The Australian Accounting System
Introduction
Australia, an island continent, located entirely in the Southern hemisphere, is one of the largest countries in the world. Like the United States, it is still a young and constantly evolving nation. Originally being a penal colony, part of the British Empire, Australia has grown into an essentially independent country and has proven to be a solid force in both the world economy and in the field of accounting.
• History and Federal structure
The isle of Australia was discovered in 1522 by British explorers and was originally called New Holland. It was designated by the British government to be a penal colony. The name was changed to Australia in 1817 and in the 1809 settlement ceased to be a penal colony. Independence from the British Empire was attained in 1901 although Australia still recognizes the British monarch as the head of state. In March 1986, the Australia act abolished any remaining control of the country by British parliament. A referendum to dissolve the relationship with the British Monarchy was introduced and defeated in 1999. This would have made Australia a totally independent nation rather than a commonwealth of Britain. It comprises the former British colonies of New South Wales (which became self-governing in 1855), Victoria (1855), Tasmania (1856), South Australia (1856, including the Northern Territories), Queensland (1859), and Western Australia (1890). These one-time colonies became states within a federation as the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, created by a British Act of Parliament. Now the British Monarchy is merely a figurehead in Australian politics. An appointed Governor ' General represents the monarchy but has little actual power. The country is a parliamentary democracy whose legislative branch is made up of an elected Senate and House of Representatives. The executive branch consists of a Cabinet and a Prime Minister. Similar to the United States, state and local municipalities retain much of the actual
Australia, an island continent, located entirely in the Southern hemisphere, is one of the largest countries in the world. Like the United States, it is still a young and constantly evolving nation. Originally being a penal colony, part of the British Empire, Australia has grown into an essentially independent country and has proven to be a solid force in both the world economy and in the field of accounting.
• History and Federal structure
The isle of Australia was discovered in 1522 by British explorers and was originally called New Holland. It was designated by the British government to be a penal colony. The name was changed to Australia in 1817 and in the 1809 settlement ceased to be a penal colony. Independence from the British Empire was attained in 1901 although Australia still recognizes the British monarch as the head of state. In March 1986, the Australia act abolished any remaining control of the country by British parliament. A referendum to dissolve the relationship with the British Monarchy was introduced and defeated in 1999. This would have made Australia a totally independent nation rather than a commonwealth of Britain. It comprises the former British colonies of New South Wales (which became self-governing in 1855), Victoria (1855), Tasmania (1856), South Australia (1856, including the Northern Territories), Queensland (1859), and Western Australia (1890). These one-time colonies became states within a federation as the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, created by a British Act of Parliament. Now the British Monarchy is merely a figurehead in Australian politics. An appointed Governor ' General represents the monarchy but has little actual power. The country is a parliamentary democracy whose legislative branch is made up of an elected Senate and House of Representatives. The executive branch consists of a Cabinet and a Prime Minister. Similar to the United States, state and local municipalities retain much of the actual
References: 3. P. Collett, J.M. Godfrey, and S. Hrasky, “International harmonisation: Cautions from the Australian experience”, Accounting Horizons, June, 2001. 4. Craig Deegan “Australian Financial Accounting” 3rd edition; Mc Graw Hill, 2003 5