Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands
conventional short form:
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Dependency status:
non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
Capital:
name: West Island
geographic coordinates:
12 10 S, 96 50 E
time difference:
UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (territory of Australia)
Independence:
none (territory of Australia)
National holiday:
Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
Constitution:
23 November 1955 (Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955); amended many times, last in 2010 (2010)
Legal system:
common law based on the Australian model
Suffrage:
18 years of age
[see also: Suffrage country ranks ]
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by the Australian governor general
head of government:
Administrator (nonresident) Jon STANHOPE (since 5 October 2012)
cabinet:
NA
elections:
the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Australian prime minister; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia for a two-year term and represents the monarch and Australia
Legislative branch:
unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats)
elections:
held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held in October 2011 (next to be held in October 2013)
Judicial branch:
highest court(s): under the terms of the Territorial Law Reform Act 1992, Western Australia provides court services as needed for the island including the Supreme Court and subordinate courts (District Court, Magistrate Court, Family Court, Children's Court, and Coroners' Court)
judge selection and term of office:
NA
subordinate courts:
NA
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
The Cocos Islands Youth Support Centre
International organization participation:
none
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description:
the flag of Australia is used
National anthem:
note: as a territory of Australia, "Advance Australia Fair" remains official as the national anthem, while "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see Australia)