B11

Australia is an island continent and the world's sixth largest country. The continent and the island of Tasmania, off its south-eastern coast, make up the Commonwealth of Australia.

 SOUTH-EAST

B12

Australia is a federation of six states and two territories. The largest State, Western Australia, is about the same size as Western Europe. The country has a parliamentary system of administration modelled on the British one, and the state and federal structures are broadly similar.

 PARLIAMENT

B13

Australia's system of administration is based on the democratic tradition.

 DEMOCRAT

B14

Australia is still a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, but although Britain's king or queen is the Australian Head of State, Australia is fully autonomous.

 FULL

B15

The British sovereign is represented by the governor-general and state governors, whose nomination for the post is ratified by the monarch of the day.

 NOMINATE

B16

Ministers of the government are elected for a maximum of three years. Voting is by secret ballot and is compulsory for persons 18 years of age and over.

 GOVERN