Australia is a democratic federal state within the British Commonwealth. Cabinet members are drawn from the government's elected parliamentary representatives and the cabinet is headed by the Prime Minister, Honorable John Howard. The Liberal-National coalition government has been in power since 1996. The next federal elections are likely to be held towards the end of this year.

Australia is a highly developed industrialized economy, which includes manufacturing, mining, agriculture, and services. The economy contracted in the fourth quarter of 2000 as spending on dwellings continued to plunge and business investment fell. Private consumption remained subdued. The real GDP growth rate is expected to slow from 3.7 percent in 2000 to 1.8 percent in 2001 and recover to 3.3 percent in 2002. Inflation has remained low and seems unlikely to become a problem. Total employment has continued to grow, despite the rise in unemployment.

Australia played a leading role in the formation of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), established in 1989, with its goal to advance Asia-Pacific economic dynamism and sense of community. APEC has since become the primary regional vehicle for promoting open trade and practical economic cooperation.

ILO Constituents

The Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business is Mr. Tony Abbott.

The major employers' organization in Australia is the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry whose secretariat is headed by the Director-General, Mr. Bryan Noakes, member of the ILO Governing Body.

Australia Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is the major union body and is affiliated with the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU). The President of ACTU is Ms. Sharan Burrows and the Secretary is Mr. Greg Combet. The Assistant Secretary is Mr. W. Mansfield.

Technical Cooperation

The cooperation between AusAID and the ILO remains limited. Most projects funded by AusAID have been completed. However, closer coordination and assistance from the Australian tripartite constituents is being sought. In particular, the ACTU has expressed its interest in developing closer collaboration with the ILO for technical assistance to the South Pacific region on trade union development, education on HIV-AIDS, and economic development towards democracy and political stability. Also, ACTU has played an important role in developing trade unions in East Timor, in collaboration with ILO/ACTRAV.

Australia has ratified six fundamental ILO conventions (C.29, C.87, C.98, C.100, C.105 and C.111).

Pending case No. 1963 concerning alleged infringements of trade union rights is before the Committee of Freedom of Association.