It would be easy to overlook the third smallest country in the world as a frivolous waste of time. Nothing could be further from the truth in regards to the island of Nauru. It is a multifarious nation described as almost a topographical micro slice of paradise. The Nauruan people have formed a democratic republic with a constitution safeguarding liberties and ensuring prosperity. At least this is according to the Nauru websites available to the public. Countries often present themselves as a glossy postcard picture on the outside. This picture does not always match the reality of what is on the inside. Looking at what the Nauruan Government and Tourist Organization have to say can serve as a baseline for comparison to the realities that Nauru is facing and the gap between the two.
Nauru is a small island located only 26 miles south of the equator with a land mass of just over eight square miles. The government describes the island purely in topographical terms as “surrounded by a coral reef, exposed at low tide and dotted with pinnacles. The reef is bound seaward by deep water, and inside by a sandy beach. The presence of the reef has prevented the establishment of a seaport …a 150–300 meter wide fertile coastal strip lies landward from the beach. Coral cliffs surround the central plateau. The only fertile areas are the narrow coastal belt” (Republic of Nauru [RON], 2012, p.1).
The Nauru government is also very proud of their parliamentary democracy and much of their website explains not only the freedom but also compulsory voting at age twenty and above. Their constitution also touts the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms such as “life, liberty, security of the person, the enjoyment of property and th...
... middle of paper ...
...all, D. (2009). Doomed Island: Nauru's short-sightedness and resulting decline are an urgent warning to the rest of the planet. Alternatives Journal, 35(1), 34-37.
Nauru Tourism, Department of Economic Development.(2012). Unique Nauru. Retrieved on 27 May 2012 from: http://www.discovernauru.com/
Singh, S. (2007, Mar 28). South pacific: Island nations struggle with obesity epidemic. Global Information Network, pp. 1. http://search.proquest.com/docview/457564219?Accountid =38569
The Republic of Nauru.(2011). Republic of Nauru. Retrieved on 27 May 2012 from: http://www.naurugov.nr/index.html
The Republic of Nauru.(2011). The constitution of Nauru. Retrieved on 27 May 2012 from: http://www.naurugov.nr/parliament/constitution.html
U.S, Department of State Website(2012) Background Note: Nauru. Retrieved on 27 May 2012 from: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/16447.htm
A Constitution is a set of rules put in place to govern a country, by which the parliament, executive and judiciary must abide by in law making and administering justice. In many countries, these laws are easily changed, while in Australia, a referendum process must take place to alter the wording of the Constitution (Commonwealth of Australia, date unknown, South Australian Schools Constitutional Convention Committee 2001). Since the introduction of the Australian Constitution in January 1901, there have been sufficient proposals to alter and insert sections within the body to reflect the societal values of the day, ensuring the Constitution remains relevant to the Australian people. Although Constitutional reform can be made on a arrangement of matters, the latest protests on Indigenous recognition and racial references within the body of the Constitution has called into question the validity of racial inclusion, and whether amendments should be made to allow for recognition. This essay will focus on the necessity of these amendments and evaluate the likelihood of change through the process of referenda.
no author. (2011). New Australian of the Year Wants to Debate an Australian Republic. Available: http://www.republic.org.au/story/new-australian-year-wants-australians-debate-australian-republic-courier-mail-26111. Last accessed 20th June 2011.
Terra Nullius was once apparent in Australian society, but has now been nullified with the turn of the century and the changes of societal attitudes. With the political changes in our society, and the apology to Indigenous Australians, society is now witnessing an increase in aboriginals gaining a voice in today’s society. Kevin Rudd’s apology as described by Pat Dodson (2006) as a seminal moment in Australia’s history, expressed the true spirit of reconciliation opening a new chapter in the history of Australia. Although from this reconciliation, considerable debate has arisen within society as to whether Aboriginals have a right to land of cultural significance. Thus, causing concern for current land owners, as to whether they will be entitled to their land.
ANTAR. (2014). Justice, Rights and Respect for Australia's First Peoples. Retrieved 05/12, 2014, Retrieved from http://antar.org.au/resources/cr-campaigner-kit?sid=3726
The GBR, “listed as a World Heritage Area,” resides in protection by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Wachenfeld 8). Working for this organization, employees have the ability to enforce laws to preserve the Reef as best they can. Another way the GBR gets the attention it needs is through publicity. Many people do not know that the GBR needs help and the word needs to be spread to save the Reef. The documentary, Chasing Coral, by Jeff Orlowski explains that “[w]hen you look at our planet, its unique in the known universe because we’ve got an ocean that is the source of life. It controls everything” (“Chasing Coral”). The film, focusing on coral bleaching, encompasses the widespread impacts on the GBR. It won many major film festivals around the world, showing how important reefs are, and by doing this, people are more aware what is happening and are more likely to help. Although there are efforts to aid the GBR, more needs to be done to truly save it from
The United States fails to protect its borders, while Australia sacrifices human rights in order to do so. Traditionally, first-world countries and their citizens assist those in less developed countries. Many of the island nations in the south pacific suffer from poverty and frequent natural disasters. Most would agree that, as the most developed country in the region, it is Australia’s responsibility to advocate for human rights and contribute to humanitarian efforts for the island nations. To its credit, Australia normally satisfies this role. However, when asylum-seekers come by boat, Australia draws a forceful line. The United States is also tasked with protecting its borders, but takes a more appropriate approach. In 2012, the PEW research
[6] “What Is Making Pacific Islanders Fat?” USA Today [Mclean, VA] 9 May 2004: n. pag.USA Today. Web. 20 Apr. 2013.
In the Pacific, Australia is the most able in providing asylum for international asylum seekers. Australia is currently undergoing reform to its asylum policy. The current leading party is against immigration and supports limiting the number of accepted asylum seekers. Many are pushing policies to expedite asylum seekers to the prosecuting government of origin.
The conditions of Australia’s immigration detention policies have also been cause for concern for probable contraventions of Articles 7 and 10 of the ICCPR. Whilst in Sweden, asylum seekers are afforded free housing whilst their applications are being processed, Australia’s methods are much more callous. Under the Pacific Solution, maritime asylum seekers are sent to impoverished tropical islands with no monitoring by human rights organisations allowed (Hyndman and Mountz, 2008). The UNHCR criticised Australia’s offshore processing centres stating that “significant overcrowding, cramped living quarters, unhygienic conditions, little privacy and harsh tropical climate contribute to the poor conditions of… Nauru and Papua New Guinea” (Morales
An extraordinary 65.3 million Refugees have been displaced around the world. In 2015 Australia took 12,000 of them. But where are Australians placing these Refugees? Australia is deporting these Refugees to a third country, either on Manus or Nauru Island. These Islands have reports of inhumane and cruel treatment towards Refugees For those who aren’t fully aware of what Refugees are; they are people whom come to Australia illegally without the appropriate visas. They cannot obtain these visas because of the reasons they are fleeing their country … their Government. None the less it should be the Australian Government they fear. The concepts of refugees are kept hidden away from us by our own Government in reflection of their Governments own self-interest. This tragedy is classified as a modern day witch hunt.
When you think of the “land down under” you don’t really think of the kind of government they have. I chose to write about the Australian government because I really don’t hear much about Australia. It currently has a pretty interesting story to tell when it comes to their government. I became a bit interested in Australian politics when I saw a political animated cartoon on the internet that depicted Kevin Rudd, the last Prime Minister, on a news television show and it was quite humorous. I am going to give a quick history lesson on Australia then go into how the government formed and came to be. Then I will talk about the Australian constitution, the Australian arms of government, their federal system, political parties and Australia’s current Prime Minister.
I/ First, let see where Tahiti and her islands are located compared to the rest of the world.
A proportion of these visitors are 96% ‘likely’ to recommend New Zealand in future, this has remained unchanged. USA, UK and Germany are most satisfied with their New Zealand Holiday experience. It has been observed that Japanese travellers are significantly more satisfied with their experience compared to past years. Visitors to New Zealand are also highly satisfied with the natural environment. It has been rated a high 9.0 out of ten and receives this high rating across all markets. With 78% believing New Zealand’s environmental practices are better than other countries. It has been found that experiencing natural scenery is a favourite amongst visitors to New Zealand. A decrease has been observed in the past year however, in the average number of activities being participated in, dropping 6.5% in the last year. Price has been seen as a problem in the current state of tourism results, it has been driven by lower satisfaction with price over quality. This has been especially so in the accommodation and food and beverage sector. Both of these are rated as high importance to visitors attributing 29% to the New Zealand holiday experience. Looking more into these sectors it has been observed that food and beverage has rated 8.1 out of ten and accounts for 10% of importance to the New Zealand holiday experience. The quality of food
In conclusion, I would like to say that before writing this paper, I had no idea how important coral reefs were to the earth. I have learned a lot and I think that if more people were informed about the positive capabilities of them, humans wouldn't be so careless about them.
Papua New Guinea’s future is tough to predict. On many levels relationships with other countries regarding trade of oil, gas, and mineral is growing each year and is expecting to grow, the country’s population is facing some basic living issues. According to Global Policy TV, only 40 percent of the island’s residents have access to clean and safe drinking water, only 19 percent have basic toilet options (globalpolicy.tv). The UN has ranked Papua New Guinea no. 156 in the world in quality of life. Something has to be done about these last few issues in order for the country to move forward and for it to get closer to the higher standards of many of its neighbors.