Western Australia

Western Australia is Australia's largest state, covering the westernmost third of the mainland, bordering South Australia and the Northern Territory.

The state capital is the city of Perth (population 1.3 million) on the south-western coastline, in whose metropolitan area a majority of the state's residents reside. Other centers include Kalgoorlie, Broome, Bunbury and Albany but they are really only medium-sized towns. The south-west coastal area is relatively temperate and forested, while the rest of the state is arid and lightly inhabited, becoming steadily warmer on its northern and north-western coastline.

Western Australia's economy is supported primarily by various mining industries, as well as some agriculture (notably large-scale beef farming) and forestry in the south-west.

The people of Western Australia are represented in a State Parliament located in the State capital city, Perth. This Parliament consists of two houses, the Legislative Assembly, often referred to as the lower House, and the Legislative Council, the upper House.

The party or coalition of parties holding a majority of seats in the lower house of Parliament forms the Government of Western Australia, and the leader of this party (or of the largest party in the coalition) becomes the Premier of Western Australia. The current Premier of Western Australia is Geoff Gallup, the state leader of the Australian Labor Party.

The Queen of Australia, Queen Elizabeth II, is represented in Western Australia by a Governor, currently John Sanderson. Acting in a largely ceremonial position, the Governor acts to approve legislation which has passed through Parliament. The Governor lives in the beautiful Government House in the heart of Perth City, surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Outside Links:

• Official Western Australia site: http://www.wa.gov.au/
• Parliament House Western Australia: http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/
• Government House Web Site: http://www.govhouse.wa.gov.au/