Economic and Social Development

The commonwealth and state governments of Australia have devoted special attention to the production and marketing of main primary products. During 1970, federal and state aid was given to industries established in approved fields of manufacture. In 1974, The Export Market Development Grant Acts provided government assistance in the development of export markets. Some recipients were eligible for up to 50% reimbursement for expenses,establishing foreign markets for domestic goods. In order to provide Australian exporters with insurance and other financial services not easily available commercially and to provide insurance,in 1975 the government set up the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation against political risk. During the mid-1980s, the Australian government embarked on a basic reorientation of the economy from inward-looking import substitution industrialization to outward-looking export-led growth and liberalization. Providing the key reforms to become unilateral reduction of high tariffs and various other protective barriers; allowing the Australian dollar float; rationalizing and reducing the number of trade unions;deregulating the financial services sector;privatizing many government-owned services and public utilities,and including establishing a fully competitive electricity market. Australia's government has also become particularly interested in becoming known as an "information economy". In 2000, Australia was second in the world after the United States in PC use.

 

• Social security effective since 1908 and covers all residents
•  Old Age Pension: men (65 years of age and up) women (61.5 years of age and up) who have lived in Australia for at least 10 year
• family allowance legislation provides for weekly payments to children under 16 years of age
• In 1984, the Sex Discrimination Act bars discrimination on the basis of sex, marital status or pregnancy

 

Coal Exports
Australia has the second-highest black coal export commodity and is the worlds leading coal exporter. This country alone exports more coal than it consumes, accounting for about 28% of internationally traded coal in 1986.  Coal was discovered in Australia during the 18th century which has lead to a rapid and successful economic future for this country. Becoming a vital national resource contributing to an increase in employment as well. Resulting in an increase of over 50% during the past 10 years. Coal mining traditionally has been underground methods but as technology increases over the years, new developments such as large scale opencut mining methods have been introduced.

(Picture taken from: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/economics/australian-trade-position-slumps-into-deficit-in-february-abs/story-e6frg926-1226033990756 )

 

Race
Despite Australia's rich cultural diversity, multiple individuals experience unfair treatment and racism due to how they look or where they come from. Due to this, Australia has created the Racial Discrimination Act of 1975 which promotes equality between people of diverse backgrounds. Anyone who has faced direct or indirect discrimination by an individual can complain to the Commission where they will work in partnerships with others to help you understand your rights and meet their legal responsibilities.

Bibliography
 

"Australia - Economic development ." Encyclopedia of the Nations. http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Australia-ECONOMIC-DEVELOPMENT.html.


"Australian Human Rights Commission." About Racial Discrimination. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013.

"Australia - Social development ." Encyclopedia of the Nations. http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Australia-SOCIAL-DEVELOPMENT.html.


 "Exports." Exports. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. http://www.australiancoal.com.au/exports.html