Contact Us

News

01/10/2008- Where God's Finger Points

Part I - THE COUNTRY (continued)

Aboriginals are British subjects and Australian citizens with the right to vote at elections. Since 1967, the Federal Government has had power concurrent with the States to legislate for Aboriginal Affairs. A council and an Office of Aboriginal Affairs have been established to advise the Federal Government on policies for Aboriginal advancement. Special funds are provided to the State by the Federal Government to supplement their programmes of advancement in education, health, housing and employment.

Yearly increase in Australia's population is about 2%. Nearly half of this is through net migration. Since July 1945, when the Federal Department of Immigration was established, Australia has been supplementing natural growth by admitting immigrants who can be readily integrated into the community. At present, about 90,000 immigrants a year are granted a permanent visa for entry into Australia. Immigrants come from all parts of the world seeking a better life in a new country.

Immigrants are granted a permanent visa on the basis of a need for a trade offered by the immigrant applying for a visa. These needs vary from time to time and current lists of approved trades are kept by the Australian Immigration Department. The Australian Immigration Department maintains centres in many countries, including the USA where application forms can be obtained for a permanent visa. It is difficult having once been denied a permanent visa to get that decision reversed. It should be noted that if a person is denied a permanent visa, he could also be denied a visitor's visa on future application. It should also be noted that a minister of religion cannot obtain a permanent visa without having a secular trade approved by the Australian Immigration Department.

For a nation of its size, Australia has a great diversity of industry. The fast growing economy gives a constant demand for workers of many kinds as well as the professional and businessmen. About 31 percent of the work force is employed in manufacturing. Australian factories produce, often for export, a wide range of goods and products. One of the most important factors for the nation's economic growth has been its capacity to make iron and steel from the vast supply of natural resources.

Compared to some countries, Australia has a low unemployment rate. The present rate is about 10%. Due to this rate, school graduates find it difficult to obtain apprenticeships in the work force. However, students leaving school are eligible for $45.00 per week for unemployment benefits. The present rate of inflation is 8.8%.

Education is compulsory between the ages five and fifteen years. The school year begins towards the end of January and ends in mid December. Three out of every four children are enrolled in State government schools where tuition is free. Others attend non government schools, mostly conducted by religious denominations.

-

There are 15 Universities in Australia and a number of Technical Colleges. Only 10% of Australian students finish the 11th and 12th grade and obtain a Higher School Certificate. A Higher School Certificate is required to obtain entry into a University. 80% of the students finish school at the end of the 10th grade and obtain a School Certificate, which is equal to the High School Diploma in the U.S.A. A School Certificate is required for most trades and professions taught in the Technical Colleges. More than half the students attending University and Technical Colleges receive a Tertiary Allowance for their financial support, which is equal to unemployment benefits.
Australia has one of the highest rates of home ownership in the world. Most Australians live in single family houses set on their own property. Very few private investors build houses for renting. Almost all new houses for renting are built by State Government authorities. Housing Commission houses can be rented for less than the private properties. However, most government housing authorities have considerable lists of applicants. Waiting periods can extend to 3 4 years depending on the area.

Freedom of religion is a fundamental principal of Australia's democracy. Australia has over 4 million Anglicans, 3 million Catholics, and 2 1/2 million members of the Uniting Church. There are also Baptist, Lutherans Church of Christ, Salvation Army, Seventh Day Adventists, and others.

The largest Pentecostal church in Australia is the Assembly of God with 30,000 members. It is estimated that there are 80,000 Pentecostal or Charismatic believers in Australia. However, it has been reported that only 4% of the Australian people attend church regularly once a month.

Australia is a country with different people coming from all parts of the world, but having the same spiritual needs. Their needs can be met through the Gospel delivered in the power of the Holy Spirit. We have a responsibility to give the people of Australia the Good News.
Look for Part II in next update.