Australia Bank Account

General Information About Australia

A vast island continent situated south of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, Australia lies between the Pacific and Indian oceans. The world's sixth largest country, Australia measures some 4000km (2500mi) east to west and 3200km (2000mi) north to south. Australia is a multicultural society. English-speaking Australians are liable to use a hotchpotch of indigenous slang and shortened words that often makes their speech slightly impenetrable. Australia has a rich artistic heritage and a vibrant contemporary art scene

• Population: 19.5 million
• Political Structure: The Australian political system is a blend of Westminster parliamentary government and United States federalism. However, its Constitution provides a very incomplete and sometimes misleading impression of its actual workings.
  The system is based on seven sets of constitutional statutes establishing the six states and the federation. Federal legislative powers are vested in the Senate, the House of Representatives and the monarch, who also holds formal executive power. The monarch is represented by the Governor-General, who holds the key powers of summoning and dissolving Parliament, appointing ministers and assenting to legislation. The Governor-General's role is less central than the Constitution suggests because many of the conventions of government are not mentioned in the document.