air-
Australian Democrats, tries to find a
tions across Australia makes it an impor-
stocked, but books, except for paper-
line policy, one government and one pri-
middle course between Labor and the
tant base for monitoring U.S. space
backs, are expensive.
vate, is maintained for domestic air traf-
Liberals.
flights and satellites.
fic. The one overseas airline, Qantas
Commerce and Industry
Airways, Ltd., is government-owned.
At the apex of the court system is the
The Australian Broadcasting Commis-
Australia's economy is based on a com-
Air fares are expensive compared to
High Court of Australia. It has general
sion (ABC) annually brings to Australia
bination of free enterprise and state-
those in the U.S.
Australia
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Australia
Australia's economy was traditionally
public of Germany). U.S. direct private
Fifty foreign shippers call at various
Communications
based on agricultural and mineral pro-
investment is about $4.4 billion. Manu-
ports; American freighters of the Farrell
duction, mainly for export. In recent
facturing industries have attracted the
Line and Pacific Far East Line make
Telephone and telegraph service within
decades, the economic structure has
most U.S. capital, but are being over-
regular calls. All state capitals are on
Australia and to the rest of the world
changed. The manufacturing sector's
taken by investments in mineral explora-
the coast, and most overseas liners can
is excellent, as are both national and
share of gross domestic product (GDP)
tion and development.
berth within one mile of each business
international airmail service. Letters to
rose after World War II, under the impe-
district.
the U.S. are four to six days in transit.
tus of import restriction policies. More
Australia is heavily dependent on im-
recently, finance, business services, and
ports, particularly for certain raw mate-
Rail service is excellent between Mel-
AM radio covers the entire country from
community services have accounted for
rials and for capital equipment. These
bourne and Sydney and Melbourne and
230 broadcasting stations. Shortwave
an increasing share of the GDP, while
must be paid for mainly from exports
Adelaide, and quite comfortable be-
broadcasts, VOA (Voice of America),
the manufacturing share declined. The
of agricultural products and minerals.
tween most of the other major cities.
and the Armed Forces Network (AFN)
change in the agricultural sector has
Australian agricultural production some-
Traveling on other rail routes is erratic,
can be picked up, but reception is unreli-
been even more significant, declining
times suffers from periods of prolonged
and complicated by the lack of a stan-
able. FM is received in the principal
from 21 percent in the postwar period
drought. The nation has also experi-
dard gauge. Connections from Sydney
cities.
to slightly over five percent at present.
enced problems of inflation and slower
and Melbourne to Perth have been in
economic growth similar to those faced
operation for the past several years.
Television, in color and in black and
Expansion of the minerals industry is
by other developed countries in recent
white, consists of commercial channels
expected to be rapid over the next sev-
years.
Bus service is available between most
and a network operated by the publicly
eral years, and should inject considera-
major cities, and is less expensive than
owned Australian Broadcasting Com-
ble wealth into the economy and gener-
The American Chamber of Commerce
traveling by either air or rail. Fares are
mission. Telecasts are similar to those
ate even greater export earnings.
in Australia has its main office at 50
reasonable and service is good.
in the U.S., with many American pro-
Pitt Street, Sydney, New South Wales
2000. There are branch offices at 486
Road conditions in Australia vary
grams and films shown.
Important shifts in overseas trade pat-
terns have occurred since World War
Exhibition Street, Melbourne, Victoria
greatly. Few multilane highways exist,
Australia uses 240v, 50-cycle, PAL
3000; 167 Eagle Street, Brisbane,
and these are mainly for short stretches
II. The United Kingdom is now much
on the approaches to the larger cities.
(phase alternative system). American
less important in Australia as a trading
Queensland 4000; 16 St. George's Ter-
race, Perth, Western Australia 6000;
Main intercity highways typically are
TV sets must be converted, although
partner than it once was. Asian countries
U.K. and West German sets can be
and 50 Grenfell Street, Adelaide, South
two-lane asphalt or crushed stone; some
and the European Communities have re-
used.
Australia 5000.
have a third lane for passing on hills
cently become prominent markets for
and at other dangerous points. Country
Australian products. Japan is the na-
Australia's metropolitan press consists
Transportation
and secondary roads often are unsur-
tion's best export market, especially for
of four daily papers in Sydney; three
faced and become impassable after
wool. It also ranks first as a source of
in Melbourne; two each in Adelaide,
Australia's size and relative isolation
heavy rains. Traffic moves on the left
Australia's imports.
Brisbane, and Perth; and one each in
make air travel the most convenient
and, usually, only right-hand-drive cars
Canberra and Hobart, as well as one
method of interstate and international
can be licensed in most states. Automo-
Australia imports a wide range of goods
national daily newspaper. Each state
travel. Twelve international airlines op-
bile regulations vary from state to state
from the U.S. Major categories include
capital except Hobart has at least one
erate regularly in and out of the country.
but, with a valid international or U.S.
machines and machinery, transport
Sunday paper (Sydney has three); the
Australia has a fast, but expensive, do-
license, authorities will issue a local li-
equipment, scientific and professional
Sydney Sun-Herald has a circulation of
mestic air network, and the country re-
cense without charge. Eye tests are com-
instruments, and other business equip-
lies on its speedy, safe service as a
over 754,000, the largest of any newspa-
pulsory.
ment. Exports to the U.S. are mainly
means of communication. The airlines
per in Australia. Many daily papers are
beef and veal, chemicals, ores and min-
have an impressive safety record and
In Australia's major cities, there are
published in provincial areas, as are tri-
erals, sugar, and seafood.
operate over an area of about 95,000
good systems of commuter trains, buses,
weeklies, biweeklies, and weeklies in
streetcars, or harbor ferries; even during
other cities and towns throughout the
miles, linking all the capital cities and
Australia has become increasingly selec-
rush hours, public transportation is effi-
country. Australia has a flourishing peri-
major towns. Two major companies,
tive in its attitude toward foreign invest-
TAA (Trans-Australia Airlines) and An-
cient.
odical press, catering to a great variety
ment. It is the fourth most important
of interests. The publications range in
sett, fly on all key interstate and territory
The Australian Tourist Commission has
country for direct U.S. investment (after
circulation from 850,000 (TV Week) to
air routes. Other smaller companies pro-
Canada, the U.K., and the Federal Re-
an office at 489 Fifth Avenue, New York
vide intrastate and feeder services.
small specialized journals which are
10017; telephone: (212) 687-6300.
published only annually.
Australia
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Australia
Newsstands carry Time and Newsweek.
The usual children's diseases (measles,
Numerous bookstores in each capital
mumps, chicken pox) occasionally
city sell such American magazines as
reach epidemic proportions. Mild out-
Fortune, Scientific American, Harper's
breaks of influenza, gastroenteritis, and
Bazaar, and New Yorker; and European
other seasonal diseases are common.
publications such as Paris Match,
Since hepatitis occurs with greater fre-
Punch, the Observer, New Statesman,
quency in Australia than in the U.S.,
and Encounter.
gamma globulin is recommended.
Health
Sinusitis, colds, other minor respiratory
illnesses, asthma, and allergies are com-
Good hospitals and laboratory facilities,
mon. Children should be immunized
as well as competent doctors and medi-
against diphtheria, whooping cough,
cal specialists, are available in all of
and yellow fever. Immunizations cur-
Australia's cities. Canberra, for exam-
rently are required for persons who have
ple, has two general hospitals, one Cath-
previously resided in tropical Africa or
olic, and one private facility, catering
Brazil. No cases of rabies have been
to the entire community. The city also
reported in Australia in recent years.
has a variety of medical, dental, and
optical specialists, all using modern
Clothing and Services
methods and equipment. Pharmaceutical
A view of Hobart and its harbor. (Courtesy of the Australian Tourist
services are provided everywhere and,
Dress in Australia is similar to that in
Commission)
since the Australian government subsi-
Washington, D.C. Many American men
dizes medical care, only a bottling
living here wear medium-weight suits
charge is made for prescriptions.
of wool or wool blends year round, but
heavier clothing can be worn with com-
Each state capital has several large and
fort in winter. Lighter wear is comforta-
well-equipped hospitals. Many excellent
ble in summer and safari suits often are
doctors, surgeons, and specialists prac-
worn as business attire in Sydney. Top-
tice in these cities.
coats and raincoats are necessary ward-
robe items for part of the year. Golf
No unusual health problems or hazards
attire usually consists of slacks, sport
exist in Australia. Sewage and garbage
shirts and, perhaps, a sweater or jacket.
disposal services are similar to those in
the U.S., and incinerators are used in
For women, casual (but smart) dress is
most large apartment buildings. The wa-
needed, and suits and ensembles are
ter supply is ample and, for the most
worn frequently. Slacks and sweaters
part, is chlorinated and fluoridated. Safe
are practical for informal outings.
pasteurized and homogenized milk is
Whites are worn on the tennis courts.
available.
Shorts are not permitted on the golf
course.
Flies are serious pests throughout the
country in warm weather, particularly
Clothes are more expensive in Australia
in midsummer, when the native bush
than in the U.S., and dressmakers are
fly is a constant annoyance outdoors.
difficult to find. Hosiery and lingerie of
A city square in Brisbane. (Courtesy of the Australian Tourist Commission)
all kinds are available.
No serious endemic diseases exist, and
no special health precautions are neces-
For the most part, children's clothing
sary. All inoculations are available here.
is much the same as in the U.S. Most
Australia
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Australia
schools through grade 10 require uni-
Local Holidays
Hauser, Hillary. "Exploring a Sunken
period, cannot have been in an import
forms, so a large wardrobe is not neces-
Realm in Australia." National
quarantine kennel. Prescribed docu-
sary. Clothing for infants and young
January 26 (or first
Australia Day
Geographic. January 1984.
ments, including health certificates,
children is limited in selection and high
Monday after
Kasper, Wolfgang, et al. Australia at
must be presented. Charges are made
in price. There are, however, some dis-
that date)
the Crossroads. Law and Business,
for inspection of animals upon arrival
count stores.
March/April
*Easter holidays
Inc.: New York, 1980.
in Australia, and for accommodation in
April 25
ANZAC Day
McNally, Ward. Australia: The Chal-
kennels at quarantine stations. The im-
It should be noted that Perth is a relaxed
June
*Queen's Official
lenging Land. Hale: London, 1965.
portation of birds is prohibited. Regula-
city, where clothing is similar to that
Birthday
Official Yearbook of the Commonwealth
tions are rigidly enforced.
of southern California. Sundresses,
October
*Queen's Birthday
of Australia. Bureau of Census and
Handguns, rifles, and shotguns may be
slacks, blue jeans, T-shirts, and shorts
(Western
Statistics: Canberra.
are all in evidence, as are smart lun-
Australia)
Ward, Russell. Australia.
shipped (not mailed) to Australia, and
cheon dresses, tailored suits, and the oc-
November
*Melbourne Cup
may be subject to police safety inspec-
casional hat. For business, most men
Notes for Travelers
tion before being turned over to owners.
Day
still wear coat and tie here, even in hot
December 25
Christmas
Regulations vary from state to state but,
weather; some wear shirt and tie with
December 26
Boxing Day
Numerous international airlines operate
generally, all firearms must be registered
in and out of Australia; Sydney is the
with local police. Depending on the
shorts and knee socks. Perth has a bud-
*Variable
usual port of entry. U.S. airlines sched-
state, registration of handguns may be
ding fashion industry. Liz Davenport,
a local designer, recently won several
It is wise to arrange travel so as not to
ule several flights weekly from the west
contingent on proof of membership in
coveted National Fashion awards.
arrive on holidays.
coast (Los Angeles and San Francisco)
a local gun or target shooting club. No
to Sydney, and some go on to Mel-
fully automatic weapons may be taken
All basic services and supplies are avail-
Recommended Reading
bourne. Other schedules are maintained
into the country.
able in Australian cities, although they
between New York and Sydney/Mel-
The following titles are provided as a
Most major religious faiths are repre-
are usually quite expensive. Laundry
bourne. There are a few direct flights
general indication of the material pub-
sented in every capital city in Australia.
and dry cleaning are satisfactory and,
to Melbourne from the U.S. west coast.
lished on this country:
in some places, there are coin-operated,
Flying time for the roughly 7,000 mile
The time in Australia is Greenwich
self-service establishments. Stores are
Albinski, Henry. The Australian-Ameri-
trip from California to Sydney is about
Mean Time (GMT) plus 10, except for
generally well stocked and offer most
can Security Relationship. Univer-
15 hours.
South Australia, the Northern Territory,
goods found in U.S. stores. However,
sity of Queensland Press: St. Lucia,
and the Broken Hill Area of New South
in Perth, heavy reliance on imported
1982.
All travelers, including those holding
Wales, where it is GMT plus nine-and-
goods makes living more costly than in
Barclay, Glen St. J. and Joseph M.
diplomatic passports, must have valid
a-half.
other Australian cities.
Siracusa, eds. Australian-Ameri-
visas to enter Australia. Travelers arriv-
The unit of currency is the Australian
can Relations Since 1945: A Docu-
ing from yellow fever endemic zones
dollar. The government imposes no re-
Domestic Help
mentary History. Holt, Rinehart &
must present inoculation certificates.
strictions on taking American dollar cur-
Winston: Artarmon, New South
Upon arrival in Australia, plane interiors
rency or traveler's checks into Australia.
Most Americans here do not employ ser-
Wales, 1976.
and passengers are sprayed with pesti-
U.S. currency and checks drawn on
vants. Full-time domestics are almost
Blainey, Geoffrey. The Tyranny of Dis-
cide mist as part of the government's
American banks are freely negotiable.
impossible to find; part-time help is
tance: How Distance Shaped Aus-
continued effort to prevent plant disease
However, under the Australian banking
sometimes available for cleaning and
tralia's History. Macmillan: Mel-
from being introduced here.
(foreign exchange) regulations, a person
ironing, but at high rates. Trained help
bourne, 1968.
departing Australia is allowed to take
for entertaining is available. Baby-sit-
Crowley, Francis K. Australia's West-
Dogs and cats may be imported to Aus-
out of the country only A$250 in notes,
ters obtained from an agency charge
ern Third.
tralia from the U.K. (including the
A$5 in coin, and the equivalent of
about $3 (U.S.) an hour, plus transporta-
Daedalus. "Australia: Terra Incog-
Channel Islands, Northern Ireland, and
A$250 in foreign currency notes. Any
tion and a light snack.
nita?" Journal of the American
the Isle of Man), the Republic of Ire-
excess can be arranged through banks
Academy of Arts and Sciences.
land, Hawaii, Fiji, Papua New Guinea,
by letters of credit, traveler's checks,
Employers are required by law to carry
Winter 1985.
Norfolk Island, and New Zealand. In
or drafts.
workman's compensation insurance, but
Ellis, William S. "Broad Shoulder of
all cases, animals must have been solely
the procedure is simple and the premium
Australia: Queensland." National
in the country of export for at least six
Total conversion to the metric system
reasonable.
Geographic. January 1986.
months (or from birth) and, during that
of weights and measures was reached
Australia
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Cities of the World
3rd Edition
Australia
here in 1980. Both primary and second-
(telephone: [2] 264-7044); in South
ary schools teach only this system.
Melbourne, Victoria 3205, at 24 Albert
Road (telephone: [3] 699-2244); and in
The U.S. Embassy in Australia is lo-
Perth, WA 6000, at 246 St. George's
cated at Moonah Place, Canberra, ACT
Terrace (telephone: [9] 322-4466).
2600; telephone: (62) 705000. The Con-
There is a U.S. Consulate in Brisbane,
sulates General are in Sydney 2000,
Queensland 4000, at 383 Wickham Ter-
NSW, at the T&G Tower, Hyde Park
race (telephone: [7] 839-8955). The
Square, Park and Elizabeth Streets
country telephone code is 61.
A view of Ayers Rock in the Australian Outback. (Courtesy of the Australian
Tourist Commission)
Australian natives. (Left) A kangaroo and (right) a koala bear. (Courtesy of the
Australian Tourist Commission)
Ref.
DU95
F63
1991
Fodors91
WH
Australia
PROPERTY OF
LIBRARY
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF
THE PRESIDENT
51695
Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc.
New York and London
9780679018766
ISBN 0-679-01876-X
1991
xxii
Introduction
xxiii
Introduction
In the large, stately city of Melbourne you find a high, vast
sky whose light overwhelms, and a silence that allows you
to hear the rustle of a gum (eucalyptus) tree as you exit
from the airport terminal. With its gray-green acacias and
love Australia for the birds," Rupert Murdoch said to
purple-flowering jacarandas, much of Brisbane looks like a
by Ross Terrill
me as we looked up at the rolling green hills on which
horticultural exhibit, and one can become lost in dreams
Australian-born
this media magnate raises sheep and cattle near Can-
strolling through King's Park in Perth, where a riot of
Ross Terrill is
berra. We were cooking steak and sausages over an open
boronia, orchid, and kangaroo paw spreads beneath mag-
the author of The
fire as swans and pelicans flew overhead. "There are so few
nificent gums.
Australians and
birds in America," continued my fellow expatriate, who
many books on
For tens of thousands of years the Aborigines and nature
spends quite a bit of his time in New York. "Coming out
China, including
shared this continent together. The Aborigines arrived
here I feel my Australianness again."
Mao and Madame
during the Ice Age, before sea levels rose and isolated Aus-
Mao. Now an
For all their cherished "bushman" legend, however, 80% of
tralia from the rest of Asia. Because European ships were
American citizen,
the 16 million Australians cluster in the suburbs of the
better than Asian, the long isolation of the Aborigines was
he is a research
"Boomerang Coast" a thin arc stretching 1,000 miles
ended by white, not yellow, arrivals. As London sought a
associate at
around the southeastern seaboard from Adelaide to Bris-
site for a prison colony, the British sea captain, James
Harvard
bane. Few Australians have visited much of their huge,
Cook, reached the east coast in the 1770s and claimed Aus-
University's
empty land, yet their souls dwell in the dusty, technicolor
tralia for the modern world.
Center for East
outback.
The British took Australia in casual stages, without ever
Asian Research.
To realize the sparseness of the sixth largest country in the
dealing fully with the fact that it had already been occupied
world, imagine a land the size of the United States with vir-
by the Aborigines. Some 300,000 Aborigines existed when
tually no people for the first 2,000 miles inland from the
Captain Cook arrived. As whites caught fish and the new
West Coast-as if nothing but sand and spinifex lay be-
settlements drove away kangaroos and other animals, the
tween Los Angeles and Chicago. In Australia, sheep
blacks lost their sources of food. And while the blacks wel-
outnumber people.
comed some of the accoutrements of the white lifestyle,
they could not cope with alcohol, and many thousands died
Despite the immensity of the land, local variations in style,
from smallpox, venereal disease, and other infections. The
and a sectionalism that often has the six states snarling at
Aborigine was pushed aside and Aboriginal life declined.
one another, Australia is a nation of one texture. The same
Australian accent flattens the vowels from Cape York to
T
he days when Australia was a penal colony are not so
Hobart and puts the same cozy suffixes on words ("Brissy"
far distant. All four of my grandparents were alive in
for Brisbane, "Fre-o" for Fremantle) from the Kimberleys
Victoria when the last convict ships reached Western
in the far northwest to Melbourne nearly 1,800 miles away
Australia in 1868. Australia's unique origin as a place of
in the southeast. I once asked Helen Garner, who lives in
crime and punishment haunted Australians for a century
Melbourne and is the author of Monkey Grip and other
and a half. It was only after World War II that most people
novels, about Australians' predilection for these suffixes. "I
could bring themselves to talk about their criminal ances-
think it's a desperate attempt to drag the place down to a
try. Today, it is fashionable to boast of it.
manageable size," she replied.
I see a legacy of the convict era in some Australian atti-
The harsh yet beautiful land beguiles me as much as any-
tudes. This is a society that looks to the government for
thing about Australia after two decades living in the United
solutions to its problems. In part, geographic necessity dic-
States. But you don't need to head into the outback to get a
tates the posture-private enterprise won't build an
sense of the land's enormous power. Whereas in Europe
unprofitable railroad in the sparse north, for example-but
and America, cities intrude upon the countryside, in Aus-
it also stems from the nation's origins as a government
tralia the country tends to invade the cities. When the
camp.
British founded Sydney 200 years ago, they called the area
Botany Bay because of the profusion of flowers and trees.
Paradoxically, Australians also have an anti-authoritarian
Even today, with a population of 3.5 million, Sydney seems
streak that seems to echo the contempt of the convict for his
to be, above all, a slice of nature. On hills around a sparkling
keepers and "betters." This attitude, too, has been perpet-
blue harbor, red-tile roofs are softened by plants and flow-
uated by geographic realities. The farmer in the tough
ering shrubs.
outback was not inclined-and still isn't-to respect the
city bureaucrat who does not know how to mend a fence or
cook a meal in the desert. Thus, in one and the same Austra-
lian you find both the government-dependent mindset and
xxiv
Introduction
XXV
Introduction
the anti-authoritarian rhetoric. It is appropriate that the
that until recently were dismissed-even by themselves—
historical figure who stands out most clearly as an Austra-
as mere derivatives from cold and distant Europe.
lian hero is Ned Kelly, a bushranger (highwayman) who
It takes time to establish an identity rooted in one's own
killed policemen.
geographic and climatic experience, however, and Austral-
Possibly as a result of Australia's past and nature's influ-
ia can seem quite British at times and somewhat American
ence, Australians are casual and easy-going. A business-
at others. Political, legal, and educational institutions de-
man can sound as folksy as a worker, and an academic can
rive from Britain. Each state capital is named after a
look like a worker as he boozes and barracks at a football
colonial politician (Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Hobart, Mel-
game. Some of the rich parade their wealth, but none can
bourne) or a British royal figure (Adelaide). Dry and
parade their status in a land that began as a prison colony.
witheringly hot towns bear names from England's green
It is still an insult to a cab driver for any man traveling alone
and pleasant land. Each day in the leading newspapers a
to ride in the back seat.
"Vice Regal" column lists the activities and visitors at the
state and national government houses, where the represen-
he Australian is off-handed, as if he or she is either
T
tative of the English queen is the formal head of the
uninterested in communicating or unused to it. When
governmental structure. Only since 1984 has it been re-
a remark is ventured or a question asked, "ye-es" is
quired that a civil servant in Australia be an Australian-
said so slowly and hesitantly that you sense reticence or ap-
previously it was sufficient to be British.
athy. Similarly, a compliment is more likely to embarrass
than please an Australian, although abuse is fine if it is not
American influence comes in culture (especially entertain-
ment), technology, defense arrangements, and business.
fully meant.
Television channels are well-stocked with American pro-
The nation's spirit dwells somewhere within a triangle, the
grams, and American popular music and clothing styles
points of which are diffidence, innocence, and skepticism.
attract youth in Sydney and Melbourne, as they do in much
Aussies can neither be easily fooled nor easily enthused-
of the world. Books from the United States have made a ma-
they like to believe others will be reasonable, but at arm's
jor advance in Australian intellectual circles since the
length many a proposed scheme will seem flawed or not
1960s. American ideas of management and problem-solving
worth the bother. Despite such cynicism, there is a seduc-
are sweeping away many cobwebs as the presence of multi-
tive softness to Aussie life. People still say "sorry" if they
lateral corporations grows and the public service sheds its
bump into you on the street, and the word for thank you,
British tradition of amateurism.
"ta," is uttered even after you yourself have said thank you
in a shop or restaurant. And whether the topic is the weath-
er, the stupidity of politicians, or the way the world is going
T
here is resistance to American influence, of course,
but it has been muted compared with the coolness
to pot, Australians tend to want your agreement.
many Australians feel toward Britain, which they feel
has been guilty of condescension. Australia was never real-
This desire for affirmation may be due, in part, to the fact
ly like Britain; it lacked a defeated aristocracy, a dominant
that Australians lived in the shadow of Great Britain for so
middle class, and a respectful working class. The United
long, during which time they developed something of an in-
States and Australia, however, are both young nations and
feriority complex. Not so long ago, "a pie and tea" or "fish
both melting pots. Perhaps for this reason the Australian is
and chips" were a staple that, in an unspoken way, were de-
generally at ease with the American.
fiantly asserted to be adequate "tucker" for any "real
Australian." Today it is different, thanks largely to immi-
"Aussie-born, eh?" said the immigration officer at Sydney
gration. Although bare-armed and wearing sandals, diners
airport as he flipped through my American passport when I
in Melbourne and Sydney will peer lengthily at wine lists,
arrived for a recent visit. "Yeah," I grunted in my best Aus-
fuss over the right sauce for the duckling, and dispute the
tralian accent. "Good-there's not many of us left," said the
most appropriate seasoning for the lamb.
middle-aged officer with a smile.
The emergence of an Australian culinary tradition is part of
The changes wrought by immigration impress a returning
a growing nationalism, in which Australia can be seen to be
native son. Nearly half of Australia's population was either
moving away from Great Britain and forging an identity of
born outside Australia or has at least one parent who was.
its own. Movies of international repute, Aboriginal art, a
So far, only some 5% of the population is Asian (under 2%
quality wine industry, and a vibrant theater have given
are Aborigines), but more than half the immigrants who
Australians new cultural confidence in themselves.
have arrived in recent years are Asian.
The most Australian thing you can do is lie on a clean, wide,
The approach of a Eurasian Australia has been made possi-
beautiful beach. The beach possesses the Australian soul
ble by some basic changes in Australian policy and be-
because it is an undeniably Australian asset for a people
havior. A massive European migration following World
xxvi
Introduction
xxvii
Introduction
War II accustomed Australians to new arrivals who
trade-union avarice, growing corruption, steep taxes, and
brought different foods, languages, and values. The long-
a certain "don't care" mentality.
standing British flavor of Australia became diluted as
Australia's economic problems have put severe pressure on
Greeks, Italians, and Yugoslavs settled in the big cities.
a social unity that had been taken for granted. Unemployed
Tourist travel by Australians to Southeast Asia and Japan
youth do not like to see Asian immigrants take jobs they
liberalized Australian racial attitudes, as did the presence
feel should be theirs. Special favors for Aborigines, howev-
of thousands of Asian students who have graduated from
er justified by history and by need, are less widely sup-
Australian universities in recent decades. In the 1970s, as
ported now than during the healthier economic years of the
the arrival of Vietnamese refugees began an era of Asian
1970s. Meanwhile, this ancient people's life expectancy is
immigration, both Labour and conservative (Liberal-
20 years less than the Australian average, and Aboriginal
National) governments put forward the doctrine of
infant mortality is three times that of non-Aborigines. In
multiculturalism to express a new ethnic pluralism. Having
many ways, Australia's ancient past and its beckoning
tried to ward off Asia for so many years, Australia has finally
multicultural future tug in sharply different directions.
begun to accept its geographic location in the world and
is realigning itself accordingly. Today, Indonesia (as a de-
Australia has been kept pleasant and peaceable by a practi-
fense worry) and Japan (as an economic partner) outweigh in
cal, if sometimes hit-or-miss approach to issues, a lack of
priority any European country in Australia's foreign pol-
compelling ideologies, an agreeable climate, and a beauti-
ful landscape. Some Australians wonder if all this will be
icy.
enough for tomorrow's challenges. A minister of Prime
ustralian urban life has become more cosmopolitan,
Minister Bob Hawke's government has suggested that Aus-
A
with Chinese restaurants, Italian coffee lounges,
tralia should forget about being the "lucky country" and
and Vietnamese and Lebanese grocery stores in
strive to be a "clever country"-competing in Asia through
virtually every suburb. Greeks and Yugoslavs teach school
high-tech development, ingenuity, and flexibility.
classes that are half Vietnamese and Chinese-yesterday's
students teaching today's-with gum trees outside the
In the meantime, a young nation with few glorious mo-
window and cricket played during the sports hour.
ments in its past is still crystallizing its identity. An
exciting maturation has been occurring as diverse immigra-
Eventually, Australia will complete the transformation
tion, artistic excellence, and the pleasures of a comfortable,
from British outpost to Eurasian melting pot. The statis-
safe, and healthy life all bring a new pride and sophistica-
tics prove the country's allure: Each year more than 1
tion to the country.
million people apply to emigrate to Australia, but less than
10% can be accepted. When I was at college in Melbourne 30
As a returning native son over recent years, I have found a
years ago, some feared that Southeast-Asian countries
people who seem to enjoy life considerably more than they
might fail to resist the Communist threat, turning Austral-
admit. Scratch an Australian, and you find in him a deep
ia into the "last domino." Today, some fear that the capital-
satisfaction at being where he is. I asked former Prime
ist economies of Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, and Taiwan
Minister Malcolm Fraser, who has a large farm near
might succeed so well that Australia will be left behind as a
Melbourne, what nationalism means to him. "Simply that
backwater in a dynamic "yellow sea." In some respects the
Australia is the best country in the world to live in," the 6'5"
"lucky country," as Australia is sometimes called, seems
grazier answered crisply.
out of luck. The farmers are in debt, and industry labors un-
On a perfect morning after a recent visit, I flew out from
der the disadvantages of a small internal market and high
Melbourne's bucolic Tullamarine Airport for California. As
costs. The country's foreign debt is so huge that nearly a
the 747 swept down into San Francisco, I felt a ball of satis-
quarter of yearly export income goes to pay interest on it,
faction in my stomach upon regaining a faster lane. Yet I
and both the inflation rate (9%) and the unemployment rate
knew I would miss the sincerity and unpretentious "fair
(6½%) are very high.
dinkum" character of the Australians.
Australia has space but few people. "It's amazing to Japa-
nese," a Tokyo banker based in Perth said to me, "that the
flight from Sydney to Perth takes the same time (4½ hours)
as the flight from Tokyo to Hong Kong." The territory has
to be covered-communities need postal service, water,
electricity-but the level of economic activity does not yet
exist for it to be done without strain. The high cost of doing
business in Australia has been further exacerbated by
44
Australia at a Glance: A Chronology
45
Australia at a Glance:
1804 Hobart Town and Port Dalrymple penal settlements (united in
1812) are established in Van Diemen's Land, and the Aborigi-
A Chronology
nes are gradually wiped out.
1809-1821 Lachlan Macquarie, governor of New South Wales, establishes
the basis of the modern city of Sydney with the help of convict-
architect Francis Greenway (who earned his freedom through
his designs).
c. 28,000 BC First Aboriginal settlers reach Australia-perhaps when it
was still connected to Asia.
1813 Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson, and William Charles
c. AD 150 Claudius Ptolemy, Roman astronomer and geographer, hy-
Wentworth discover a route through the Blue Mountains, open-
ing the way for westward expansion.
pothesizes existence of a southern "Terra Incognita" (Un-
known Land).
1823 New South Wales is named a Crown Colony.
c. 1500 Following rediscovery of Ptolemy's Geography, "Terra Austra-
1824 Moreton Bay Penal Colony (Queensland) was established by
lis" (Southern Land) appears on some world maps.
Governor Brisbane (for whom the site was later named) to in-
carcerate the worst convicts from New South Wales.
1606 Willem Jansz of the Dutch East India Company touches New
Guinea and Australia (Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland), but
1825 Van Diemen's Land becomes a separate colony; free settlers be-
thinks they are a single land mass; the Spaniard Luis de Torres
gin to arrive.
sails through the strait between Australia and New Guinea,
1829 Western Australia is annexed and becomes Australia's first
now the Torres Strait, also without recognizing a new conti-
free colony, but later receives convicts to relieve labor short-
nent.
age.
1616-1619 En route to the Dutch colony at Batavia (Indonesia), Dirk
Hartog and Jan Houtman discover and explore the southwest-
1835 John (Victoria). Batman and John Fawkner establish claims at Port Phillip
ern coast of Australia, then known as New Holland.
1642 Commissioned to explore New Holland by Anthony van
1836 Melbourne is laid out. South Australia is declared a separate
colony.
Diemen, Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, Abel Tas-
man sails around Australia without sighting its coast. Instead,
1839 Captain J. C. Wickham of HMS Beagle discovers a harbor on
he discovers New Zealand and a land mass he names Van
the northern coast, which he names Port Darwin, after Charles
Diemen's Land (now Tasmania).
Darwin.
1688 English pirate and adventurer, William Dampier, lands on the
1840 Last convicts are sent to New South Wales; free settlers arrive
northwestern coast. He touches on this coast again in 1699;
in Queensland.
Swift and Defoe make use of his accounts in Gulliver's Travels
1842 Copper is found in South Australia.
and Robinson Crusoe.
1849 Last convicts are sent to Queensland.
1770 James Cook (1728-1778) anchors HMS Endeavour in Botany
Bay. He continues north along the coast for several weeks, nav-
1851 Victoria is proclaimed a colony; gold is discovered at Ophir in
igating the Great Barrier Reef and completing the map of New
New South Wales. Over the next decade 400,000 settlers flock
Holland. Claiming the area for England, he calls it New South
to New South Wales and Victoria for the Gold Rush.
Wales.
1853 Last convicts are sent to Van Diemen's Land, renamed Tasma-
1779 Joseph Banks, who accompanied Cook on the Endeavor, recom-
nia in 1856.
mends to the House of Commons the establishment of a penal
colony at Botany Bay.
1854 Miners' rebellion erupts over licensing fees at the Eureka
Stockade near Ballarat (Victoria).
1788 Captain Arthur Phillip lands the first fleet of convicts at Bota-
ny Bay, but finds Banks's account of its salubrious climate to be
1859 Queensland is proclaimed a separate colony.
exaggerated. Nonetheless, he formally takes possession of
1868 Last convicts are transported to Western Australia.
eastern Australia as the colony of New South Wales and lays
1869 Darwin (Northern Territory) is surveyed.
out a village to be named Sydney, after Viscount Sydney, the
British Home Secretary.
1873 Ayers Rock, the world's largest monolithic rock, is sighted by
1796 Spanish Merino sheep, with their highly prized wool, are intro-
William Gosse in central Australia and named after the gover-
nor of South Australia.
duced.
1798 Matthew Flinders and George Bass discover that Van Diemen's
1880 Bushranger Ned Kelly, a notorious highwayman, is captured
Land is an island; New South Wales claims it for Britain.
in a shootout at Glenrowan, Victoria. He is hanged and be-
comes a folk hero.
1803 Risdon Cove settlement is established in Van Diemen's Land;
1892-3 Gold is discovered at Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie (Western Aus-
settlement at Port Phillip (now Melbourne) is attempted.
tralia).
Portraits of Australia
46
47
1901 Federal Commonwealth of Australia is established; Melbourne
becomes provisional capital.
Bush Pubs: A Window
1911 Australian Capital Territory is ceded from New South Wales;
onto the Outback
Walter Burley Griffin of Chicago wins competition to design
new capital city of Canberra.
1914 Australia enters World War I and experiences heavy losses in
the Gallipoli campaign (1915).
by Tony Horwitz
never miss a pub," Bill Gillholey says by way of intro-
1920-32 Sydney Harbour Bridge is built.
Tony Horwitz is
duction. "No chance." I am in the Northern Territory,
1927 First Federal Parliament meets in Canberra.
an American who
on a motorized pub crawl from Tennant Creek to
quit his job as a
Wauchope to Tea Tree to Alice. Each settlement a pub, each
1929 Railroad reaches the town of Alice Springs (Northern Terri-
journalist in
pub a snort or two of blue [Foster's beer]. Then back on the
tory).
Sydney to
road, like two men in a canoe, weaving down a river of beer.
1939 Australia enters World War II; Darwin is severely bombed by
hitchhike through
the Japanese in 1941-42.
"Europe, it has the culture," Bill says, holding the steering
the Australian
wheel in one hand and spilling a beer with the other. "Aus-
1950 Australia enters the Korean War.
outback. In this
tralia, Australia it has the pubs."
1966 First contingent of Australian troops arrives in Vietnam.
extract from One
for the Road, a
Bill left his native Hungary after the Communist takeover
1967 Prime Minister Harold Holt disappears while swimming off
book he wrote
in the 1950s. He opposed the new regime and couldn't find
Victorian coast and is believed drowned.
about his
work as a mining engineer. Bill hasn't found engineering
1974 Cyclone Tracy destroys most of Darwin.
experiences,
work in the Territory either, but he's stayed, laboring as a
1975 Governor General Sir John Kerr, the Queen's representative in
Horwitz describes
handyman on outback stations and moonlighting as a pub
Canberra, summarily dismisses Prime Minister Gough Whit-
the journey to
crawler of Olympian dimension. He even adopted the sur-
lam, provoking a constitutional crisis.
Alice Springs in
name of an Irishman he met over a green can somewhere in
the red heart of
Darwin. At the Top End, it seems, beer helps cement the
1978 Northern Territory becomes self-governing.
Australia.
ethnic mosaic together.
1986 Australia Act ends power of the United Kingdom to affect Aus-
tralian law.
Beer is also the lifeblood of the Territory's road traffic.
There is one central artery, the Stuart Highway, running
1988 Australia celebrates its bicentennial.
from Darwin to the South Australian border. Smaller ves-
1990 Prime Minister Bob Hawke wins fourth electoral victory for
sels feed into it all along the way, carrying goods and traffic
the Labour Party.
from the body corporal into the greater flow. It is at the
junctions that the roadhouses appear to pump and prime
the system with gas and beer.
There is nowhere else to stop along the hot dusty drive
down "The Track," as Territorians call the Stuart High-
way. So the same faces appear at every pub. Travelers
drink and nod at one another, then move in a convoy to the
next hotel. By Alice Springs, I will know everybody at the
bar.
If I don't lose consciousness. Pub crawling with Bill makes
me realize how much I still have to learn about Australian-
style drinking. Americans don't necessarily drink less but
they do drink differently. A beer or two after work. Cock-
tails before dinner. Maybe a blow-out at the weekend. Like
everything else in the United States, drinking is done at
prescribed times, for a prescribed purpose. And there are
still "dry counties" in the Bible Belt where drinking isn't
done in public, at least not legally. Elsewhere, there is a
growing rebellion against anything caloric or intoxicating:
"lite beer" and diet cola are the products of a lingering Puri-
tanical strain.
\ Australia's_Natural_Capital
IT'S an inspirational place.
and the unforgettable
CANBERRA
A city in harmony with
War Memorial.
nature, it's a stylish blend
Family favorites include the
of modern highways and meandering cycle
Opal and Gemstone Museum, historic Lanyon
paths, national attractions and rustic home-
Homestead, Telecom Tower, Rehwinkel's Ani-
steads, of haute cuisine and country picnics.
mal Park and the Tram and Bike Museum.
While most cities have parks scattered
It's also the ideal setting for sportslovers. A
through them, Canberra can best be described
marvellous spot for raising a sweat or reviving
as a city scattered through a park. Not
one's spirits. For players of tennis and golf,
only the national capital, but also the
for cyclists, swimmers, walkers
natural capital.
and sailors, Canberra offers
No matter where you are or where you look,
options galore.
you see trees. Millions of them. Like a lady
It's the home of the Raiders
changing her make-up, Canberra is a city of
and the Cannons, the venue for
seasons. Pink spring blossoms, sun drenched
the Black Opal Stakes, the Hot Air Balloon
summers, crisp orange autumns and crystal
Gathering and the Sri Chinmoy Triathlon.
blue winter skies.
And just a two hour drive from the snowfields
Dotted around this garden city are some of
and south coast beaches.
Australia's most important attractions too,
In Canberra one tends to eat out often. With
such as the splendid Parliament House,
a rich mix of ethnic origins among the city's
the Australian National
300 restaurants, the
Gallery with its great
world is indeed your
collection, the fun-
oyster. And the entertain-
filled Science and
ment and nightlife is as
PARLIAMENT HOUSE
CANBERRA A.C.T.
Technology Centre
diverse and vibrant as you'd
Get to know Canberra, go and visit it, spend a little time here to get to know your way around and you'll love it jus
expect to find in a growing city of
Then of course there's duty free shopping,
nearly 300,000.
designer fashion houses, marbled department
And there are oodles too of marvellous
stores and boutiques and galleries offering
outdoor attractions which can only be
exquisite pieces of local craftsmanship. But
discovered during a leisurely
you'd expect that.
Canberra stopover.
After all, this is Canberra. The ideal place for
TELECOM TOWER
Like Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
Canberra A.C.T
a few days break or an extended holiday.
and spectacular Namadgi
Discover for yourself what makes the cap-
National Park which bring a natural tran-
ital such a special
quility to Canberra's doorstep. Not far away
place to stay.
is the striking Space Tracking station and the
hair-raising Corin Forest Alpine Slide.
The enchanting miniature village of Cocking-
ton Green with its hand-made buildings and
delicious gardens is something purely Can-
SYDNEY
berran, now as much a part of the capital as
Question Time in the House, running by
Goulburn
Yass
the lake at lunchtime or afternoon
tea at the Hyatt.
CANBERRA
Batemans Bay
And if you visit in spring, try to
time your trip to take in the
CANBERRA
Albury
Cooma
month-long Floriade Festival of flowers
Wodonga
Mt Kosciusko
or, in the autumn, the colourful
Thredbo
Canberra Festival.
MELBOURNE
much as I do.
Dame Pattie Menzies
The morning and evening lights at
Canberra are wonderful. The shad-
OWS of the clouds and the mists as
they cross the mountains are very
beautiful indeed.
,
Walter Burley Griffin,
Canberra's designer.
ANBERRA, born in 1913, is the tailor-
made national capital of Australia. Meticu-
lously planned and carefully laid out, it is a
world capital of undeniable beauty, merging
with nature at every opportunity.
The most eye-catching landmark, and Austra-
lia's most visited attraction, is the billion dollar
Parliament House. Australian
materials predominate in
this extraordinary building
and the stonework, timbers and
81 metre flagmast all add to its grandeur.
If placed end to end, the 24,000 granite slabs
used in the building's construction would
stretch 46 kilometres, while enough concrete
was poured into it to build 25 Sydney Opera
Houses!The interior encompasses 4,500 rooms
including the kitchens which can prepare 8,000
meals a day.
It was a long time coming, superseding the
elegant 'old' Parliament building in May 1988,
but has quickly earned its
tag as Australia's build-
ing of the century. It is
undoubtedly one of the
capital's 'must see' attrac-
tions and the ideal starting point
for the sightseer.
I am very impressed with this
city, not at all what I expected.
,
Lyn Ferguson, Scotland
ANBERRA is crammed with special attrac-
tions. Without question, the Australian
National Gallery has the finest modern art collection
in the Southern Hemisphere. Not to mention its huge array of Aboriginal
and Australian art, photography, theatre art and sculpture. If you're
serious you can spend half a day!
Afterwards you might walk across the connecting ramp to the chunky
High Court and take a peek at the striking series of murals by
Jan Senbergs.
Beautiful, intriguing, moving, humbling - all these words describe the
experience of the Australian War Memorial. It's a vast museum of
memorabilia, dioramas and art, all paying tribute to the nation's contri-
bution to past conflicts.
It's not a well known fact, but early this century Australia was the movie
capital of the world. At the National Film and Sound Archive you can
relive the magic moments of Australian showbiz from the silent movie
classics right through
to Crocodile Dundee.
II the Wealth
of a Nation
"FOR THE TERM OF
HIS NATURAL LIFE
MARCUS CLARKES IMMORTAL STORY-
UNION MASTER WORLD PRODUCTION, PRODUCED BY
NORMAN DAWN FOR AUSTRALASIAN FILMS LTD
Very beautiful city and
very kind people, but
I'm tired.
H. Kawato,
Yokohama,
Japan.
In between attractions enjoy the scenery. Early
morning is ideal for a round of golf. You won't
need to queue but you might have to put up with
a marsupial spectator or two. Perhaps you'd prefer
a stroll through a rain-forest at the Botanic Gar-
dens. Or, if feeling more energetic, make a splash
white water rafting down the Murrumbidgee River.
All this activity is likely to give an edge to your
appetite. The menu for today might include a
leisurely luncheon cruise, a barbecue on a sheep
station, a picnic at Rehwinkel's Animal Park or
perhaps some exquisite delicacy at a misty
hideaway.
You could always call into the National Aquarium
where a catch is guaranteed. They'll even cook it for you on the spot! Have a look at the
thousands of fish, sharks, turtles and just about everything that swims while
you're there.
As the national capital, Canberra is home to over 70 diplomatic missions.
Striking buildings such as the Chinese and American embas-
sies and the High Commissions of India and Papua New
Guinea are attractions many stop to see.
12
Absolutely love it. Think I'll marry a diplomat just to stay here.
Anne Gearside, Sydney.
SEARCH FOR
BURIED
TREASURE
probably won't appear on your holi-
day itinerary. Alas, it seems the
romantic days of unexpected discov-
eries are gone forever well, not
quite. By now it's no secret that
Canberra has many great buildings
but the real secrets are contained
within, safely entombed in modern
HAND RENNY
chambers. By digging just a little
MASSA
deeper, in fact simply by walking
inside these national buildings, you'll
encounter the precious possessions of
the nation. You'll discover historic
manuscripts, dazzling art and bul-
lion enough to ransom several kings.
HOUSE AUST
You'll unearth priceless urns, stately
silver and the gold of ancient civili-
ALIA
*ONE
OFFICIAL JESTY THE
BUSE CANBERRA
zations. The Australian National
Gallery, the National Library and the
Australian War Memorial, to name
just three, possess collections of world
A
renown, while the National Film and
L
T
R
S
A
Sound Archive preserves the nation's
37
memories for all to enjoy. Explore
"
Canberra's national buildings and
discover the treasures
for yourself.
quinoctialis
Weaskring
Knefts
Holland
-
J
A fine capital city indeed. Many people have worked very hard to make
this a treasured capital of the world. David Templeman, Mandurah WA.
AH HA STAR
and
S
C
Mc
FROM - MR. U-B NRS MISSHMON
Angre
mms Lebis
III
Diffu
RUNS
THE
property
grara
40c
loco
mbm
AUSTRALIA
Clobie Commin leare notrum CCILLE
Aboriginal Culture: Music and Dance
COLORA
CC
5
C
4
C
DOLLARS
TED
T
HERE aren't too many other places
in the world where you can sail or windsurf in
the heart of the city, wake up to clean air and
clear views or choose from a hundred different
outdoor settings for lunch.
A flight in a hot-air balloon is prob-
ably one of the most breathtaking
yet relaxing things one can do. In
Canberra, you'll float away from the
city centre into a vast blue horizon. With
favorable breezes you may be lucky enough
to land near one of the region's award
winning wineries.
Chances are you'll float over the National
Science & Technology Centre - an amazing
world of glee and gadgets. Call in later and
discover the hundreds of "hands-on" exhibits
for you to touch and tinker with. They even
have earthquakes on the hour!
Spring in Canberra is an explosion of blossom.
Visitors from far and wide tend to coincide
their spring visit with the month-long Floriade Festival. This
annual festival of flowers, with a sea of more than half a
million specially planted bulbs, provides a huge splash
of colour in Commonwealth Park.
Another notable event on the Canberra calendar is the 10
day Canberra Festival in March. Held during the capital's balmy
autumn, the Canberra Festival is largely outdoors with the emphasis
on music, fine food and fun-filled activities.
National
Park
Леимо!
Colour
$
Guide
Our Backyard Colour
Rowney
1!0
nese Blue
IT'S not quite a secret,
(150m)
WAL ARTIST
NATIONAL TOPOGRAPHIC MAPSENIES
although not many people seem
to know, that nearly 70 per cent of the
ACT is national park or native
/
bushland. That's some playground!
If you enjoy camping out, climbing
or bushwalking, there are few better spots
in Australia than the ACT's
Namadgi National Park.
If you need a little guidance,
the Visitor Centre at Namadgi is
the ideal starting point.
The Nature Reserve at Tidbinbilla is
excellent for bushwalking and also offers
the chance to mingle with kangaroos,
wombats, emus and perhaps even a
FOREST
jabiru. And the 'Koala here today' signs
will have you scanning the tall gums.
NANADGI
NATIONAL
RANGE
HEIGHTS METRES
If your holiday itinerary limits you to the
city sights of Canberra there's really only one
solution ~ stay an extra day and go bush!
Canberra's hills
04
STATE
CANON
NOOZ NONES
TIOBINBILLA Guide to
Die
It
excursion
LENS
Foreshores
&
E
11.50
E
Native
Trees ACT
Caron my K
STATE
25
6
I
the
TRE ed KI Gdipos
you
BXD
M
2000
MURBUMBATEMAN TEL: (06) HIghway WINERY
CA
BROOKS S
creek
VINEYARD V N
R
E
D
R
Y
D
0
LARK 1990 HILL
ICLASS 2) !!! DISTRICT BEST CANBERRA
Dr Hill
Chardonn
District Wine
H
X
Parcel of Smoked served with Tasmanian Spring a Chicken Salmon Pumpking APPETIZE filled filled a RAW and Cafe with P S
E
y
La
Dolce:
any
Pondents
RAGE
Olims
Cims
Lantern BAR& The
ampm
BISTRO
Roberts
*
FRINGE
BENEFITS
*
}
mallez's
PianoBar Bar
12
GITANO
9
3
NCE upon a time,
many years ago, Canberra's
sandman tip-toed around the
city streets tucking it away well
Maddies
before midnight. Well, times
have certainly changed in the
old town and these days what-
ever nocturnal activities you seek
you'll find!
Just try squeezing 300 restau-
rants, 70 clubs, cinemas, night-
clubs, concerts and theatre into
a few days break and chances
are you'll be seeing plenty of
sunrises!
E
B
CANBERRA
P
O
I
N
T
S
Location: Latitude 35 degrees south (roughly
the same distance from the Equator as the
Island of Crete, San Francisco or Tokyo). As the
seagull flies, Canberra is about 150 kms inland
and 571 metres above the Pacific Ocean. It's an
easy three hour drive from Sydney and a
50 minute flight from Melbourne.
Size: Canberra is surrounded by its own mini-
state, a special 2,359 square km tract of hills
and valleys known as the Australian Capital
Territory. Population of 300,000 friendly souls.
Climate: Four distinct seasons - colourful
spring times, warm to hot summers, balmy
autumns and crisp winters. Lots of sunshine all
year round (more than Sydney or Melbourne).
Getting Around: Efficient government-run
bus system, plenty of taxis, rent-a-cars and
limousines. Explorer Bus to all the major sights.
Your hotel can book you on a guided tour by
coach or car. Cycling is easy thanks to the
extensive and picturesque network of cycle
paths.
Communications: Fast, efficient and direct
to Melbourne, Miami or Mars (Canberra's
Tidbinbilla tracking station is part of the Deep
Space network).
O
F
V
I
E
W
I have travelled all over the world, but never have I seen such
beautiful buildings.
Senta Muller, West Berlin, FRG
I fell in love with a city today.
Michael Tracey, Grand Junction, Colorado, USA
A lovely end to a round Australia tour.
,
Barrie and Mary Southwood, Scotland
Produced by the ACT Tourism Commission,
Design team: George Mackintosh, Barbara Jones, Robert Beattie.
Special Photography: Leigh Atkinson, Stuart Owen Fox, Derek Ross, John Baker.
Illustrations: Barbara Mau, Marje Crosby-Fairall.
Cover: Section of Tapestry, Great Hall, Parliament House. Recreated by Victorian
Tapestry Workshop, from painting by Arthur Boyd. Photo by Matt Kelso.
Silver Coat of Arms: Designed by Robin Blau, photo by Debra Phillips.
In preparing 'Our Backyard', the Commission thanks ACT Parks and Conservation
Service, Australian National Botanic Gardens and Mountain Designs, Canberra.
Finished Art: Thomas Mackintosh Design. Typesetting: Brown & Co.
Film Separations: Ross Graphics. Printed by Inprint.
A c T
TOURISM
COMMISSION
FOR ALL YOUR
CANBERRA
HOLIDAY
RESERVATIONS
CONTACT
ACT TOURISM
COMMISSION
CANBERRA
GPO Box 744
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia
(06) 245 6464
008 026,166
SYDNEY
14 Martin Place
Sydney NSW 2000
(02) 233 3666
008 222 038
MELBOURNE
102 Elizabeth St
Melbourne VIC 3000
(03) 654 5088
008 335 363
Australia
in brief
to
ARIGOS
80
A World Cup series showjumping event is held in Canberra
three Commonwealth Games, in
sponsorship. Commercial and
Sydney (1938), Perth (1962) and
product sponsorship, linked
Brisbane (1982).
strongly to increased television
Australia
Australians have won 67 Ol-
coverage of sport, is crédited with
ympic gold medals, mostly in
a sharp increase in prize money.
swimming. Australia has pro-
in brief
duced famous international cham-
Government involvement
pions and world record holders in
The Federal Government's alloca-
many sports. They include Dawn
tion to sport and recreation in 1990-
Fraser and Shane Gould (swim-
91 through the Department of the
ming), Jack Brabham and Alan
Arts, Sport, the Environment,
Jones (motor racing), Sir Donald
Tourism and Territories was $68.2
Bradman and Dennis Lillee
million. This included additional
(cricket), Herb Elliott, Ron Clarke
funding under the "Next Step" ini-
and Betty Cuthbert (running),
tiative which will see more than
Robert de Castella (marathon), Ken
$230 million provided to sport and
This is the 39th edition of Australia
Warby (speed boat), Margaret
recreation over the four-year pe-
in Brief. It provides a comprehen-
Court, Evonne Cawley, Rod Laver,
riod 1989-90 to 1992-93, an increase
sive selection of facts and figures
John Newcombe and Ken Rosewall
of more than $100 million.
on Australia in compact form. This
(tennis).
The Australian Sportsd Com-
booklet has been prepared by
mission, a statutory authority
Overseas Information Branch, De-
Water sports have a huge fol-
funded by the Federal Government
partment of Foreign Affairs and
lowing in Australia and the high
interest in sailing is reflected in
was established in 1984. The com-
Trade. The help received from
mission was amalgamated with the
Australian Government depart-
Australia's entry in every Ameri-
ca's Cup challenge since 1967. The
Australian Institute of Sport and
ments, associated organisations
and elements of the Department of
and other authorities is gratefully
effort was rewarded with victory
in September 1983 when Australia
Arts, Sport, the Environment
acknowledged. Money values are
II became the first foreign yacht to
Tourism and Territories in 1989.
in Australian currency. Weights
and measures are metric. Unless
win the cup which had been held
The new organisation, became the
sole body responsiblke for the
otherwise indicated, information
by the US since 1851. Australia
Government's efforts on behalf of
is current to 31 January 1991.
staged an unsuccessful defence of
the cup in Perth in 1987.
sport at both the elite and com-
munity and participation levels.
Cover: A cattle muster on
Funding
Innamincka Station, a beef
Two significant changes in sports
raising property in South
890/21284
Australia. Left: Australia's
Produced by Overseas Information Branch,
financing have occurred in the past
Cat. No. 90 13855
multicultural heritage is
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
10 years government backing and
ISSN 0815-9939
Editor: Brian Cummins, Designer: Ron Butters.
Printed in Sydney, Australia by
reflected in Australia Day
Published by the Australian Government
a spectacular rise in commercial
Imprimatur Press
celebrations.
Publishing Service, Canberra, 1991.
World Cup women's hockey
2
79
brought top international
teams to Australia.
Sport
Sport in Australia is varied and
CONTENTS
readily accessible to all
ITS
Australia has more than 100
Introduction
3
national sporting organisations and
The land
6
thousands of State, regional and
The people
10
club bodies. It is estimated that
Government
14
more than eight million people-
International relations
18
almost half the total population -
Defence
23
are registered sports participants.
The economy
27
Many more are involved in activi-
Trade
33
ties such as fishing, bushwalking,
Resources and energy
35
recreational boating, horse riding
Map of Australia
40
and fitness programs.
Manufacturing industry
42
Australians are also enthusias-
Primary industry
46
tic sports watchers. Crowds of
Labour and
more than 100 000 are common in
industrial relations
50
Melbourne for the grand final of
Science and technology
52
the Australian Rules football com-
Transport and
petition and a world record one-
communications
55
day attendance of 90 800 people
Social security
58
watched an Australia-West Indies
Education
60
cricket match in 1961.
Health
63
Australia is one of only three
Housing
67
nations to have competed at every
Environment
69
modern Olympic Games and has
The arts
72
been represented at all 13 Com-
The media
75
monwealth Games. It staged the
Tourism
77
1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne
Sport
79
and has been the host nation for
78
activities, sport, recreation and
for tourists to a minimum. How-
shopping facilities in its modern
ever, all visitors must have visitor
cities.
visas and current passports, which
Climatically, its regions range
should be valid for three months
from winter snowfields to arid
longer than the intended stay. The
deserts to monsoonal rain forests.
only exceptions are citizens of New
In general, however, it is a country
Zealand, who require only valid
conducive to outdoor holidays.
New Zealand passports. Applica-
Major centres of tourist inter-
tions for visas can be made at Aus-
est include the Great Barrier Reef
tralian Government offices
and the Gold Coast resort area in
overseas. A return or onward-pas-
Queensland; Ayers Rock and Alice
sage ticket or evidence of enough
Introduction
Springs in the hot dry centre of the
funds for the period of intended
continent; the winter snow resorts
stay may be required. On arrival in
in the Australian Alps; the wide
Australia, visitors will be asked to
AUSTRALIA is a relatively young
stretches of beaches; Canberra, the
produce completed incoming pas-
Geography
nation established in an ancient
Australia's land mass of nearly
elaborately planned national capi-
senger cards (which are usually
distributed aboard aircraft and
land. Its development represents a
7.7 million km² has extremes of
tal; and the six State capital cities,
each with its individual style. These
ships), passports and visas. Visi-
triumph over remoteness and harsh
climate and topography.
landscape. At the time of Austral-
There are rainforests and vast
and most parts of Australia are
tors cannot undertake employment
ia's settlement as a British penal
accessible to tourists via an exten-
or formal studies and are expected
plains in the north (almost 40 per
sive road, rail and air network.
to leave at the end of their author-
colony in 1788, there were about
cent of the country lies in the
1530 British settlers and an
Coach operators, airlines and rail-
tropics), snowfields in the south-
ised stay.
estimated 300 000 Aborigines
east, desert in the centre and fertile
ways offer concessional fares and
holiday packages to tourists.
Accommodation
in Australia. Six British colo-
croplands in the east, south and
A wide range of hotel, motel and
nies eventually were established
south-west.
Tourist offices
apartment accommodation is
on the continent. In 1901, these
Australia is one of the world's
Official State and Territory tourist
available in most cities, major re-
colonies joined as a federation and
most urbanised countries, with
offices are located in all Australian
sorts and many rural areas. There
became independent of Britain.
about 70 per cent of the population
capital cities and in some major
is a growing number of interna-
Today, Australia is an independent
living in the 10 largest cities. For
regional centres. They have expert
tional-standard convention fa-
Western democracy with a popu-
instance, more than six million
local knowledge and can help with
cilities. There are also camping
lation of 17.03 million. Its economy
people live in the two largest cities,
accommodation, transport advice
parks, many with on-site caravans
is diverse with large scale resource
Sydney and Melbourne.
and tour needs.
or cabins.
development, highly productive
primary industries, a full range
Trade
Passports and visas
of secondary manufacturing and
Australia ranks about 20th in the
The Australian Government
an expanding base of new
world in value of its international
tries to keep entry requirements
technology.
trade. In the year ended 30 June
4
Ocean beach front at the
premier tourist destination,
77
Queensland's Gold Coast.
1990, Australia's two-way trade
tralia Fair. Formerly recognised as
totalled $100 069 million.
Australia's national tune', it was
declared the national anthem in
Income
April 1984, replacing God Save the
Gross average weekly earnings for
Queen, which was designated the
fulltime employed adult persons
royal anthem.
were $577.
Tourism
National colours
GDP
Australia officially adopted the
Domestic and international tour-
Australia's gross domestic prod-
colours green and gold as its na-
ism is among the biggest indus-
uct in the 12 months ended 30 June
tional colours in 1984.
tries in Australia, representing 5.1
1990 was $368.6 billion in current
price unadjusted terms. Australia
Language
per cent of gross domestic product
and directly or indirectly provid-
had the ninth largest GDP of OECD
Australia's official language is
ing about 441 000 jobs.
member countries in 1989.
English, by common usage rather
In the financial year ended 30
than law. 'Australian' English does
June 1990, more than 2.1 million
not differ significantly from other
tourists visited Australia, generat-
forms of English, although some
ing foreign exchange earnings of
colloquial and slang expressions
$6.2 billion.
are unique to Australia.
The Australian Government's
Coat of arms
tourism marketing authority, the
Australian Tourist Commission,
Australia's coat of arms - the offi-
promotes Australia as a tourist
Flag
cial emblem of the Australian Gov-
destination in overseas markets
The flag of Australia is the only one
ernment - was granted by King
through its offices in Auckland,
to fly over a whole continent. The
George V in 1912. The arms consist
Frankfurt, London, Los Angeles,
small Union Jack represents the
of a shield containing the badges of
New York, Toronto, Chicago, To-
historical link with Britain, the large
the six states. The supporters are
kyo, Osaka and Singapore.
seven-pointed star represents the
native Australian fauna - a kanga-
six states and the territories, and
roo and an emu. A yellow-flow-
Attractions
the small stars form the Southern
ered native plant, wattle, also
Australia is safe and friendly to
Cross - a prominent feature of the
appears in the design.
international visitors. It is a land of
southern hemisphere night sky.
contrasts, offering a rich variety of
National day
National anthem
wilderness areas, expansive
Australia Day, on 26 January,
beaches, flora and fauna, a rugged,
Australia's national anthem is a
marks the date in 1788 when Cap-
pioneering way of life in its sparsely
revised version of a late 19th-cen-
tain Arthur Phillip of the British
settled outback regions and of so-
tury patriotic song, Advance Aus-
Royal Navy, commanding a fleet
phisticated entertainment, cultural
After their naturalisation ceremony, these new citizens
76
proudly display their certificates of citizenship.
5
The foreign-language press is
vided by Federal Parliament. In
of 11 ships, sailed into Port Jackson
capital Canberra, and which in-
growing in volume and circulation
1990-91, the ABC was allocated
(Sydney Cove). Phillip formally
cludes Jervis Bay Territory, and the
and the suburban press is signifi-
$514 million. The Government also
took possession of the eastern part
Northern Territory (NT).
cant in the major cities.
provides funding for ethnic radio
of the continent for England and
Australia is also responsible for
There is a flourishing periodi-
and multicultural television
established a settlement on what is
administering seven external terri-
cal press, including general inter-
through the SBS.
now the centre of Australia's larg-
tories - Norfolk Island, the unin-
est, women's, business and other
There are four ABC radio net-
est city, Sydney.
habited Coral Sea Islands Territory,
nationally distributed magazines,
works-Metropolitan and Regional
the Cocos (Keeling) Islands,
and small specialised journals.
stations, Radio National (specialist
States and Territories
Christmas Island, the uninhabited
spoken word programming), ABC-
Australia has six states New South
Ashmore and Cartier Islands Ter-
News agencies
FM Stereo (fine music and per-
Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South
ritory, the Territory of Heard Is-
Most overseas press agencies are
formance), and Triple-J (a youth
Australia, Western Australia and
land and the McDonald Islands in
represented in Australia, but the
network). The SBS provides multi-
Tasmania. The mainland territo-
the subAntarctic and the Austral-
leading source of overseas news
lingual radio services in Sydney,
ries are the Australian Capital Ter-
ian Antarctic Territory.
for Australian press, television and
Wollongong and Newcastlein New
ritory (ACT), home of the national
radiois Australian Associated Press
South Wales, and Melbourne and
(AAP), established in 1935.
Geelong in Victoria. There are 124
commercial stations on the AM
Radio and television
band and 20 FM stations. Australia
Three statutory authorities have
has 90 public broadcasting stations,
been established to administer the
(82 FM and eight AM).
broadcasting system and provide
The ABC provides a national
broadcasting services. They are
television service with production
the Australian Broadcasting Cor-
and transmission facilities in all
poration (ABC), which provides a
State and Territory capital cities
nationwide noncommercial radio
and a satellite service to remote
and television service and an over-
areas. At January 1991 there were
seas service through Radio Aus-
also 49 commercial television sta-
tralia; the Australian Broadcasting
tions, three satellite stations (in-
Tribunal, which licenses and regu-
cluding the Aboriginal-owned
lates commercial and public radio
Imparja, broadcasting from Alice
and television stations; and the
Springs operated by the Central
Special Broadcasting Service (SBS),
Australian Aboriginal Media As-
a noncommercial multilingual ra-
sociation) and 11 multicultural
dio and multicultural television
stations.
service.
Most of the annual budget of
the ABC is met from funds pro-
The Oberi Rock area of Kakadu
Specialist TV programs
National Park in the Northern
cater for Australia's
75
Territory.
diverse population
The land
Media
Australia has a thriving media
Australia is one of the oldest land
scene, with newspaper readership
masses and is the flattest of the
ranking among the world's high-
continents. After Antarctica, it also
est in proportion to population. At
has the lowest rainfall of any con-
least 95 per cent of the population
tinent. Vast areas are arid or semi-
read newspapers or watch televi-
desert, unsuitable for settlement.
sion, and 99 per cent listen to the
As a result, Australia's population
radio each week. Specialist news-
is small in relation to its overall
papers and radio and television
size.
programs cater for non-English-
It is the sixth largest country in
speaking groups.
area after the Soviet Union, Canada,
China, the United States and Brazil
Newspapers
and is the only nation which oc-
Australia has a diverse metropoli-
cupies an entire continent. It is
tan and country press virtually free
about 25 times larger than Britain
of Government restriction or press
and Ireland, and almost twice the
censorship.
combined areas of India and Paki-
Capital city newspaper circu-
stan. Australia has a coastline of
lations are proportionately among
36 735km.
the highest in the world. Sydney
The climate ranges from tropi-
and Melbourne newspapers have
cal in the north to temperate in the
more than 70 per cent of the total
south. Summer is from December
circulation of capital city dailies.
to February, autumn (fall) from
More than 500 newspapers are
March to May, winter from June to
published in Australia including
August, and spring from Septem-
major dailies, major Sunday
ber to November.
newspapers and more than 350
The average elevation in Aus-
outside the state capitals. Country
tralia is less than 300m, compared
newspapers range from small four-
with the world's mean of about
page weeklies to flourishing dai-
700m. Only about one-twentieth
lies printed on modern presses.
74
7
It holds more than 4.5 million
Australia's major theatre
of the continent is more than 600m
lyptus) with about 500 species, and
books and about 109'000 titles of
school is the National Institute of
above sea level. The Australian
the wattle (acacia) 600 species.
periodicals and newspapers from
Dramatic Art, which was estab-
Alps in the south-eastern area con-
many parts of the world. The Na-
lished in 1958. The national ballet
tain Australia's highest ground,
Fauna
tional Library is more than a re-
company, the Australian Ballet,
with several peaks exceeding
Long isolation from other lands
pository of literature. Departments
was founded in 1962 and is based
1800m and the highest point at
enabled the Australian continent
cover Oriental studies, music,
in Melbourne.
Mount Kosciusko (2228m).
to become a sanctuary for marsu-
manuscripts, maps, rare books,
pials-mammals which suckle their
Community arts
Flora
pictorial history (with 36 000
young in pouches. The better
paintings, drawings and prints and
All levels of government support
Wildflowers turn the arid and sa-
known of Australia's unique ani-
more than 300 000 photographs),
community arts. At the national
vannah grassland areas of Australia
mals include the kangaroo, koala,
area studies, oral history and films.
level support is provided through
into carpets of colour after rain.
platypus, wombat and spiny ant-
the Community Cultural Devel-
The better known wildflowers are
eater. There are 230 species of na-
Music and opera
opment Unit of the Australia
the waratah, flannel flower, desert
tive mammals, 300 of lizard, 140 of
Australia has eight professional
Council. Australia has a vigorous
pea, Christmas bush and kangaroo
snake and two of crocodile. Birdlife
orchestras of substantial size - six
and lively community arts prac-
paw. Native forests are limited
is plentiful, with about 800 species.
symphony orchestras (one in each
tice with professional artists col-
mainly to wetter coastal districts
state capital city) managed by the
laborating with communities in
and rainforests are found mainly
First inhabitants
Australian Broadcasting Corpora-
the development of art works
in Queensland. The most common
Archaeological evidence suggests
tion, and the Australian Opera and
which reflect the issues and con-
native trees are the gum tree (euca-
Australia's first inhabitants, the
Ballet Orchestra and the State Or-
cerns of those communities.
chestra of Victoria which work with
Weather in Australia's capitals
the Australian Opera and the Aus-
Average daily
Average annual
Average number
Mean temperature
Mean temperature
hours of sunshine
rainfall (mm)
of rain days*
for hottest month (°C)
for coldest month(°C)
tralian Ballet
The best known chamber mu-
Adelaide
7.6
559
122
23.0
11.1
sic society in Australia is Musica
Brisbane
7.9
1217
123
25.0
15.0
Viva Australia, which imports in-
ternational groups and arranges
Canberra
7.5
629
108
20.3
5.4
overseas tours for Australian
Darwin
8.5
1669
110
29.2
24.8
groups.
Theatre and dance
Hobart
5.9
628
160
16.5
7.9
Many performing companies in the
Melbourne
6.3
655
147
19.9
9.5
states are supported by the Aus-
Perth
7.9
869
119
24.0
13.2
tralia Council. Regional and com-
munity theatres are also supported
Sydney
6.7
1219
139
22.1
12.0
by the board and state govern-
* A rain day is a day on which rainfall is 0.2 mm or more
ments.
73
Films
The National Film and Sound
During the past 20 years, there has
Archive's role is the preservation
been a resurgence in Australian
of Australian film history. Many of
film and television production.
the nation's films are held there
Federal Government support for
alongside material produced by
the industry is intended to both
Australia's television, sound re-
nurture and develop Australian
cording and radio industries.
culture and artistic expression.
Specialist agencies look after the
In 1990 the Government en-
training, development, national
tered into film co-production trea-
interest, commercial viability and
ties with the UK and Canada and is
preservation of the industry.
negotiating similar treaties with
The Australian Film, Televi-
other countries.
sion and Radio School provides
Literature
high level training to full-time stu-
dents and a flexible ongoing pro-
The first known writers living in
Australia were the officers of the
gram of short courses designed to
assist professionals maintain and
First Fleet, whose diaries and jour-
upgrade their skills.
nals expressed their lively concern
The Australian Film Commis-
for the country to which they had
been sent.
sion assists in the development of
Since the end of World War II
low budget, innovative film pro-
ductions; researches and gives
the writers, particularly the young
policy advice to the industry; pro-
poets, have been concerned with
vides international marketing
social problems and universal
support and supports film appre-
themes, and a lively school of
ciation and documentation activi-
contemporary experimental stylists
ties.
has emerged. The 1980s saw a
Aborigines, came from Asia be-
European contact
The Australian Film Finance
marked resurgence in fiction and
tween 40 000 and 70 000 years ago.
European discovery of Australia
Corporation is the mainvehicle for
short story publication from a new
They developed complex nomadic
confirmed theories proclaimed as
funding commercial film-making,
generation of Australian writerss
hunter-gatherer cultures with rich
early as the second century of a
in particular, quality dramas and
oral traditions, ceremonies and
southern unknown land', and was
documentaries.
National Library
highly abstract art forms. Aborigi-
a by-product of 16th-17th century
Film Australia is the national
The National Library of Australia
nal tradition teaches that they have
mercantile expansion in Asia by
film and video production house
lived in Australia since "before time
is one of the leading national li-
Portugal, Spain and Holland. In
and provides valuable infrastruc-
began".
braries in the English-speaking
1606, Spanish navigator Luis Vaez
ture support to the industry.
world.
Aboriginal art in the Australian
Teenagers at Jabiru, Northern Territory.
National Gallery - part of
9
Australia's cultural heritage.
de Torres sailed through the strait
South Wales, sailed from England,
which now bears his name and
arriving with 1530 people, 736 of
which separates Australia and
them convicts. The ships reached
Papua New Guinea. A Dutch ship,
Botany Bay on 18 January 1788.
Duyfken, made the first authenti-
Eight days later, because of the poor
cated landing in Australia in the
soils and openness of Botany Bay,
same year at Cape York.
the fleet left to establish its settle-
The arts
Dutch sea captain Dirck Hartog
ment at Port Jackson, a few kilome-
recorded the first known landing
tres north. The small convict
The Australian Government's
on Australia's west coast in 1616.
settlement grew to be Sydney,
funding agency for the arts is the
Dutch navigator Abel Tasman
Australia's biggest city.
Australia Council, a statutory au-
found Tasmania, which he named
thority whose budget for 1990-91 is
Van Diemen's Land, in 1642. Two
Exploration
$57.9 million. More funds are
years later he roughly charted the
For many years the rugged Blue
provided for the arts by State gov-
north coast from Cape York to the
Mountains blocked western ex-
ernments. The Australia Council
Ashburton River in Western Aus-
pansion of the Sydney settlement.
incorporates boards and commit-
tralia.
But in 1813 the discovery of a pas-
tees that deal with different art
In 1770, Captain James Cook,
sage over the mountains opened
forms: Aboriginal arts, the visual
of the British Royal Navy, sighted
the way for inland exploration.
arts and crafts, the performing arts,
the east coast while returning home
A settlement had been estab-
and literature. It also assists com-
from a scientific expedition to Ta-
lished at Hobart, Tasmania, in 1803.
munity arts through its Commu-
hiti. On 20 April, he sighted land
Other settlements were established
nity Cultural Development Unit.
near Cape Everard in the south-
on the Brisbane River, Queensland,
Film and television are the re-
east corner of Australia.
in 1824; on the Swan River, West-
sponsibility of the Australian Film
He turned north, charting the
ern Australia, in 1829; on Port
Commission.
coastline as he went and, nine days
Phillip Bay, Victoria, in 1835; and
later, landed at Botany Bay, which
on Gulf St Vincent, South Australia,
Visual arts and crafts
he named for the variety of botani-
in 1836. These settlements, which
The Australian National Gal-
cal specimens found there. He
today are the capital cities of five
lery in Canberra, opened in Octo-
continued north, charting most of
states, became jumping-off places
ber 1982, ranks as one of the richest
the east coast to Cape York.
for further exploration.
art buyers in the world. There are
major galleries in all States.
British settlement
Aboriginal art, both traditional
On 13 May 1787, a fleet of 11 ships
and modern, is enjoying unprec-
under the command of Captain
edented attention both in Australia
Arthur Phillip, who was to be the
and abroad.
first governor of the colony of New
Young Australians attend
a concert at the beach.
71
Fauna protection
in accordance with the London
Primary responsibility for native
Dumping Convention, and the ex-
fauna in Australia rests with the
port and import of hazardous
state and territory governments.
wastes. With State authorities, it
The Federal Government is re-
develops national guidelines for
sponsible for native fauna in fed-
permitted levels of air pollutants.
People
eral territories, for control of
international import and export,
Ozone protection
Australia's population in January
and for international treaties and
The Ozone Protection Act imple-
1991 was estimated at 17.03 mil-
conventions pertaining to nature
ments the provisions of the Mon-
lion, more than double the 1945
conservation.
treal Protocol on Ozone and sets in
population.
place additional bans on products
In the post-World War II pe-
Biological resources
which use ozone depleting sub-
riod, population growth has aver-
The Bureau of Flora and Fauna is
stances.
aged about two per cent a year,
coordinating the Australian Bio-
There is a national strategy to
with net migration contributing
logical Resources Study, collecting,
phase out ozone depleting sub-
about 40 per cent of this and natural
identifying and recording Aus-
stances as rapidly as practicable.
increase the rest. There have been
tralia's animals and plants.
significant variations from year to
Waste minimisation
year. In particular, the rates of
National Estate
The Federal Government is devel-
natural increase and net migration
The Australian Heritage Commis-
oping a National Waste Minimisa-
declined sharply in the early 1970s.
sion compiles a Register of the
tion and Recycling Strategy. It will
Australia's lifestyle reflects the
National Estate.
encompass all wastes and all serv-
people's predominantly Western
Under the National Estate
ices/activities which produce
origins. There are, for example,
Grants program, more than $50
waste and provide a structure for
more similarities than differences
million in Federal Government
industry, community and govern-
in lifestyles in Australia, Western
grants has been paid since 1973 for
ment cooperation in promoting
Europe and North America.
more than 3700 projects to state
waste minimisation and recycling.
Most of the labour force (84 per
and territory governments.
The strategy will be one of the key
cent) are wage and salary earners.
roles of the recently announced
Hours worked in an ordinary week
Pollution
Environment Protection Agency.
(generally five days) range from 35
State governments are primarily
to 40. Employees receive paid an-
responsible for pollution control.
nual leave (usually for four weeks),
The Federal Government has na-
sick leave and long-service leave.
tional and international responsi-
They also receive about 10 paid
bilities.
public holidays a year, marking
The Federal Government
events such as Christmas Day, New
regulates dumping of wastes at sea
70
Estimated resident population
of major cities in thousands
(September 1990)
Darwin 72.9
Conservation
Amendments to the legislation
A number of national programs
passed in June 1987 allow the min-
have been established to provide
ister to direct the preparation of a
for the protection and conserva-
Public Environment Report (PER)
NT
tion of Australia's environment.
on environmentally sensitive pro-
Issues addressed in these programs
posals which might not warrant
Qld
WA
have included rainforest conserva-
the preparation of an EIS. PERs are
tion, arresting and reversing tree
also made available for public re-
decline, soil conservation, land-
view and public comment is taken
SA
Brisbane 1273.5
into account before decisions are
Gold Coast 254.9
care incentives generally and
made.
biodiversity. Two of these pro-
NSW
Perth 1161.2
grams, focusing on nature conser-
Newcastle 425.6
vation outside reserves are "Save
Parks and wildlife
Sydney 3633.6
Adelaide
Wollongong 236.7
the Bush" and "Endangered Species".
The first laws to protect scenic ar-
1037.7
Vic Canberra 303.2ACT (includes
eas in Australia were passed in the
Melbourne 3043.5
Queanbeyan
Environment
State of Tasmania in 1863.
Geelong 149.0
NSW)
Tas
The Environment Protection (Im-
In 1879, the Royal National
Park of 7284ha was established
Hobart 181.2
pact of Proposals) Act 1974 pro-
vides for environmental factors to
south of Sydney, capital of New
Estimated resident population of
states and territories in thousands
be taken into account in the Federal
South Wales. This was Australia's
(September 1990)
Government's decision making.
first national park, and the world's
New South Wales
5844.9
Victoria
4394.0
The Act applies to proposed gov-
second.
Queensland
2921.7
ernment decisions or actions which
In 1988, about 40.8 million
Western Australia
1642.7
South Australia
1443.4
may have a significant effect on the
hectares, or 5.3 per cent of Austral-
Tasmania
457.5
environment.
ia's total land area, was reserved
Australian Capital Territory
286.8
Northern Territory
157.8
Where a proposal raises issues
for national parks and other types
Australia
17148.8
of particular environmental con-
of conservation reserves. A further
cern, the Minister for the Arts, Sport,
38.4 million hectares has been pro-
Year's Day, Australia Day and
six and a half years less than the
the Environment, Tourism and
claimed as marine reserves repre-
Easter. Retirement age is usually
average woman. Average mar-
Territories can direct that an envi-
senting less than 1 per cent of
60 or 65.
ried couples have 2.1 children and
ronmental impact statement (EIS)
Australia's total marine area. Aus-
In Australia, few legal obsta-
are likely to have bought or be in
be prepared. Impact statements
tralia now has more than 2700 ar-
cles have stood in the way of full
the process of buying their own
for public review, and any public
eas set aside for nature conservation
equality for women.
home in one of Australia's major
comments ,must be taken into ac-
or similar areas. They range in size
urban centres-around two-thirds
count before the statement is final-
from small parks of less than one
'Average' Australians
of all Australians live in the cities
ised and the proposals considered
hectare to Kakadu National Park at
The statistically 'average' Austral-
and 70 per cent either own or are
by the Government.
nearly 22 000 km².
ian male has a life expectancy of 73,
buying their house.
12
Environmental laboratory
staff test a watercourse in
69
a mining area.
Their home will almost cer-
tablished Aboriginal and Torres
tainly contain a refrigerator (found
Strait Islander Commission
in 99.5 per cent of Australian
(ATSIC), has in place a range of
homes), a colour television set (93.3
programs to assist Australia's in-
per cent), a washing machine (90
digenous people. Special assist-
per cent) and a telephone (85 per
ance is provided in the areas of
Environment
cent). They might not have a freezer
health, education, employment and
(43 per cent) or a dishwasher (20
housing. These programs are de-
Australians are increasingly in-
per cent). They are likely to have at
signed to improve the well-being
volved in conservation and other
least one car - 80 per cent of Aus-
of indigenous people and to help
environmental issues. It is esti-
tralian households have one car,
them preserve and develop their
mated that more than 500 000 peo-
29.1 per cent have two cars and 7.2
cultures.
ple are members of conservation
per cent have three. The average
The administration of indig-
groups in Australia. Since 1950,
male is likely to be employed in
enous affairs stands apart from the
the number of conservation socie-
manufacturing, wholesale or retail
administration of other national
ties has increased from fewer than
trade, or service industries. There
government responsibilities.
50 to more than 800.
is also a good chance his wife will
With the establishment of
be working. Women comprise
ATSIC, the Government is at-
Policy
around 41 per cent of Australia's
tempting to give Aboriginal and
All spheres of government share
total workforce and married
Torres Strait islander people the
responsibility for the environment.
women account for about 56 per
power to make their own decisions
The Federal Government's role is
cent of the female labour force.
in respect of the programs that af-
exercised mainly by the Depart-
fect them. This is in line with the
ment of the Arts, Sport, the Envi-
Aborigines
Government's stated policy of self-
ronment, Tourism and Territories
According to the 1986 census, the
determination for Australia's in-
and by a number of statutory au-
number of Aborigines and Torres
digenous people.
thorities including the Australian
Strait islanders living in Australia
Heritage Commission, the Aus-
was 227 645, representing 1.46 per
Immigration
tralian National Parks and Wild-
cent of the total population.
Immigration has been essential to
life Service and the Great Barrier
About 66 per cent of the indig-
Australia's development. It began
Reef Marine Park Authority. Two
enous people live in cities or towns.
with the transportation of convicts
major government bodies have also
Many Aboriginal people live in
from England in 1788. Settlement
been established specifically to
traditional settings in remote areas.
schemes during the next 150 years
collaborate on environmental mat-
However, none now live entirely
helped increase Australia's popu-
ters. They are the Australian and
in the manner of their ancestors.
lation to about 7.4 million by the
New Zealand Environment Coun-
The Australian Government,
end of World War II. More than
cil and the Council of Nature Con-
mainly through the recently es-
four million migrants have settled
servation Ministers.
68
13
needy. While home purchase in
construction was $16.2 billion in
in Australia since, helping to more
22 November 1984, and by grant.
Australia is predominantly fi-
1989-90. Residential construction
than double its post-war popula-
In the year to 30 June 1990, 130 312
nanced by the private sector, more
accounted for $19.7 billion. These
tion.
people were granted Australian
home loan innovations have been
figures are for private sector in-
Australia has a non-discrimi-
citizenship.
developed by State and Territory
vestment.
natory migration policy. It allows
housing authorities which are as-
The construction industry em-
entry for permanent residence of
Religion
sisting an increasing number of
ployed about 575 000 people in
people with close family ties in
At the 1986 census, 73 per cent of
lower-income first-home buyers
August 1990. A similar number is
Australia, people with capital and
Australians said they were Chris-
into home ownership.
employed in supplying the indus-
business expertise, people with
tians, 12.7 per cent said they were
The most recent housing
try with materials, machinery and
skills, qualifications or other quali-
non-religious and 12.3 per cent
agreement between the Federal
professional services, with about
ties needed in Australia, and oth-
made no statement. Majorchurches
Government, States and Northern
100 000 private-sector construc-
ers accepted under refugee or
were Catholic (26 per cent of Aus-
Territory came into effect in 1989
tion establishments operating in
special humanitarian programs.
tralians), Anglican (23.9), Uniting
and provided for a base level of
Australia.
An estimated 121 000 settlers ar-
(7.6), Presbyterian (3.6), Orthodox
funding of $1028 million in each of
Construction activity is wide-
rived in 1989-90.
(2.7), Baptist (1.3), Lutheran (1.3)
the years 1989-90 to 1992-93, with
spread geographically, but most
and Church of Christ (0.6). Many
any additional funds allocated each
concentrated in the capital cities.
Refugees
other faiths are also followed in
year as part of the normal budget
The residential construction in-
Australia is a leader in refugee re-
Australia, including Judaism, Is-
process. In 1989-90 and 1990-91,
dustry uses the subcontract system
settlement both in total numbers
lam and Buddhism.
$1053 million and $1035 million,
and features a large number of in-
and as a proportion of population.
respectively, were actually made
Australia accepts refugees as part
Settler arrivals
dependent operators. In contrast,
available.
the non-residential construction
of a humanitarian commitment to
(in thousands)
In addition to general housing
industry is characterised by fewer,
assist people fleeing persecution.
1980-81
111
assistance, the agreement provides
larger firms.
By the end of 1989, more than 485
for specific help for Aboriginal and
000 refugees and displaced people
81-82
118
pensioner housing, crisis accom-
had settled in Australia since World
82-83
93
modation, mortgage and rent as-
War II. In 1989-90, 11 948 were
resettled under Australia's hu-
83-84
69
sistance and the local government
and community housing program.
manitarian program. The largest
84-85
78
group was from Asia (6807).
Construction industry
85-86
93
More than half (56.8 per cent) of the
Citizenship
86-87
114
economy's investment expendi-
Australian citizenship may be ac-
ture, which underpins economic
quired in four ways: by birth in
87-88
143
growth, is on construction.
Australia, by being born outside
88-89
145
Gross fixed capital expenditure
Australia of an Australian parent,
(current prices) on non-residential
by adoption in Australia on or after
89-90
121
Fireworks light up Parliament
The detached house remains
House during the Canberra
the most popular dwelling.
67
festival.
Government
Australia's political institutions and
Housing
practices follow the Western
The outstanding feature of hous-
democratic tradition, reflecting
ing in Australia is the high level of
British and North American expe-
home ownership. About 70 per
rience.
cent of Australian householders
Broadly, the Australian fed-
own their own homes.
eration has a three-tier system of
The most popular dwelling
government: the Australian Par-
unit remains the detached brick
liament (the legislature) and Gov-
house with tiled roof, although
ernment, responsible for all matters
there has been a steady move to-
of national interest; six state gov-
wards higher-density housing, in-
ernments and their legislatures,
cluding cluster-type developments
complementing the activities of the
such as townhouses, home units
national government (plus the
and high-rise apartments. In 1989-
Northern Territory and Australian
90, 137-710 new residential build-
Capital Territory, which are simi-
ing units were begun (100690 being
lar to the states and are largely self-
houses).
governing); and about 900 local
Most dwellings are bought
government bodies at the city,
with money lent by private lending
town, municipal and shire level.
institutions such as savings and
The powers of the Australian
Parliament are defined in a written
trading banks, permanent build-
Constitution which came into force
ing societies and finance compa-
nies. Savings banks account for
on 1 January 1901, when the colo-
nies federated to form the Com-
around 70 per cent of all housing
loans.
monwealth of Australia. The
Constitution can be changed only
Federal funding
by referendum and then only if a
The Federal Government gives
majority of voters in at least four of
money to the State and Territory
the six states, as well as an overall
governments to provide rental and
majority, favour it. Of42 proposals
home ownership help for the
66
15
submitted to referendums since
of them retiring every three years.
federation, only eight have been
Senators elected to represent
lished Public Health Research and
Services for people
approved.
the territories serve a maximum of
Development Committee.
with disabilities
Queen Elizabeth II is formally
three years and their terms coincide
Vocational and social rehabili-
Queen of Australia and is repre-
with those of members of the House
Flying doctor
tation services are provided
sented by a Governor-General and
of Representatives.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service of
six state Governors.
through the Commonwealth Re-
After the general election on 24
Australia provides medical care for
habilitation Services (CRS). More
March 1990, the Australian Labor
people living in isolated regions.
Australian Parliament
than 90 rehabilitation units operate
Party, under Prime Minister, Mr
Doctors travel by aircraft from
The party or coalition of parties
Bob Hawke, was returned to power
central bases and keep in touch
around Australia, many in country
with a majority in the House of
for a historic third term. In the
areas.
with their patients by radio.
Representatives becomes the gov-
Hearing services are provided
House of Representatives the ALP
ernment and provides the minis-
through the National Acoustic
won 78 seats, the Liberal Party 55,
Services for the aged
try, including the Prime Minister.
Laboratories (NAL). Specialist
the National Party 14, with one
Australia places a high priority on
All members of the ministry are
services are provided by technical
Independent, while after the half-
programs for elderly people.
Members of Parliament. The Con-
experts in NAL Hearing Centres
Senate election on the same date,
Through the Home and Com-
stitution requires membership of
munity Care (HACC) program the
throughout Australia.
the ALP held 32 seats, the Liberals
the House of Representatives to be
29, Nationals four, Democrats 8,
Federal Government funds a range
Child Care
as nearly as practicable twice that
NT Country Liberal Party one,
of home and community support
of the Senate. The 148 House of
services, such as home help, food
The Government helps families
Western Australian Greens one
with dependent children, includ-
Representatives seats are divided
and Independent one.
services, community respite care,
ing those with special needs, by
among the States on a population
and transport services, to help frail
basis: 51 from New South Wales,
providing quality, affordable child
State parliaments
older people and younger people
38 from Victoria, 24 from Queens-
care. The child care program is
All parliaments, except those of
with disabilities remain living in
aimed at removal of barriers that
land, 13 from South Australia, 14
Queensland, the Northern Terri-
their own homes. The Govern-
from Western Australia, five from
might prevent women taking paid
tory and the ACT, have two cham-
ment also provides a Domiciliary
Tasmania, two from the Austral-
bers. Queensland abolished its
Nursing Care Benefit to people who
employment.
This approach involves gov-
ian Capital Territory, and one from
Upper House in 1922.
care for chronically ill relatives at
ernment and private child-care
the Northern Territory. Elections
The Lower Housei is known in New
home.
The Residential Care program
services, employers and non-profit
for the House of Representatives
South Wales, Victoria, Queensland
organisations working together to
are held at least every three years.
and Western Australia as the Leg-
funds a range of organisations
The Senate has 12 senators
which provide care in nursing
increase the supply of quality, af-
islative Assembly; in South Aus-
from each State and two each from
tralia and Tasmania it is called the
fordable child care.
homes and hostels. The program
the Australian Capital Territory
House of Assembly. Each of the
provides 100 nursing home and
and the Northern Territory.
five Upper Houses is known as the
hostel places for ever 1000 persons
Normally, senators from the
Legislative Council. The States
aged 70 years and over.
States serve a six-year term, half
administer areas such as educa-
Artificial heart valves are tested in the laboratory.
65
mum outlay of $300 an individual
population. Dental care for certain
or family in a year.
disadvantaged people is provided
by dental hospitals.
Medicine
In 1990, Australia had about 38 000
Public health
doctors in active practice. About
Public health services are under-
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
50 per cent work as general prac-
taken at Federal, State and Local
titioners (primary care), 30 per cent
government levels. Constitution-
as specialists and 20 per cent are in
ally, State and Local governments
salaried employment.
have responsibility for providing
Ten Australian universities
public health services, but the Fed-
have medical schools which pro-
eral Government has become more
vide five- or six-year undergradu-
involved in developing and coor-
ate courses.
dinating national policies, model
legislation, guidelines and stand-
Nursing
ards.
About 190 000 professionally reg-
The Federal Government
istered nurses provide care in hos-
provides funding and professional
pitals, nursing homes, home-
expertise in family planning, health
nursing agencies, occupational
promotion and illness prevention,
health nursing services, school
drug-abuse reduction, Aboriginal
health services and community
health, women's health and disease
health activities.
control - in particular, sexually
Authorisation to practise is
transmissible diseases including
controlled by registration authori-
AIDS.
ties in each State and Territory.
About 80 per cent of nurses work
Research
tion, transport, law enforcement,
sanitary services; supervision of
in hospitals or nursing homes.
The Federal Government supports
health services and agriculture.
building; administration of weights
research by annual appropriation
and measures and other regula-
Dentistry
to the Medical Research Endow-
Local Government
tions; and the development and
Australia has about 5 700 dentists,
ment Fund.
The powers and responsibilities of
maintenance of parks, recreation
mostly in private practice. Five
In 1989-90, more than $80 mil-
local government vary from State
grounds, swimming pools, public
Australian universities have den-
lion was allocated for grants to be
to State. In general, they include
libraries and community centres.
tal schools providing a five-year
awarded on National Health and
town planning; construction and
undergraduate course.
Medical Research Council advice.
maintenance of roads, streets and
The Executive
Fluoridation of water is widely
In addition, $2.6 million was
bridges; water, sewerage and
The Cabinet is the major policy-
used to prevent dental decay and
allocated for public health research,
drainage systems; public health and
making agency of government. It
covers about 67 per cent of the
administered by the newly estab-
Local government provides basic services and is
one of the three tiers of public administration.
17
is presided over by the Prime Min-
political groups and parties are the
ister and comprises about half the
Nuclear Disarmament Party, the
full ministry. The Cabinet meets
Greens and the Call to Australia
informally and in private, usually
Party.
in Canberra. Legal effect is given to
Cabinet decisions by the Executive
The Judiciary
Council, a purely formal body pre-
The Constitution provides that the
sided over by the Governor-Gen-
judicial power of the Federal Gov-
eral and usually attended by two
ernment be vested in the High
or three ministers although all
Court of Australia and other courts
ministers are members.
created by the Australian Parlia-
ment.
Elections
The Parliament has created the
Voting by secret ballot is compul-
Federal Court of Australia and the
sory for all Australians aged 18 and
Family Court of Australia to deal
provided while a person is a hospi-
Hospitals
over in federal and state elections.
tal patient or at a day-hospital facil-
with some specialised areas of fed-
In 1990, Australia had 1072 hospi-
Eligible people who fail to vote
eral law. In addition, the State
ity, when Medicare benefit is a flat
tals (excluding mental hospitals,
without good reason are liable to a
75 per cent).
courts are vested with federal ju-
nursing homes and Repatriation -
fine. Voting is not always com-
Private health insurance is
risdiction in some areas. All States,
veterans' - hospitals), of which 65
pulsory at local government elec-
available for private patients in
the Australian Capital Territory
per cent were public hospitals.
tions.
hospitals or for costs of a range of
and the Northern Territory have
Australia has an average five hos-
ancillary services, such as dental
Political parties
their own court systems.
pital beds a thousand population.
services or physiotherapy.
Four main political parties are rep-
Law enforcement
Short-stay visitors to Australia
Pharmaceuticals
resented in the Australian Parlia-
Responsibility for law enforcement
must pay for all medical and hos-
Through the Pharmaceutical Ben-
ment: the Australian Labor Party,
in Australia is shared between
pital treatment. Private insurance
efits Scheme, the Government sub-
the Liberal Party, the National Party
federal, state and the Northern
organisations will cover them.
sidises the cost of a comprehensive
of Australia and the Australian
Territory police forces. Each police
Australia has reciprocal medi-
range of drugs to ensure Austral-
Democrats. All have similar or-
force independently maintains the
cal arrangements with New Zea-
ians have access to effective and
ganisations; they are federal in
laws of its own state or territory.
land, the United Kingdom, The
necessary prescribed medication.
character with State divisions or
However, many formal and infor-
Netherlands, Italy, Malta and Swe-
In 1986, a program known as
branches and a federal executive
mal cooperative arrangements ex-
den. These enable short-ter visi-
the Safety Net was introduced to
and conference. All support the
ist between the various police forces
tors to and from Australia to have
provide protection for families and
maintenance of parliamentary de-
and governments. The Australian
access to the host country's public
the chronically ill, by setting an
mocracy and liberty of the indi-
Federal Police and the National
health system for immediately
upper limit on expenditure for pre-
vidual (including freedom of
Crime Authority are the Federal
necessary medical and hospital
scription drugs. On 1 January
speech, religion and association)
Government's primary law-en-
treatment.
1991, this limit was set to a maxi-
and the rule of law. Among smaller
forcement bodies.
-
-
I
11
gives more than $1000
Immunisation is a vital part
in overseas aid annually.
of child health care programs
ternational
Health
ations
Australia's public health service
are two-tiered: private med
international interests
practitioners provide primary 6
divided into three broad
and a public (State-controlled)
private hospital system prov
political and strategic inter-
comprehensive services. A n
defence of Australian sover-
diversified program of care, 1
and political independence;
community health services -
nomic cooperation and trade
cluding health-centre and h
and
care services - is developing.
vities involved in being a good
A universal health insur
ational citizen.
scheme, Medicare, provides /
ustralia's diverse relation-
tralian residents with protec
with Britain, the United States
against hospital costs (exclu
Western Europe, forged by
private patients), medical
remain important factors
optometrical care. The sche
stralian policy.
introduced in February 198
lelations with China, Japan,
partly funded by a 1.25 per
of the Association of
levy on taxable incomes, with
Asian Nations,
income cut-off points.
AN), New Zealand, Papua
Under the scheme, there i
Guinea and other South Pa-
charge for public hospital acc
States are of particular signifi-
modation or treatment by hos
to Australia. Similarly, in the
doctors. Private patients in pu
Ocean, Australia has im-
hospitals are charged for t
political, strategic and eco-
services.
interests and observes and
Medicare also provides
carefully the issues of
funds of at least 85 per cer
government-approved
ustralia has been a consistent
charged by doctors and by op
orter of the United Nations
etrists (except where the servi
62
19
ment awards scholarships to
Aborigines
Charter and the work of the UN's
broad range of its activities.
teachers and research students to
The Federal Government made a
specialised agencies. It participates
Australia has developed strong
study in Asian countries, is part of
five-year commitment to the Abo-
actively in many UN activities and
relations with ASEAN an organi-
a strategy to help Australia be-
riginal Employment Development
has served on many of its bodies,
sation that has made an important
come Asia-literate.
Policy (AEDP) in 1987. The policy
including the Security Council.
contribution to economic growth
Teacher education
aims to increase employment op-
It has served for a number of
and political stability in the Asia-
portunities for Aborigines and
terms on the Commission on Hu-
Pacific region. Australia has a
Pre-school and primary teachers
Torres Strait Islanders and assist
man Rights and resumed mem-
program of economic cooperation
usually complete a three or four
their economic development
bership in 1991 for a further
with ASEAN through which it
year diploma/degree course at a
through to the year 2000.
three-year period. It has provided
supports important regional
tertiary institution. Secondary
the end of 1989, all State and
money, personnel and equipment
projects. It also contributes sig-
school teachers generally complete
Territory governments jointly
for major UN peacekeeping ac-
nificantly toward easing the burden
a degree at a university or college
agreed to a national Aboriginal and
tivities, contributes its assessed
of Indo-Chinese refugees in mem-
of advanced education before do-
Torres Strait Islander Education
share of the costs of all UN opera-
ber countries.
ing a graduate diploma education
Policy (AEP). The Federal Govern-
tions and makes additional contri-
The relationship with Indone-
course.
ment has committed $266 million
butions. It is fully involved in UN
sia, Australia's largest neighbour,
International
to this initiative which aims to raise
social development, narcotics,
has developed greater depth and
Aboriginal participation and suc-
disarmament, arms control and
substance at both official and
participation
cess in education to the same level
outer space work. Australia accepts
commercial levels. Contacts have
Awards and exchanges under the
as the rest of the community.
the jurisdiction of the International
been enhanced through establish-
International Students sub-pro-
Court of Justice and is active in the
ment of the Australia-Indonesia
gram, provide opportunities for'
Vocational training
development of international law.
Institute in 1989 and by the signa-
students from overseas to study in
Federal Government funding
Australia has worked ener-
ture of the Timor Gap Treaty.
Australia and for Australians to
measures are designed to encour-
getically towards a global ban on
Australia has long involved it-
study overseas. Oversees students
age a cooperative national effort
chemical weapons and convened
self in regional organisations such
are also able to study in Australia
with industry in the improvement
the Government Industry Confer-
as the UN Economic and Social
by paying the full cost of their edu-
of vocational education and train-
ence against Chemical Weapons,
Commissions for Asia and the Pa-
cation to the institution. The
ing arrangements. The National
attended by 66 countries, in Can-
cific, the Colombo Plan and the
number of students admitted un-
Training Board is responsible for
berra in September 1989.
Asian Development Bank.
der the full fee program is not re-
setting national skill standards on
It has been a member of the
Japan is Australia's largest
stricted by quotas. In 1990, there
the basis of proposals brought
Organisation for Economic Coop-
trading partner and relations are
were 12134 full fee paying over-
forward by industry.
eration and Development (OECD)
based on complementary interests
seas students enrolled in higher
since 1971.
and shared perceptions of interna-
education institutions and a fur-
The Commonwealth of Na-
tional issues. Cultural, scientific,
ther 1015 enrolled in colleges of
tions brings together about a
sporting and other relations are
Technical and Further Education
quarter of the world's population
fostered by both to improve mu-
(TAFE).
and Australia takes part in the
tual understanding.
61
Primary and
tem through the amalgamation of
secondary education
institutions, leading to benefits such
as a greater range of subjects,
Schooling is compulsory in Australia
courses and categories of award,
until the age of 15 or 16 (varies be-
better credit transfer provisions and
tween states). Over 70 per cent of
improved teaching and research
children areeducated in government
facilities/services.
schools, where tuition at primary and
Australian higher education is
secondary levels is free. The majority
provided by 76 institutions. In 1990,
of Australian children (2 194 355 in
there were 299 511 full-time stu-
1989) attend government schools. In
dents, 132 852 part-time students
1989, 27.6 per cent of students (837
and 52 712 external students. Aus-
032) were enrolled at non-govern-
ment schools.
tralian higher education institu-
tions offer internationally regarded
Secondary schooling begins in
China is a significant market
Australia has been at the fore-
degrees and postgraduate awards.
year seven or year eight and con-
front of international efforts to re-
Colleges of technical and fur-
for Australia and the relationship
tinues to year 12. The most common
ther education provide training in
is underpinned by agreements and
solve the long-standing conflict in
type of secondary school is the co-
institutional arrangements (cul-
Cambodia. Australia's proposal
major industrial skills as well as
educational comprehensive or
certificates and diplomas based on
ture, science and technology, agri-
for a comprehensive settlement
multi-purpose high school, offer-
culture, civil aviation, education,
based on an enhanced UN role has
vocational training.
ing a wide range of subjects and
and the Australia-China Council).
been accepted in principle by all
activities.
Student assistance
A technical cooperation program,
parties.
Schools of the Air use two-way
In 1990, the Government assisted
designed to help China's develop-
In the Pacific region, Australia
radio to provide 'classroom' experi-
about 397 000 students at a cost of
ment, includes activities in educa-
promotes stability, welfare and
ence for children in the remote parts
about $993.7 million.
tion, energy, forestry, health and
economic developmentthrough a
of Australia even though they remain
Student assistance schemes
industrial technology.
range of practical development
physically in their own homes.
provide financial assistance to
Australia's relationship with
assistance programs.
The National Distance Educa-
students who are financially dis-
the Republic of Korea has devel-
Australia and Papua New
tion Centre, established in June
advantaged (AUSTUDY), Abo-
oped significantly in recent years.
Guinea have a special and close
1989, is examining the application
rigines and Torres Strait Islanders
Korea has emerged as a major
relationship. Since Papua New
of technologies such as interactive
(ABSTUDY), geographically iso-
economic power in its region and
Guinea achieved independence in
video, CD-ROM and CAL-CML,
lated or disabled students (Assist-
has become one of Australia's most
1975, the relationship has encom-
to the development and delivery of
ance for Isolated Children) and
important trading partners.
passed a broad range of govern-
external courses.
postgraduate awards.
Australia is building a broad
ment and non-government
range of contacts with Vietnam, in
activities.
Tertiary education
Current trends
particular trade and investment
Australia and New Zealand
There has been substantial restruc-
Under the National Asian Scholar-
links.
have entered a non-reciprocal
turing of the higher education sys-
ship Scheme, the Federal Govern-
Pre-school education is
an integral part of the
Ministers and top level officials confer at
the Australia-Japan conference in Canberra.
21
education system.
preferential trade agreement in
and Berlin. Central Europe remains
favour of South Pacific Forum
a key market for Australian exports.
States - the South Pacific Regional
The value Australia places on
Trade and Economic Cooperation
its long-standing relations with the
Agreement (SPARTECA).
Arab nations and Israel is high. It
Education
Under the Australia New
supports the efforts of parties to
Zealand Closer Economic Relations
the Middle East dispute to find a
Under the federal system of gov-
Trade Agreement, trans-Tasman
just, lasting and peaceful solution.
ernment in Australia, state, and
trade in goods and in most services
Australian trade with the region's
territory governments and non-
became free on 1 July 1990.
countries is significant.
government school authorities are
There has been a long, close
Australia maintains friendly
1500m
responsible for providing educa-
relationship with the United States.
relations with independent Afri-
tion services. The Federal Gov-
Government-to-government rela-
can States. It has formal relations
ernment provides supplementary
tions are only part of an interaction
with South Africa but has been
funds in the form of general re-
born of common experiences, cul-
prominent in opposing racist
current and capital grants.
ture and language. The ANZUS
apartheid policies and actively
The Federal Government plays
security treaty and major trade and
encouraged the process of transi-
a central role in facilitating coop-
investment flows give particular
tion to independence in Namibia.
eration of the national education
depth to the relationship.
Australian assistance to African
system largely through the Aus-
The goodwill between Aus-
countries includes project support,
tralian Education Council.
tralia and Canada allows coopera-
food aid and training. Australia
tion on a range of objectives without
Funding
always has moved quickly and ef-
affecting individual national inter-
fectively to bring relief aid to the
The Government spent $6565.5
ests or commercial competition.
victims of disasters in Africa.
million on education in 1989-90.
Relations with individual
Australia has friendly and
Estimated expenditure for 1990-91
Western European countries are
useful relations with a number of
is $7486.6 million.
based on shared cultural and his-
countries in Latin America and the
Pre-school and child care
torical links and reinforced by the
Caribbean, sharing many interests,
presence in Australia of large
Most Australian children begin
particularly in multilateral organi-
numbers of former citizens of those
sations.
school before the compulsory
countries and by significant eco-
school age and many attend pre-
Nuclear policies in Australia
nomic ties. The European Com-
school centres within the school
are based on strong support of the
munity (EC) is our biggest source
system. Pre-school centres gener-
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
of both imports and investment.
ally enrol four-year-old children
Policy on the sale of its uranium
Australia has augmented its
and provide sessions for two
includes a condition that it will not
representation in Central Europe
groups of children each day.
be used for military or explosive
by opening new missions in Prague
purposes and that buyers accept
59
22
International Atomic Energy
vere disability or retirement-or
Disabled
has been temporarily interrupted,
Agency safeguards.
Those on pension because of dis-
Australia participates in key in-
as in unemployment or sickness.
ability and those on temporary
ternational discussions on environ-
These payments are subject to an
sickness payment have access to
income and assets test. Certain
mental issues and is in the forefront
rehabilitation and training to see if
of nations implementing multilat-
residency requirements also have
they can return to work.
to be met. Pensioners and sickness
eral environmental initiatives.
An allowance is payable to
The Department of Foreign
beneficiaries may qualify for pen-
parents or guardians of a child
sioner concessions which entitle
Affairs and Trade conducts an
whose physical, intellectual or
overseas cultural exchange pro-
them to a range of concessional
psychiatric disability requires a
gram in cooperation with the Aus-
pharmaceuticals and some
high level of daily care and atten-
tralia Council and other cultural
optometrical and health services.
tion in the family home. A mobility
bodies. The Australia Abroad
Concessions on government trans-
allowance is paid to disabled peo-
Council was established in 1990 to
port and telephone rental are also
ple who are employed or engaged
give greater drive and direction to
available to pensioners.
in training and are unable to use
projecting Australia overseas.
Families
public transport because of their
All of Australia's overseas aid
People who have one or more
disabilities. A carer's pension is
(more than $1000 million a year in
children under 16 may receive a
available to people providing long-
recent years) is given in grant form.
family allowance. People who have
term care at home to a severely
The aid program focuses on those
certain dependent students aged
disabled pensioner or beneficiary.
areas in which Australia has par-
16 to 24 also may qualify for family
ticular expertise, including educa-
allowance. All family allowances
tion, agriculture and infrastructure
are subject to an income test. Fam-
development.
ily allowance supplement (FAS)
Australia contributes to the
provides a higher level of assistance
education in Australia of about 18
to low-income working families
000 students from developing
under a more stringent income test
countries, mostly at tertiary level.
which includes an assets test.
The Australian International De-
Higher rates of FAS are available
velopment Assistance Bureau
for older children. FAS payments
(AIDAB) pays about $80 million a
also may include an amount for
year to subsidise this program. A
rent assistance for families in the
new education policy based on
private rental market. Both family
merit and equity is providing more
allowance and family allowance
opportunities for students from
supplement normally are paid
poorer and isolated developing
fortnightly to the mother or female
countries.
guardian.
Social security provides
Soldiers rappelling down
allowances for families
a cliff during training.
23
with children.
gineering and development of
strategic and international policy.
About 60 per cent of the civilians
work directly for the ADF. This
means that the Defence organisa-
Social Security
Defence
tion is one of Australia's largest
employers offering hundreds of
Australia's involvement in social
The Australian Defence Force
different careers and many differ-
security began with the introduc-
(ADF) exists to implement Gov-
ent types of job training.
The Australian Defence Force
tion of old-age and invalid pen-
ernment defence policy.
Academy (ADFA) offers univer-
sions in 1910 and maternity
The ADF comprises the Royal
sity courses in disciplines such as
allowances in 1912. Social security
Australian Navy (RAN), the Army
engineering and arts. Other
payments of this kind, then consid-
and the Royal Australian Air force
ered radical, gained for Australia
(RAAF). The ADF is commanded
officer training takes place at
its reputation as a pioneer in public
by the Chief of the Defence Force
HMAS Creswell for Navy, the
Royal Military College of Aus-
welfare. The main components of
(CDF) who is supported by a tri-
tralia, Duntroon, for the Army
today's social security programs
service headquarters in Canberra.
and RAAF College Point Cook
are pensions for old people, the
CDF and the Secretary of the De-
for the Air Force.
severely disabled and sole parents;
partment of Defence have joint re-
Extensive technical and ap-
benefits for the unemployed who
sponsibility for administration of
are seeking work and those tem-
the Defence Force.
prenticeship training is also pro-
vided. Defence offers 600 to 800
porarily unable to work because of
The ADF is a total force made
vocational traineeships in over 25
ill health; and allowances for
up of almost 70000 permanent per-
skill categories each year.
families with children. Estimated
sonnel and more than 28 000 re-
expenditure on social security and
serve personnel. Of the permanent
Defence self-reliance
welfare programs for 1990-91 is
personnel, about 46 per cent are in
Our defence policy is based on self-
nearly $7487 million. Charitable
the Army, 22 per cent are in the
reliance. This means that we give
organisations historically have
Navy and 32 per cent in the Air
priority to the ability to defend
supplemented the public social
Force. Females make up almost 11
ourselves independently with our
services, often as innovators and
per cent of the permanent force
own resources, within the frame-
pioneers in new areas of welfare.
and almost 16 per cent of the re-
work of our alliance and regional
serve force. Service personnel are
associations.
Pensions, benefits
supported by some 25000 civilians
The strength of defence self-
The Federal Government provides
in the Department of Defence who
reliance depends on making the
cash benefits to people whose
perform a range of tasks including
most of this nation's financial, in-
source of income has either
personnel and financial adminis-
dustrial, technological and human
ceased-for example, through se-
tration, equipment acquisition, en-
resources.
24
57
The Australian Government's
possesses a wide range of capabili-
8600 aircraft of all types and about
postal articles each working day.
1989-90 Budget allocated $8670
ties that are needed at each level of
47 000 pilots licensed to fly them.
Telecom Australia employs
million to defence, representing 9.5
defence in depth.
Thirty-three international air-
more than 89 000 full-time staff. It
per cent of total Budget outlay and
The fleet currently includes:
lines, including Qantas, operated
operates 5156 telephone exchanges
2.3 per cent of gross domestic
three guided-missile destroyers
regular services to Australia in 1989.
serving seven million telephone
product.
(DDGs), four guided-missile frig-
Scheduled domestic airlines
services with more than eight mil-
ates (FFGs) five destroyer escorts
carry about 14 million passengers
lion telephones.
Defence strategy
(DEs), six Oberon-class subma-
a year. Regular airline services
More than 99 per cent of Aus-
The development of the ADF to-
rines, 15 Fremantle-class patrol
have been operating since 1921
tralia's telephones are connected
wards the next century in line with
boats and more than 20 other ves-
when West Australian Airways
to automatic exchanges.
defence self-reliance is based on
sels, including minehunters, takers,
began operations over a 1923km
The Overseas Telecommuni-
the strategy of defence in depth
oceanographic craft, utility ships
route linking Geraldton and Derby.
cations Commission is responsible
which can be thought of as having
and tugs.
Today domestic airlines cover
for public telecommunications
three layers.
The RAN is acquiring eight
about 13 760 million passenger-
services between Australia and
The first is intelligence and
new Australian-built ANZAC
kilometres a year, linking the capi-
other countries, its external terri-
surveillance so that we can moni-
frigates to replace the destroyer
tal cities and other main centres of
tories and ships at sea.
tor our region closely and watch
escorts. In addition, six new sub-
population.
The commission has a staff of
the ocean and airspace to our north
marines, known as the Kockums
Communications
nearly 2000. Telephone services,
for an enemy approach.
Type 471, are being constructed
which are available to more than
The main communication systems
The second layer is strike and
in South Australia, to replace the
230 overseas destinations, and telex
Oberon submarines from the mid
-postal, telegraph and telephone-
interdiction - the interception of
were established and have since
services provide about 73 per cent
hostile forces detected in our sea
1990s. They will be the most ad-
of revenue. International sub-
been maintained in Australia by
and air approaches.
vanced onventional submarines
scriber dialling is available to more
in the world. Another two FFGs
governments.
The third is land and inshore
than 180 destinations.
Since July 1975, responsibility
defence, which requires a flexible,
are being built in Australia and
highly mobile army with air and
will come into service in the 1990s.
for post and telecommunications
Satellite system
has been vested in two statutory
naval support able to provide for
AUSSAT Proprietary Limited,
Other new equipment being
authorities - the Australian Postal
the immediate protection of Aus-
owned by the Federal Government,
built in Australia includes 16 new
Corporation (Australia Post) and
is the owner and operator of Aus-
tralian interests against enemy in-
Seahawk multi-role helicopters
the Australian Telecommunica-
cursion in our vast northern areas.
tralia's domestic satellite system.
which will be able to operate with
tions Corporation (Telecom Aus-
The success of defence self-re-
AUSSAT provides high-quality
the FFGs and the ANZAC frigates.
tralia). Australia Post operates
radio and- television services
liance depends on a high standard
The Fleet's main base is in
about 4500 post offices and 6000
and telecommunications links
of human skills and the right mix of
Sydney, but the new base at
vehicles. It serves about 5.7 million
to all areas of mainland Australia
technology.
HMAS Stirling near Perth will
residential and 560 000 business
and associated islands and tel-
allow the RAN to operate as a
addresses in Australia. It employs
ecommunications links to New
Royal Australian Navy
two-ocean navy - in the Indian
nearly 35 000 people full-time
Zealand.
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN)
Ocean as well as in the Pacific.
and handles about 14 million
56
25
Railways
During this period there were
This will mean more efficient
The RAAF's 20 P3C Orion air-
Australia's railways are owned and
substantial increases in population
operations in northern and west-
craft and the Jindalee Over-the-
operated mainly by government.
and vehicle numbers so that the
ern coastal waters and on exer-
Horizon-Radar (OTHR) form the
reduction in road deaths was a sig-
cises in South East Asia.
New South Wales, Victoria,
basis of a surveillance system which
Queensland and Western Australia
nificant achievement. Neverthe-
less, road crashes are still the largest
The Army
will cover our vast northern ap-
have their own railway systems.
proaches. Jindalee, now being de-
The metropolitan railways in
single cause of death for Austral-
Sufficient Black Hawk helicopters
veloped in Australia, can detect
ians aged under 45 years.
are being brought into service so
Adelaide are owned and operated
aircraft and ships at great distances,
the Army will have the ability to
by the South Australian Govern-
giving early warning of their ap-
Road Transport
transport a company group of 150
ment. The Federal Government
proach. The Orions can also detect,
Road transport carries some 75 per
troops over a radius of 160km in
railways are run by the Australian
identify and, if necessary, attack
cent of Australia's domestic freight.
one operation. The Army also is
National Railways Commission
submarines and surface ships, us-
The industry is highly competitive,
getting new equipment such as the
trading as Australian National.
ing torpedoes and Harpoon mis-
comprising small and large opera-
AUSTEYR rifle, 105mm Hamel
siles. An Orion aircraft can remain
Three railway gauges are used
tors using diverse vehicle types
field guns, bridging equipmentand
in Australia: 1067mm, 1435mm and
flying for over 12 hours and sweep
including road trains, freighters
disruptive-pattern camouflage
1600mm. Since December 1982,
uniforms to allow for more effec-
up to 647 000 square kilometres of
and smaller vehicles. There is no
ocean.
the mainland capital cities have
economic regulation of the freight
tive operations. Other equipment
The RAAF's F-111C and F/A-
been connected by a standard-
industry although it is subject to
used by the Army includes Leop-
18 Hornet are both strike aircraft,
gauge (1435mm) line, except for
safety regulations administered by
ard tanks and M113 armoured per-
and the Hornets also form an in-
Adelaide-Melbourne Privately-
State governments.
sonnel carriers.
terceptor fighter force against en-
owned railways operate in each
Reserve units recently have
State serving mining, agricultural
Energy in transport
emy aircraft. Both can fire the
been incorporated more effectively
and industrial areas. The largest pri-
Transport uses about 70 per cent of
Harpoon anti-shipping missile.
into the Army, and they now have
vate railway operations serve iron-
fuel sold in Australia.
The RAAF operates the Boeing 707,
new roles in northern surveillance
the C130 Hercules and the Caribou
ore mining in the north-west of
Since 1979, incentives have
and the protection of facilities in
been offered for the conversion of
as transport aircraft.
Western Australia. Queensland has
emergencies.
The RAAF VIP transport fleet
an extensive tramway network to
vehicles to liquefied petroleum gas
It is planned to base some
has been re-equipped with Falcon
serve mills in sugar-producing areas.
and many government and pri-
regular units permanently in the
vate fleet vehicles have been con-
900 aircraft. Four of the Boeing
north. The 2nd Cavalry Regiment
Road safety
verted.
707s are being modified so that
is scheduled to move to the North-
Wearing seatbelts, anti-drink driv-
they can refuel aircraft in mid-air,
ing laws, improved vehicle safety
Aviation
ern Territory in 1992.
which will extend greatly the range
and better roads all have consider-
Isolated communities and long
Royal Australian Air Force
of aircraft such as the F/A-18.
ably influenced road safety in Aus-
distances between cities have con-
The Royal Australian Air Force
The RAAF provides vital mo-
tralia. In 1988, 2888 people were
tributed to making Australia one
(RAAF) operates modern fighter,
bility for the Army in land opera-
killed in road crashes; some 24 per
of the most air-minded countries
bomber, surveillance, support,
tions. The Hercules is a versatile
cent fewer than in 1970.
in the world. There are just over
transport and trainer aircraft.
transport aircraft and can carry al-
Australian scientists have
26
developed photonics for high
55
technology communications.
most 20 tonnes of stores and equip-
tralian National Railways network.
ment. It can land on outback land-
As well, the Federal Government
ing strips and can fly over 6000 km
maintains an interest in all trans-
when fully loaded. The Caribou
port matters and financially assists
transports lighter loads over shorter
Transport and
State railway and road construc-
distances. Both conduct paratroop
operations.
communications
tion projects.
It provides about $1.3 billion
The RAAF operates from bases
annually to the States for the con-
near all mainland capital cities and
Australia's vast distances and rela-
struction and maintenance of na-
a chain of additional bases being
tively sparse inland population
tional, arterial and local roads.
built across northern Australia.
have always presented major chal-
lenges in the development of
Shipping
Defence and industry
efficien transport and communica-
Australia trades with about 200
The ADF relies heavily on Aus-
tions systems.
countries and territories and annu-
tralia industry for new equipment,
The most direct air route be-
ally exports almost 260 million
spares, repairs, overhaul and
tween Sydney on the east coast and
tonnes of freight by sea. Imports
modification. In turn, these activi-
Perth on the west coast is 3200km,
by sea total almost 24 million
ties contribute to the development
and the most direct route between
tonnes.
of high technology in Australian
Darwin in the north and the most
Australia is served mainly by
industry with benefits for exports.
southern capital city, Hobart, is
foreign-flag vessels in its overseas
Most major new equipment
even further at 3700km. Added to
trade. The Australian flag share of
projects, such as the new subma-
this problem is the fact that more
tonnage is about 4.2 per cent.
rines and ANZAC ships, have lo-
than 60 per cent of the population
The Australian National Line
cal content of 70 per cent or more.
live in and around the six State
operates a regular overseas ship-
Some, such as the Jindalee Over-
capitals.
ping service in five of Australia's
The-Horizon-Radar, also exploit
Transport
overseas trade routes to Europe,
the world-leading inventions of
Japan-Korea, and South-East Asia
Australian defence scientists.
Australia's transport system in-
and New Zealand.
cludes nearly 840 000km of roads,
240 000km of unduplicated air
Ports and harbours
routes and 40 000km of govern-
Australian ports are the responsi-
ment railways.
bility of State government authori-
The State governments deal
ties and departments or private
mainly with roads, ports, intrastate
operators. Australia has about 70
shipping and railways. The Fed-
ports of commercial significance.
eral Government deals with ship-
The main ports serve the State
ping and air transport between
capitals and industrial and mining
States and Territories and the Aus-
centres.
54
Housing construction is a key
element of economic activity.
27
Meteorology
The Bureau of Meteorology has an
Activity
important role in the World Mete-
The Australian economy recovered
orological Organisation's world
strongly from the recession of the
weather watch which has three
early 1980s but the external deficit
meteorological centres-in Mel-
The Economy
increased after the downturn in
bourne, Moscow and Washing-
international commodity prices in
Australia's economy has under-
ton-and regional centres
the mid-1980s.
gone considerable diversification
including one in Darwin.
In 1987-88 and 1988-89 there
and expansion during the past 30
was a marked increase in Austral-
Cooperation
years.
ia's terms of trade and private final
Formal bilateral agreements on
Before World War II, Australia
demand rose strongly. Real GDP
scientific and technical cooperation
depended largely on primary pro-
(adjusted for terms of trade) rose
exist between Australia and the US
duction, but the demands of the
6.2 per cent and 6.4 per cent re-
(1968), India, USSR (both 1975),
war and a strong post-war immi-
spectively. This strong growth,
Federal Republic of Germany
gration program spurred industrial
particularly in business fixed in-
(1976), China, Japan (both 1980)
and economic growth.
vestment, resulted in an increease
and Mexico (1981).
The manufacturing sector grew
in the current account deficit.
particularly rapidly after the war.
In 1989-90, as a consequence of
Astronomy
In the past 20 years the main ex-
a tight policy stance by the Gov-
One of the world's largest optical
pansion has been in the tertiary
ernment, the withdrawal of the
telescopes, the 3.9-metre Anglo-
sector. During this time, consid-
terms-of-trade stimulus and a
Australian Telescope, is operated
erable investment has also taken
downturn in the construction sec-
at Siding Springs Mountain, New
place in export-oriented mining
tor, growth in private final demand
South Wales, under an agreement
and energy projects.
slowed significantly. GDP growth
between the British and Australian
Although reliance on rural
(adjusted for the terms of trade)
Governments. The Australia Tel-
production has diminished over
slowed to 2.9 per cent with through-
escope, opened in 1988, consists of
the years, Australia is still an im-
the-year growth rates indicating a
a 64-metre-diameter steerable
portant producer and exporter of
more significant slowdown. The
parabolic reflector near Parkes,
farm products. It leads the world
current account deficit, while
NSW, six steerable and moveable
in wool production and is a sig-
higher in 1989-90 as a whole, began
22m antennas at Culgoora, NSW,
nificant supplier of wheat, barley,
to fall over the course of the year.
and a steerable antenna at Siding
coal, iron ore and sugar.
Springs. It is operated as a national
Rural industries account for
Inflation
facility by CSIRO Division of
about four per cent of production,
Inflation rose sharply in the early
Radiophysics.
mining contributes about seven per
1970s and eased only gradually
cent, manufacturing about 17 per
over the next decade. It rose again
cent and the tertiary sector the rest.
in the mid-1980s to eight to nine
28
53
per cent in the wake of the depre-
economy. Those sectors which
computer hardware and software.
search body. It plans and carries
As well as undertaking re-
out a program of scientific research
ciation of the Australian dollar as
faced the strongest demand in 1988-
search within its own agencies-
except in defence, nuclear energy
commodity prices fell. In 1989-90,
89 - construction, manufacturing
and wholesale and retail trade -
notably the Commonwealth
and clinical medicine. It delivers a
inflation rose to 8 per cent in re-
Scientific and Industrial Research
range of scientific services to the
sponse to rising mortgage interest
were also the sectors where pres-
Organisation (CSIRO), the Aus-
Australian Government, industry
and consumer credit charges. This
sures eased the most in 1989-90.
tralian Nuclear Science and Tech-
and the community. CSIRO's work
compares with the 7.3 per cent in-
The unemployment rate fell to
6.2 per cent in 1989-90 from 6.6 per
nology Organisation (ANSTO), the
is directed toward rural, manufac-
crease recorded in both 1987-88 and
Australian Institute of Marine Sci-
turing, communications and infor-
1988-89. Inflation rates in 1989-90
cent in 1988-89, although it rose
ence and the Defence Science and
mation industries; knowledge and
tended to slow in line with the
during the course of the year.
Technology Organisation-the
management of the natural envi-
slowing economy.
Profits and wages
Australian Government provides
ronment; minerals and energy in-
The Labour market
Over the past seven years the Prices
financial support for research in
dustries; and construction
and Incomes Accord between the
tertiary education institutions, re-
industries. CSIRO employs about
The labour market deteriorated in
Government and the Australian
search institutes and industry.
7000 people in more than 100 labo-
1982-83 but wage restraint contrib-
uted to a sharp improvement in
Council of Trade Unions (ACTU)
ratories and field stations.
Nuclear science
employment generation from 1983-
has played a crucial role in un-
winding the fundamental wages/
and technology
Space
84 to 1985-86. The strength of de-
profits imbalances prevalent
The Australian Nuclear Science
The Australian Space Office (ASO),
mand also worked to maintain the
and Technology Organisation was
in the Department of Industry,
growth in job opportunities in 1987-
88 and 1988-89 and into 1989-90.
Rate of inflation
established in April 1987 as the
Technology and Commerce, is the
successor to the Australian Atomic
national body responsible for space
In 1989-90, employment
growth slowed marginally in re-
1983-84
6.9
Energy Commission. ANSTO is
industry development and space
the major centre for research and
science.
sponse to a slowing economy, ris-
84-85
4.3
development in nuclear science and
ing 3.8 per cent compared with 4.1
Antarctic research
8.4
related technologies in Australia.
per cent in 1988-89. During the
85-86
Australia carries out specific sci-
year, however, labour-market
Commission for the Future
entific research programs in the
86-87
9.3
pressures eased substantially.
The Australian Government estab-
Australian Antarctic Territory.
Employment growth eased from a
87-88
7.3
lished a Commission for the Future
peak of 4.9 per cent over the year to
in 1985 to study and promote the
Science and technology
the September quarter 1989 to 2.5
88-89
7.3
social and economic effects of
awareness
per cent over the year to the June
89-90
8.0
technological change.
The Science and Technology
quarter 1990.
Awareness Program was estab-
Consistent with the sectoral
0
5
10
15%
CSIRO
lished in May 1989 to raise
pattern of output, the easing in la-
The Commonwealth Scientific and
awareness of the economic and
Figures for 1983-84 and 84-85 have
bour-market pressures during
been adjusted to take into account the
Industrial Research Organisation
social importance of science and
1989-90 was not uniform across the
effects of the introduction of Medicare
is Australia's main scientific re-
technology.
The Science and Technology
29
centre houses working displays
illustrating scientific principles.
throughout most of the 1970s and
In the September quarter of
early 1980s. The Accord thereby
1990, average weekly earnings for
contributed importantly to the very
fulltime adult employees were $577
strong growth in employment and
($477 for all employees).
the recent surge in investment. The
share of non-farm income ac-
Balance of payments
Science
counted for by profit is at histori-
The balance of payments tradition-
cally high levels.
ally has comprised a current ac-
and technology
Wages policy increasingly has
count deficit largely financed by a
taken on the role of a catalyst for
net inflow of private capital. This
Australian scientists and research-
productivity improvement and la-
reflects Australia's position as a
ers continue to make contributions
bour market reform: economy-
net capital importer drawing on
to the advancement of science and
wide wage increases linked to
foreign savings to allow faster de-
technology. They have been re-
inflation have given way to wage
velopment of domestic resources.
sponsible for many advances in
determination arrangements
In 1989-90, the current account
the manufacturing, mining and
which place greater emphasis on
deficit increased by $3.2 billion to
agricultural industries. Australia
negotiations at a more decentral-
$21.2 billion, or from 5.3 per cent to
has made significant contributions
ised level.
5.7 per cent of gross domestic
in medical science, particularly in
Under the latest Accord agree-
product. The merchandise trade
immunological and cancer re-
ment there were tax cuts and a $12
deficit fell from $3.9 billion in 1988-
search. Australian medical scien-
a week wage increase (for all work-
89 to $3.3 billion in 1989-90. The net
tists have found a cure for peptic
ers covered by awards) subject to
services deficit increased from $3.1
ulcers and are working on detect-
union commitments to continue the
billion in 1988-89 to $4.1' billion in
ing molecules that reject trans-
restructuring of awards on pay
1989-90.
plants. Their success with in vitro
and conditions of employment so
techniques in countering human
they meet the modern competitive
Fiscal policy
sterility has attracted international
requirements of industry. It will
The Federal Government an-
interest.
play a vital role in the development
nounces its budget of revenue and
Australia has been a pioneer in
of a more flexible and skilled
expenditure in August each year.
solar energy research, and scientists
workforce and more efficient forms
The Federal Budget covers the fi-
also are investigating other poten-
of work organisation. As well, there
nancial year starting on the pre-
tial energy sources, including wind
is scope for additional increases
ceding 1 July and ending on the
and sea power. Australian ad-
negotiated at the enterprise level
following June 30. It must be passed
vances in technology include the
based on achieved increases in
by both Houses of Parliament. The
development of an internationally
productivity. This will provide
Government may also announce
accepted aircraft landing system, a
further impetus to improved flex-
some initial budgetary measures,
heart pacemaker, a bionic ear' and
ibility and productivity.
popularly known as a 'mini-
30
51
Budget', just before the beginning
cent of GDP, a fall of 6.5 percentage
membership of 3.4 million The
number of areas, including em-
Australian Council of Trade Un-
ployment. It also seeks to elimi-
of the financial year.
points since 1983-84.
ions (ACTU) has an official affili-
nate discrimination involving
The six State and two Territo-
As a result of fiscal restraint,
the net public sector borrowing
ated membership of 160 unions
sexual harassment.
rial governments also present an-
requirements (including public
representing more than 2 750 000
The Racial Discrimination Act
nual budgets, usually soon after
workers.
1975 prohibits discrimination in
the Federal Budget has been an-
enterprises and State and Local
employment on the grounds of
nounced. The States receive
governments) has fallen from a
Labour force
race, colour, descent or national or
slightly less than half their revenue
peak of 7.1 per cent of GDP in 1983-
For the 12 months ended October
ethnic origin.
from the Federal Government.
84 to 0.1 per cent in 1989-90.
1990, Australia's labour force aver-
South Australia and New
Tight fiscal policy has reduced
the Federal Budget deficit from a
Company taxation
aged 8.43 million or 63.7 per cent of
South Wales have introduced leg-
the civilian population aged 15 or
peak of 4.1 per cent of GDP in 1983-
Companies, other than non-profit
islation to prohibit discrimination
more.
companies, are liable to pay tax if
on the grounds of age.
84 to a surplus of 2.2 per cent of
In October 1990, 6.18 million
GDP in 1989-90. The Budget for
the taxable income is $1 or more.
people (79 per cent of the employed
Working hours
1990-91 provides for a fourth suc-
The rate of tax payable by compa-
labour force) worked fulltime.
The standard working week in
cessive surplus.
nies was reduced from 49 per cent
Manufacturing, wholesale and re-
Australia has been reduced pro-
Around 32 per cent of total
to 39 per cent for 1988-89 and be-
tail trade, construction and com-
gressively to 38 hours in most in-
outlays is allocated to social secu-
yond. An imputation system of
munity services accounted for 61
dustries, worked usually from
rity, 10 per cent to defence and 6.5
company taxation, introduced from
per cent of all full-time workers.
Monday to Friday. Employees in
per cent for public interest debt.
1 July 1987, has eliminated the
service occupations are paid more
Transfers to State and Local gov-
previous double taxation of dis-
Wages and conditions
penalty rates') when they work at
ernments account for about 29 per
tributed income. Distributed in-
Federal and state industrial tribu-
weekends.
cent of Federal outlays, with about
come is effectively taxed only once
nals set rates of pay and conditions
half being for specific purposes and
by crediting the company tax paid
of employment for 85 per cent of
Paid leave
half for general purpose assistance.
on the underlying income against
Australian employees covered by
Legislation or awards give four
Since 1985, the Government
the income tax payable by domes-
awards, determinations or indus-
weeks paid annual leave to almost
has introduced a range of tax re-
tic shareholders. Non-resident
trial agreements. Most are mini-
all employees. Many employees
forms resulting in a broadening of
shareholders who receive franked
mum rates and management and
receive an annual leave loading of
the tax base and a marked increase
dividends (where company tax has
labour may negotiate above-award
17.5 per cent on their pay.
in compliance, with a consequent
been paid on the distributed in-
rates. Over-award payments are
boost to revenue. The principal
come) are exempt from dividend
widespread. Award rates are fixed
Labour market
reason behind the significant im-
withholding tax. A rebate of tax is
without regard to the sex of the
For the 12 months ended October
provement in the financial posi-
generally allowable for all divi-
employee.
1990, employment grew by 2.6 per
tion of the Federal Government has
dends paid between domestic
The Sex Discrimination Act
cent. In October 1990, the unem-
been continued reductions in out-
public companies and for franked
1984 seeks to eliminate discrimi-
ployment rate was 7.6 per cent in
lays. In 1990-91, Federal spending
dividends received by private do-
nation, on the grounds of sex,
seasonally adjusted terms.
is estimated to represent 23.5 per
mestic companies.
marital status or pregnancy, in a
Australia has a highly skilled
31
and mobile workforce.
Capital gains tax
majority of industry sectors, pro-
As part of the income tax system, a
posals are approved readily unless
capital gains tax is levied on the
judged contrary to the national in-
realised gains made on assets pur-
terest. The policy is administered
Labour
chased on or after 20 September
in a practical manner and is based
and industrial
1985. An allowance is made for
on guidelines rather than inflex-
inflation before gains are taxed.
ible rules.
relations
Individuals pay the tax at the rel-
Investment is restricted in civil
evant personal rate and companies
aviation, the media, banking, min-
Working conditions in Australia
pay the tax at the company tax rate.
erals (including uranium) and some
are regulated by legislation and by
categories of real estate. Specific
industrial awards. Awards are le-
Double taxation agreements
Australian equity guidelines (usu-
gal documents made by industrial
In addition to unilateral relief from
ally 50:50) apply to new mineral
tribunals which set out details of
double taxation provided by a
projects, excluding oil and gas.
pay and conditions of employment.
foreign tax credit system, Australia
These guidelines are flexible.
They have the same role as a collec-
has in force comprehensive agree-
tive agreement in many other
ments for the avoidance of double
Banking
countries. Under the Constitution,
taxation with Britain, the United
The banking system comprises the
States, Canada, New Zealand,
Reserve Bank of Australia (the
the power of the Australian Par-
liament to regulate labour relations
Singapore, Japan, Germany, the
central bank) and 32 commercial
is limited to the prevention and
Netherlands, France, Belgium, the
banking groups. The Australian
settlement, by conciliation and ar-
Philippines, Switzerland, Malay-
financial environment underwent
bitration, of industrial disputes
sia, Sweden, Denmark, Norway,
considerable change in the 1980s as
extending beyond state limits. State
the Republic of Korea, Ireland,
the Government deregulated fi-
parliaments can regulate indus-
Malta, Italy, Finland, Austria,
nancial markets. In December 1983,
trial relations within their States.
Papua New Guinea and Thailand.
the exchange rate was floated and
Agreements with China, Sri Lanka
most exchange controls abolished.
Associations and unions
and Fiji have been signed but have
Almost all borrowing, lending and
The conciliation and arbitration
not yet entered into force.
interest controls on the banking
system encourages unionism, op-
system were removed. Having
erating on the premise that em-
Foreign investment
sought applications from both do-
ployers and employees will be
Australia's foreign investment
mestic and foreign interests to es-
represented before tribunals by
policy is framed with a view to
tablish new banks, banking licences
registered organisations. Fifty-four
encouraging foreign investment in
to operate in Australia were granted
per cent of employees belong to
Australia and ensuring that such
to 15 foreign banks, in some cases
Australia's 295 trade unions. At 30
investment is consistent with the
in joint ventures with Australian
C
June 1990, unions had a financial
needs of the community. In the
partners.
32
Banks from nine other coun-
had fallen by over 5 percentage
tries now operate in Australia: the
points from their recent peaks,
United States, Britain, New Zea-
while prime rates had declined by
land, France, China, Germany, Ja-
4.5 points to around 16 per cent.
pan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Exchange rates
Monetary policy
Australia moved to a floating ex-
Monetary policy in Australia is
change rate system in December
implemented by the Reserve Bank
1983. Under this system, market
of Australia. Although the Aus-
forces determine the value of the
tralian Government has ultimate
Australian dollar at any given time.
responsibility for monetary policy,
the central bank has an independ-
Structural policy
ent charter to implement those
Australia has made significant
policies that best contribute to price
progress in microeconomic reform,
stability, the stability of Australia's
progressing on a broad front in-
currency, the maintenance of full
cluding reform of financial markets,
employment and the economic
taxation, primary and manufac-
prosperity and welfare of the
turing industry protection, avia-
Australian people. Monetary
tion, telecommunications and
Queensland, and the remainder
Wine
policy is conducted on a day-to-
government business enterprises.
from New South Wales. In 1989-
day basis by the Reserve Bank
The reform has set out to achieve
Wines from Australia have con-
dealing in Federal Government
higher sustainable growth in living
90, exports of sugar were 2.9 mil-
tinued to gain acceptance in other
lion tonnes, the main markets being
Securities to influence conditions
standards through improved effi-
countries despite very keen com-
in short-term professional money
ciency and economic performance.
Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea,
petition. Sweden is the largest ex-
The Government has estab-
Malaysia and China.
markets.
port market for Australian wine,
lished the Industry Commission as
Fruit
followed by the United Kingdom,
Financial conditions
an independent advisory body to
New Zealand, Japan and the US.
Australia exports a variety of fruits,
Interest rates have fallen substan-
undertake inquiries in areas such
About 370 million litres of wine
including apples, pears and citrus,
tially over the last year, reversing
as energy generation and distribu-
and canned, frozen and dried fruit.
was produced in 1989-90 from a
much of the sharp tightening in
tion, rail transport, the automotive,
vintage of 544 000 tonnes. The
Australia has about 23 million fruit
monetary policy over 1988 and
dairy and sugar industries, and
trees and about 58 000 ha of vine-
State of South Australia produces
1989. During 1990, monetary policy
mining and minerals processing.
yards. In addition, about 123 000
about 50 per cent of Australia's
was eased five times in response to
ha of land is devoted to vegetables.
total wine production. Exports in
falling inflation and slowing eco-
1989-90 were estimated at 42 mil-
The total 1989-90 gross value of
nomic conditions. As a result, at
lion litres, four times the level of
production of fruit and vegetables
the end of October 1990, cash rates
the mid-1980s.
was $2522 million.
48
Picking grapes that are destined to be
Cotton is an important
used in Australian vintage wines.
export commodity.
33
highest in the world at about 100
Preliminary 1989-90 production is
kg per person a year. The main
14.1 million tonnes, and this is fore-
meats exported are beef and veal,
cast to increase to 15 million tonnes
mutton and lamb. Australia has
in 1990-91. Wheat-growing is
about 24 million head of cattle.
highly mechanised and involves
Australia has developed strict
more than 40 000 farmers in a
standards of slaughtering,
wheatbelt that stretches for 4000
processing, cutting, packing and
km through five mainland states.
Trade
presentation of meat.
The main markets are China, Egypt,
From theearly 1970s until 1984,
Japan and Iran.
Australia is a middle-level trading
Australia was the world's major
nation, about 20th in the world in
exporter of beef and veal. The EC
Coarse grains
terms of the value of imports and
passed Australia as the major ex-
Barley, oats, sorghum, maize and
exports. These each comprise
porter in 1984. The US remains by
triticale are the main coarse grain
15 per cent of the national income.
far Australia's largest customer,
crops. Small quantities of rye and
Traditionally, Australia has
followed by Japan. These two
millet are grown. In 1988-89,
imported a wide range of goods
markets account for 81 per cent of
barley production was estimated
and services from a large number
total beef and veal exports. Aus-
of countries, and has financed these
at 4.1 million tonnes; sorghum 0.9
tralia also exports pigmeat and
million tonnes; oats 1.6 million
imports mainly through exports of
poultry.
tonnes; maize 202 000 tonnes; and
primary commodities. Although
triticale 163 000 tonnes.
their share in total export values is
Dairying
gradually declining, commodities
High quality products include
Rice
still dominate the export base,
butter, cheese, processed milk and
Production of rice for 1989-90 was
comprising about two-thirds of
casein. Of the $692 million earned
estimated at 894 000 tonnes.
export revenues in 1990. Australia
from dairy exports in 1989-90, $189
is a key world supplier of many
million was from cheese. The in-
Oilseeds
important commodities.
dustry is located mainly in the
Oilseed production in 1989-90 was
Chief among these are coal,
south-eastern region of the main-
estimated at 773 000 tonnes.
wool, wheat, alumina, beef, iron
land and in northern Tasmania,
Oilseeds grown in Australia in-
ore and sugar. During the 1980s
where rainfall is ample and fairly
clude sunflower seed, soyabeans,
there was some development of
reliable.
cottonseed, linseed, rapeseed and
new export sectors in resource ar-
safflower seed.
Wheat
eas such as gold, aluminium, gas
and crude oil. There was signifi-
Improved varieties and manage-
Sugar
cant downstream processing in
ment techniques have increased
Nearly 95 per cent of Australia's
some important export sectors.
yields per hectare. About 9 million
production of almost 28 million
Australian greasy wool is increas-
ha were sown to wheat in 1989-90.
tonnes of sugar cane comes from
ingly processed locally and ex-
47
34
ported as scoured wool and baux-
market, receiving just over a quar-
and live sheep $2869 million; wheat
about four per cent to gross domes-
ter of total exports in the 1980s. The
$2507 million; barley $344 million;
tic product.
ite shipments have been replaced
rice $179 million; other grains and
In highly urbanised Australia,
by exports of processed alumina
dynamic Asian economies (Hong
Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and the
oilseeds $320 million; sugar $1050
the relative importance of the agri-
and aluminium.
Republic of Korea) and the coun-
million; dairy products $692 mil-
cultural sector has been declining
In the last five years, export
volumes have grown by over 30
tries of ASEAN are Australia's
lion; raw cotton $540 million; fruit
but agricultural industries remain
per cent, dominated by 80 per cent
fastest growing markets. The
and wine $299 million.
large earners of foreign exchange
United States, New Zealand,
The gross value of rural pro-
and account for about 30 per cent
growth in elaborately transformed
duction in 1989-90 was $23 877
manufactures (ETMs) and 50 per
United Kingdom, China, Germany,
of total export income.
million. Wool accounted for about
cent growth in services. Within
Italy, France and Canada are also
$6072 million; livestock slaughter-
Sheep and wool
ETMs, the largest contributions to
key trading partners.
Australia promotes and facili-
ing $5640; wheat $2838 million;
Australia is the world's largest
growth came from ADP equip-
barley $710 million; other grains
producer of the fine wools used in
ment, transport equipment, in-
tates trade through its multilateral,
and oilseeds $961 million; milk
clothing. The wool is produced by
dustrial machinery, glass and clay
regional, bilateral and domestic
economic policies. It aims to con-
$1787 million; fruit $1190 million;
about 000 woolgrowers owning
goods, professional and scientific
vegetables $1223 million; cotton
about 175 million sheep grazing on
equipment, dyestuffs and phar-
tribute to the strongest possible
$568 million.
about half the area of the continent.
maceuticals. Australia is develop-
multilateral outcomes through the
About four-fifths of Austral-
ing a competitive edge in
GATT. Australia has a particular
Agricultural output
ia's sheep are the merino breed,
high-technology engineering ex-
interest in freer and fairer agricul-
There are about 127 500 properties
the best fine wool sheep, and Aus-
ports such as scientific/medical
tural trade; in this context, Aus-
in Australia which have an esti-
tralian wool is distinguished by its
equipment, (including photo, op-
tralia initiated the Cairns Group of
mated value of agricultural opera-
consistency of fibre. Ninety-seven
tical and timing equipment), tel-
Fair Trading Agricultural Export-
tions of $20 000 or more. These
per cent of Australian wool is ex-
ecommunications and aerospace.
ers, comprising 14 countries of the
cover about 470 million hectares,
ported, mainly in the greasy form,
Tourism dominates services
Asia-Pacific region, Latin America
or 61 per cent of the total land area.
though up to 20 per cent of the total
exports and this sector is attracting
and East Europe.
In contrast with many other coun-
is part-processed. Australia sup-
large amounts of foreign invest-
More recently, Australia initi-
tries, about 90 per cent of all agri-
plies about half of the wool used in
ment. Australia is also looking to
ated the Asia Pacific Economic
cultural land is in its natural state
diversify its services exports into
Cooperation (APEC) process, a
#
apparel, and around 30 per cent of
and is capable only of limited de-
all greasy wool produced in the
areas such as education (training
high-level consultative process de-
velopment. This land is used
world. The main markets are Ja-
and consultancy), health (medical
signed to identify and project more
mainly for light grazing by cattle or
pan, the Soviet Union, China and
services) and information (devel-
effectively the common interests of
sheep. Agricultural production has
the EC.
oping computer software).
regional economies in an open
risen substantially since the early
Australia's trade with the
multilateral trading system and to
1950s
Meat
countries of the Asia-Pacificregion
facilitate the economic dynamism
Despite a declining rural la-
Australia markets meat in more
has expanded rapidly. Well over
of the region through a practical
bour force, rural output has in-
than 100 countries and supplies
half its exports are destined for
program of economic cooperation
creased by more than 150 per cent
the domestic market where the
Asia; Japan is its largest export
at the sectoral level.
since 1950-51, and contributes
consumption of meat is the third
Australia's fine wool is keenly
Mining uranium by
sought for high quality
the open cut method at
35
clothing and textiles.
the Ranger mine.
Primary industry
Resources
The ravages of drought, bushfire
and energy
and flood have not prevented the
Australia has become one of the
world's driest inhabited continent
world's major producers of min-
from becoming an important pro-
erals and metals. It has major de-
ducer and exporter of agricultural
posits of bauxite, black and brown
products.
coal, mineral sands, gold, lead, zinc,
Although about a third of the
iron, copper, nickel, manganese,
country is unsuitable for any form
uranium and diamonds.
of agricultural or pastoral use and
A major producer and exporter
another third supports only pas-
of energy resources and one of only
toral activity, Australia leads the
five net energy exporters in the
world in wool production and is a
OECD, Australia is the world's
significant supplier of cereals, dairy
largest exporter of coal and a major
produce, meat, sugar and fruit.
exporter of uranium, and exports
Technical innovation and re-
significant quantities of light crude
search, particularly in soil fertility,
oil (although it imports heavy
pasture production and crop yields,
crude). It exports increasingly large
have helped to cut farm costs and
quantities of liquefied natural gas.
open up new land for cultivation.
Australia has been able to carry
Crude oil and natural gas
out commercial farm production
Substantial oil and gas discoveries
under desert and semi-desert con-
have been made in Australia in the
ditions and the techniques and
last three decades. There is good
equipment developed are finding
potential for more, as many sedi-
markets in countries with similar
mentary basins have been explored
climates.
only lightly. Discoveries in recent
The total value of rural exports
years in the Timor Sea and off
in 1989-90 was $15 144 million.
Western Australia underscore this
Major rural exports included wool
potential and tests of new explora-
valued at about $3706 million; meat
tion concepts are encouraging.
Highly mechanised handling of coal
High technology design PSZ valves are sought for
36
health and oil industry applications around the world.
45
destined for the export market.
Australian demand for petro-
nium resources. The major depos-
sisted through a bounty on ships
rails, rods, wire, coated and
leum products is satisfied mainly
its are in the Northern Territory,
built in Australia and through im-
uncoated steel sheets, and tinplate.
by domestic refinery capacity, us-
South Australia and Western
port restrictions on second-hand
Basic steel is produced at Port
ing both domestic and imported
Australia.
vessels.
Kembla and Newcastle in New
crudes. Domestic refining capacity
Uranium mining and export
South Wales, and at Whyalla in
is modern and second only to Sin-
are permitted from only the Ranger
Processed food
South Australia. Raw steel output
gapore's in the South-East Asian
mine in the Northern Territory and
Australia enjoys the climatic and
in 1989-90 was 6.7 million tonnes.
region.
the Olympic Dam mine in South
geographic environment necessary
Australia exports refined pe-
Australia and are subject to strin-
for the cultivation and processing
Paper and pulp
troleum products to meet regional
gent safeguard requirements.
of virtually all types of food prod-
Production of paper and
requirements, particularly in the
Nabarlek ceased production in
ucts, and food processing is the
paperboard including newsprint
South Pacific.
1988. Ranger produces about 3000
largest single segment of manufac-
was. about 1.87 million tonnes in
Total proved and probable re-
tonnes of uranium a year, but could
turing industry in the country, em-
1989-90. This represented about 70
serves of Australian crude oil and
double production. The Olympic
ploying 176 364 people. Turnover
per cent of apparent local con-
condensate exceed 1600 million
Dam copper-uranium-gold project
in 1988-89 totalled $3 billion.
sumption. Wood pulp production
barrels.
began commercial production of
totalled one million tonnes.
Motor vehicles
uranium concentrates in 1988, pro-
Coal
ducing about 1000 tonnes of ura-
The motor vehicle industry (in-
Aluminium
The world's largest exporter and
nium. A review of the policy is
cluding the component sector) oc-
The aluminium industry includes
seventh-largest producer of black
currently being carried out by a
cupies an important place in
two fully integrated (bauxite/
coal, Australia has estimated re-
committee of the Australian Labor
Australian manufacturing indus-
alumina/aluminium/ semi-
serves of more than 500 billion
Party.
try and employs more than 65 000
fabricating) groups, Comalco and
tonnes, about two thirds of which
people.
Alcoa of Australia, while a third
is considered recoverable. Abouta
Iron ore
In 1989, 448 514 new cars and
producer, Alcan Australia, operates
tenth of it comes under the heading
Australia is the world's second
station wagons were registered.
a smelter and semi-fabricating
of demonstrated, economically re-
largest exporter of iron ore, export-
Another 158 985 utilities, panel
plants. A fourth producer, Tomago,
coverable resources. Almost all of
ing 97 million tonnes of its esti-
vans, trucks and buses were also
a joint venture comprising Euro-
it is in NSW and Queensland.
mated 1989-90 production of 110
registered during the year.
pean and Australian interests, is
About half Australia's coal ex-
million tonnes. It has demonstrated
confined to aluminium smelting
Iron and steel
ports in recent years have gone to
economic resources of more than
principally for export.
Japan but its share is declining as
14 300 million tonnes of high-grade
Australia's biggest company, The
In 1990, production of alu-
sales to other Asian countries and
ore. Most is produced in Western
Broken Hill Proprietary Company
minium was 1.27 million tonnes.
Europe increase.
Australia.
Limited (BHP), is the predominant
Exports in 1989 reached 935 000
producer of iron and steel products
tonnes, more than 70 per cent of
Uranium
Bauxite and alumina
in Australia. BHP's various divi-
production, and valued at about
Australia's reasonably assured
The largest producer in the world
sions produce nearly the whole
$2100 million.
uranium resources represent nearly
of both bauxite and alumina, Aus-
range of steel products, including
a third of the Western world's ura-
tralia produced nearly 40 million
plate, billets, structural shapes,
007
dio equipment. Demand for
manufacturing techniques and
computers, electronic components
project management skills. Most
tonnes of bauxite in 1989-90, about
mainly in NSW, Queensland, Tas-
and consumer electronic equip-
companies in the industry can work
43 per cent of world production.
mania and Western Australia.
ment is mostly supplied by imports.
on a range of general engineering
Alumina production in 1989-90 was
The industry employs about 60000
Lead refinery-smelters operate
projects. The industry employs
a record 11 million tonnes, about
in Queensland, NSW and South
and is increasingly export oriented.
about 85 000 (eight per cent of total
33 per cent of the world total. Ex-
Australia. The Port Pirie (South
Engineering
manufacturing employment) and
ports were 8.3 million tonnes, val-
Australia) smelter is the largest in
has an annual turnover of about
ued at $2696 million. Australia
A wide range of heavy plant - such
the world. One of the world's major
$5500 million.
produced 1.2 million tonnes of
as oil rigs, power stations and min-
zinc refineries is at Risdon, Tas-
ing equipment - is produced in
Shipbuilding
aluminium, about 9 per cent of
mania.
Australia. Lighter products include
world production. Exports of
Small to medium-sized ships are
bauxite, alumina and aluminium
Copper
machine tools, industrial robots,
constructed in a number of Aus-
together totalled about $5 billion.
Demonstrated economic re-
die castings, forgings and many
tralian shipyards, including small
sources of copper in Australia are
types of measuring and recording
trading vessels and specialised
Lead and zinc
large, several major deposits hav-
instruments. Major engineering
vessels such as tugs, dredges,
Australia has substantial resources
ing been discovered in the 1980s. It
projects in Australia in recent years
barges, fishing vessels, passenger
of lead and zinc and is one of the
is mined in all States except Victo-
have given local industry opportu-
ferries and oil rig service vessels.
world's major producers and ex-
ria and refineries operate in
nities to develop new technology,
The shipbuilding industry is as-
porters. Lead and zinc are mined
Queensland, NSW and South Aus-
Continuous rod coiling of copper adds
43
38
value to the export of this mineral.
tralia. More than half the country's
bre optics. The industry has been
mestic innovation has resulted in
Aerospace industry
output of refined copper is ex-
developing projects for further
overseas licensing of many Aus-
There are about 80 companies in
ported. Total annual copper pro-
processing producing, for exam-
tralian-devised products and
the industry employing about 14
duction is about 250 000 tonnes.
ple, titanium dioxide pigment,
processes.
000 Industry association figures
high-purity zirconia and rare
earths.
Tertiary sector
indicate significant growth in ac-
Nickel
The tertiary or service sector is the
tivity in the latter 1980s with turno-
Australia ranks third in world mine
output of nickel, and exports nearly
Other minerals
largest segment of the Australian
ver in 1988 of approximately $845
all ofit. In Western Australia, where
The manganese mine on Groote
economy and it has been growing
million. Of this, nearly $400 mil-
lion represented export sales.
economic resources of nickel sul-
Eylandt, in the Northern Territory,
in importance relative to other
phide ore are large, the ore is
is one of the world's largest mines
major sectors in recent decades.
processed to nickel matte and metal
and Australia is one of only three
The major employer in the sector is
Chemicals and plastics
for export. Nickel laterite ore mined
retail and wholesale trade, followed
The Australian chemicals and
major world exporters of the min-
in Queensland is processed into
eral. Ore and refined forms (ferro-
by community services, finance,
plastics industries use local and
nickel oxide but the reserves are
alloys and electrolytic manganese
property and business services and
imported materials to produce a
nearing exhaustion.
dioxide) are also produced. Tin
the construction industry. Em-
wide range of intermediate and
ore is another mineral produced,
ployment in the sector accounts for
end products. These include pet-
Gold
most of it exported to Malaysia for
about 78 per cent of total Austral-
rochemicals, fertilisers, plastics,
Australia is the third largest pro-
refining.
ian employment, an increase from
pharmaceuticals, agricultural
ducer of gold in the Western world,
Australia is also the world's
64 per cent in the mid-1960s. The
chemicals, paints, soaps and deter-
with production in 1989-90 reach-
largest producer by volume of
sector's share of the GDP is about
gents.
ing a record 223 tonnes compared
diamonds and the world's leading
67 per cent.
Electrical and
with only 17 tonnes in 1980. Exports
producer of sapphires and opals.
in 1989-90 were valued at $2.9 bil-
Small business
electronic industries
lion. The rapid growth of the
Electricity
A small business can generally be
The Australian electrical industry
Australian gold industry in the
Each state has its own pattern of
defined as one which employs up
meets a substantial part of local
1980s was based on an attractive
electric power development. Elec-
to 100 people in manufacturing in-
demand for domestic and indus-
gold price and the development of
tricity is generated mainly by
dustries and up to 20 people in
trial products. Australia produces
innovative exploration, production
burning coal; natural gas and hy-
non-manufacturing industries.
a wide range of electrical goods,
and management techniques.
dro-electric power are other
There are 600 000 small busi-
including motors, transformers,
sources.
ness in Australia and an additional
domestic appliances, control gear
Mineral sands
150 000 in the farming sector. They
and cables. The electronics indus-
Australia is the leading producer
Hydro-electric energy accounts for
account for 96 per cent of all firms,
try supplies much of the local
of rutile, zircon, monazite and al-
about a ninth of all electricity gen-
half of private sector employment
market for telecommunications
luvial ilmenite. All of these miner-
erated in Australia. The Snowy
and a third of all employment in
equipment. Other products in-
als have high-technology
Mountains droelectric scheme in
Australia. It is estimated 86 per
clude advanced scientific and de-
applications in aerospace work,
south-east Australia is one of the
cent of all manufacturing firms in
fence electronics, small computers
advanced ceramics, lasers and fi-
country's greatest engineering un-
Australia are small businesses.
and terminals and consumer au-
Fashion clothing for children
has been well accepted on
export markets.
Manufacturing
industry
In little more than a generation
Australians have cast aside their
former image as a basically rural
dertakings and one of the world's
propriate mix of energy supplies to
society and embarked on an era of
larger irrigation and power
meet its changing needs.
rapid industrial development.
projects. The scheme, which diverts
The nation is committed to
Today, Australia has a broad in-
water inland from coastal water-
continued research into and devel-
dustrial base using advanced tech-
sheds, has seven power stations, a
opment of renewable energy, en-
nology. Manufacturing ranges
pumping station, 16 large and
ergy conservation, efficient energy
from fashion garments to food,
many smaller dams, 145km of
use and alternative fuels. It main-
complex electronics to household
tunnels and 80km of aqueducts,
tains a major geological and geo-
appliances, base metals to preci-
and took 25 years to build. Its
physical research and investigation
sion instruments, oil refining and
generating capacity is 3740 mega-
program.
to plastics.
watts.
Australia is an active member
Aided by Australia's political
of the International Energy Agency.
stability, rich natural resources,
Energy policy
Domestically, there is consid-
steady population growth and
Energy policy in Australia is for-
erable consultation on energy
substantial capital investment from
mulated to be consistent with ma-
matters. The main advisory and
within the country and overseas,
jor economic, industrial and social
consultative bodies are: Austral-
manufacturing industry accounts
objectives and its key goals are:
ian Minerals and Energy Council,
for 17 per cent of gross domestic
security of overall energy supplies;
National Energy Consultative
product and more than 20 per cent
development of the energy
Council, National Energy Research,
of exports. One-sixth of the coun-
exports sector; and
Development and Demonstration
try's workers are employed in
efficiency in the domestic energy
Council and the National Oil Sup-
manufacturing industry.
sector.
plies Advisory Committee.
Many Australian companies
The policy is intended to pro-
manufacture overseas products
vide the right framework to ensure
under licence. A high level of do-
that Australia has access to the ap-
ARAFURA SEA
41
40
TIMOR SEA
DARWIN
Nhulunbuy
(Gove)
ARNHEM
DalyR
Weipa
LAND
CAPE
Katherine
GULF OF
YORK
GREAT
10am 1130ami Noon
Roper R
Wyndham
CARPENTARIA
PENINSULA
INDIAN OCEAN
Time Zones
KIMBERLEY
Ord R
Derby
Broome
BARKLY TABLET ELAND EL
Normanton
Cairns
FitzroyR
Halls Creek
BARRIER
CORAL SEA
Tennant Creek
Finders R
Townsville
Charters
Port Hedland.
Mount Isa
Towers
NORTHERN
Dampier.
GREAT SANDY DESERT
Georgina R
Hughenden
Bey
REEF
TERRITORY
Fortescue
QUEENSLAND
Mackay
R
Exmouth,
PILBARA
Alice Springs
Newman
GIBSON DESERT
R
Ayers
Rock
THE CHANNEL Dianantina COUNTRY
Longreach
Finke
SIMPSON
Emerald Dawson R
Rockhampton
DESERT
Bundaberg
Carnarvon
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
WarregoR
Maryborough
Murchison R
Meekatharra
Oodnadatta
Roma
GREAT VICTORIA DESERT
L Eyre
Cooper C
Cunnamulla
Toowoomba
BRISBANE
Gold Coast
Geraldton
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
NULLARBOR PLAIN
Leigh Creek.
Moree
Bourke
Kalgoorlie
Darling R
Grafton
Ceduna
Armidale
Northam
Port Augusta
Broken Hill
Cobar
Tamworth
Norseman
Port Macquarie
PERTH
GREAT AUSTRALIAN BIGHT
Whyalla
NEW SOUTH WALES
Port Pirie
Dubbo
Taree
Narrogin
Bunbury
Esperance
ADELAIDE
Mildura.
Lachlan R
Orange
Manjimup
Port Lincoln
Murrumbidgee Murray Griffith R
SYDNEY
Goulburn
Albany
Wollongong
VICTORIA
R
CANBERRA
INDIAN OCEAN
SOUTHERN OCEAN
Albury
Bendigo
SOUTH PACIFIC Newcastle OCEAN
Mount Gambier.
Ballarat*
Bega
MELBOURNE
Geelong
Sale
TASMAN SEA
Burnie
Devonport
TASMANIA
Launceston
HOBART