Talk:Australia

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incorrect climate map

The climate map is missing the temperate zone in the southwest of Western Australia, it currently incorrectly shows it as being subtropical

Here is a link to the original map showing the complete southwest section of WA. http://www-cluster.bom.gov.au/climate/environ/other/kpn_group.shtml — Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.45.142.73 (talk • contribs) 17:49, 10 December 2011 (UTC)

Number of years of compulsory eduction

After a relevant edit and reversion the article now says "All children receive eleven years of compulsory education from the age of 6 to 16 (Year Prep/Kindergarten to 10)", however this does not agree with the cited ref which says that prep/kindergarten is not compulsory - ie the compulsory years are 1 to 10 (ie "ten years of compulsory eduction"). Unfortunately the ref doesn't actually say that it's compulsory up to year 10. I think the matter may be complicated by the fact that:

• Pre-primary may be compulsory in some states but not others
• It's possible that the rules may be changing (in the recent past or near future), and that the cited ref is out of date
• It may be necessary to be at school until a particular age, rather than the end of year 10
• For some ages (approx 16-17) it may be compulsory to be at school or in some approved training (ref for WA)(which I guess we can call "education" so this point may be irrelevant)

The above points are based purely on my recollection of the rules - obviously we need to find appropriate current references with the current rules. Mitch Ames (talk) 02:55, 18 December 2011 (UTC)

Here's probably a good start for references (if you can wade through all the government spin and self-congratulation!). Mitch Ames (talk) 02:59, 18 December 2011 (UTC)

Example of rules changing: Pre-primary will become compulsory in WA in 2013. Mitch Ames (talk) 03:05, 18 December 2011 (UTC)

Yes, you're right. This area is problematic for two main reasons. Different rules in different states, plus some recent (and probably near future) changes (at both ends of the age ranges). Given that these rules are state decisions, it's wrong for the article to try to describe a national state of affairs. There is really no such thing. HiLo48 (talk) 10:42, 18 December 2011 (UTC)

I've re-written the first paragraph or two to reflect the apparent reality. I don't actually like what I've written (it's too vague), but I think it's more correct than what was there before. With any luck someone will tidy it up a bit so that it reads a bit better. I actually think it might be better to just say "School attendance is compulsory throughout Australia." and leave it at that - and let Education in Australia worry about the details. Mitch Ames (talk) 12:09, 18 December 2011 (UTC)

Environment section needs updating

Perhaps I am reading it wrong, but the Environment section appears to refer to the Rudd Ministry in the present tense. It also does not mention what the Gillard Government has done in terms of Greenhouse gas emission legislation. I think this section needs an update.

It also refers to Water Restrictions due to drought, however I think these have been partially lifted.

— Preceding unsigned comment added by Luckydog429 (talk • contribs) 08:25, 29 December 2011 (UTC) 

I've tweaked the wording slightly to remove the present tense, but more significant rewording is probably required. Perhaps "Rudd Ministry" should be changed to "Labor government", but which Labor govt? - We probably need to qualify it with a year or 42nd Parliament of Australia. Mitch Ames (talk) 09:53, 29 December 2011 (UTC)

Australia Royal National Anthem

I'm trying to add it, but there was an issue: |royal_anthem =

"God Save the Queen

Twillisjr (talk) 20:10, 8 January 2012 (UTC)

aboriginal archaeological history

This page needs updating as the general archaeological evidence for aboriginal habitation goes back at least 66,000 years and the possibilty of a further 10-20,000 yrs has support. Recent genetic research shows the aboriginal types (gracile/robustus), to have separated from the "african root" of humanity before its spread to the european/asian continent. There was a claim of human "rock pitting"/art in the Kimberley in the 1990's of 110,000-120,000 yrs ago, but this claim has been dismissed as being "too" old to be acceptable. By now - 2012, newer researh is supporting these claims and is fairly easy to track down.

This subject should be of major significance globally as the Aboriginal culture is by far the oldest continual culture known.

The deplorable treatment by non-indigenous "Australians" and especially the Government should be taken up by the United Nations as a situation of utmost importance and pressure brought to bear on said government to finally get real about this cultural genocide.

How the traditional owners of this land have not to any great degree retaliated as almost all other cultures have done worldwide under similar circumstances, is beyond me. I can only guess that they are so demoralized by their repression, they find it hard to envisage any action on their part as being successful. With newer generations of non-indigenous people populating this country that incorporate less racist attitudes, and further indigenous education, perhaps a glimmer of a future can be detected, but it had better happen soon or their will only be dust to study.

Hopefully I've not overstepped the bounds of this site causing this page to be deleted, signed, Kram — Preceding unsigned comment added by 138.130.73.157 (talk) 04:06, 6 February 2012 (UTC)

Much of your post is forum style material, and not appropriate here, but in response to your comment on Aboriginal archaeology, if you can find reliable sources that can be cited in the article it is possibly valuable comment. Do you know of such sources? HiLo48 (talk) 07:20, 6 February 2012 (UTC)