A New Nation
To an American, Australia is still very much an unformed country after 200 years -- more like a colony or new nation. Many have quipped that it is a 'banana republic', but that denigrates the achievements and role of this small, English-speaking nation on the world stage.
Constitutionally and in its judiciary, Australia seems locked in uncertainty and confusion. Every other English-speaking democracy, even small New Zealand, offers constitutional guarantees of civil and human rights. The UN annual review of nations only allows that Australia "seems to implement its laws in a fashion" to guarantee civil and human rights.
