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Australia in the Commonwealth

did you know?

  • Australia was a founder member of the Commonwealth in 1931 when its independence was recognised under the Statute of Westminster
  • Australia has been competing in the Commonwealth Games since 1930, and has won an impressive 1906 medals
  • It is one of 28 island nations in the association; the mainland of Australia is the largest island in the world
  • Malcolm Fraser, Prime Minister of Australia 1975-83, delivered the 2nd Annual Commonwealth Lecture on 'Globalisation and the Nation State' in 1999
  • Of the many internationally acclaimed Australian writers, seven have won Commonwealth Writers' Prizes, six for Best Book and one for Best First Book

Senior Commonwealth officers

  • Matthew Neuhaus, former Director of Political Affairs, Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Michael Hooper, Chief Executive, Commonwealth Games Federation
  • Lynelle Briggs, President, Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management
  • Ron Heinrich, President, Commonwealth Lawyers Association

Commonwealth meetings hosted

  • 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth
  • 1971 Fifth Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers in Canberra
  • 1981 CHOGM in Melbourne
  • 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane
  • 2002 CHOGM in Coolum
  • 2006 First Ministers Forum on Public-sector Development in Sydney


Commonwealth Secretariat
   


Australia Organisations, International Organisation, Commonwealth

International Organisation

The WTO is the primary vehicle for Australia to advance its trade and market access interests. There are currently 151 countries that are members of the WTO.


Australia Organisations, Health, Commonwealth

Health

Heart Foundation's function is to reduce suffering and death from heart, stroke and blood vessel disease in Australia.