Christmas Island Government
Country nameconventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island
conventional short form: Christmas Island
Government type
NA
Capital
The Settlement
Administrative divisions
none (territory of Australia)
Independence
none (territory of Australia)
National holiday
Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
Constitution
NA
Legal system
under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law
Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general
head of government: Administrator Evan WILLIAMS (since 1 November 2003)
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
Legislative branch
unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held 3 May 2003 (next to be held NA 2005)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9
Judicial branch
Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court
Political parties and leaders
none
Political pressure groups and leaders
none
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; note - in early 1986, the Christmas Island Assembly held a design competition for an island flag, however, the winning design has never been formally adopted as the official flag of the territory
