Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2014/15 211 KEY FACTS Joined Commonwealth: 1968 Population: 10,000 (2013) Official language: English Time: GMT plus 12 hrs Currency: Australian dollar (A$) Geography Area: 21.3 sq km Coastline: 30 km Nauru is a small island in the western Pacific Ocean. Constitution Status: Republic with executive President Legislature: Parliament of Nauru Independence: 31 January 1968 The constitution of the Republic of Nauru came into force in January 1968. It provides for a unicameral parliament whose 19 members – increased from 18 in July 2010 – are elected by universal adult suffrage in multi-seat constituencies. Voting is compulsory for all Nauruans over the age of 20. It is mandatory for a parliamentary general election to be held not less than once every three years. The President is the head of state and of government, and is elected by the parliament from among its members. Executive authority is vested in the cabinet, which consists of the President and four or five members of the parliament chosen by the President. The cabinet is collectively responsible to parliament. The parliament also elects a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker. The 19 members of parliament represent eight constituencies. The number of representatives for each constituency is determined on the basis of population numbers. The constitution protects fundamental rights and freedoms. There is a treasury fund from which monies may be taken by appropriation acts. A public service is provided for and the chief secretary is the public service commissioner. Special mention is made in the constitution of the allocation of profits and royalties from the sale of phosphate. Judicial system Supreme court: Supreme Court Ministry: Justice The constitution protects fundamental rights and freedoms. The Supreme Court is presided over by the chief justice, and has original and appellate jurisdiction. The District Court, which hears civil and criminal cases and acts as the coroner, and the Family Court are both chaired by the magistrate. Government and politics Last elections: 8 June 2013 Next elections: 2016 Head of state: President Baron Waqa Head of government: The President Ruling party: No party system Women MPs: 5% By 2003 the country faced a severe financial crisis. The government was unable to pay salaries and was under pressure from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries to regulate offshore banking and stop money laundering. Following elections in May 2003 – the first after the formation of the Nauru First party – the three presidential candidates were each supported by six members and there were no candidates for the post of Speaker; it was three weeks before the Nauru First members gave their support to Ludwig Scotty. However, he retained the confidence of the MPs only until August 2003, when parliament chose former President René Harris to be President. In September 2004 Scotty was again elected to the presidency and an early general election was held in October 2004, observed by a joint Pacific Islands Forum/Commonwealth observer mission. The new parliament then elected Scotty, unopposed, as President. Nauru
CEP template 2012
To see the actual publication please follow the link above