9+-+Recommendations+for+Government

=  **Recommendations for Government**   = __ **Different types of government:** __

There are many different types of governments that have formed around the world, including: - communist - dictatorships and - democracy Dictatorship is when someone takes control of a country by force and doesn't allow elections (MacMillan Dictionary Online, 2011,para1). History has shown that these types of government do not promote equality and often use violence. Therefore this type of government would not suit Gem Island, as we want everyone to respect one another and provide a peaceful existence for everyone. The democracy that we know in Australia is one that promotoes freedom of speech and religious tolerance (Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, 2008, para 1). These are the type of values we want on Gem Island and is why we have chosen to have a democractic government. In terms of government in a democracy, the government is elected by the people, unlike dictatorships and with communism. In democratic countries, the members of parliament come up for re election - how often depends on the country. For example in Australia elections are held every three years, while in the US their presidential elections are held every four years (Wiki Answers,2011, first sentence).

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The government on Gem Island will be a democracy, where the citizens are able to vote for their canditate in an election that is held every three years and with similar values based on the democracy from Australia. All candidates in both Federal and Settlement Governments will be up for re election at this time. There will a Federal Government and Settlement Governments for each of the six settlements.


 * [|Government picture] **

The population of Gem Island is estimated to start at 5000 people. This means that each settlement will have over 800 residents to sustain and provide for. However the population will increase in the near future due to reproduction and immigration. Gem Island plans to stay as a low density population to ensure the sustainability of the residents and the environment. Therefore Gem Island would like to have a population under 8000 people. This number would ensure the Island was not over populated and could be sufficient and sustainable in production/trade, health care, education and finical security. [|population picture]
 * __Population:__ **

Gem Island will be accepting a limited amount of immigrants to increase the generic diversity of the Island. Gem Island has decided to only accept immigrants that can be useful and can contribute back to the Island. Therefore a limited amount of elderly people will be accepted. This is due to the fact Gem Island wishes to keep a low density population and only wants those that can earn there “keep”. Gem Island wishes to not have more people depleting the resources than those contributing towards them. However in saying this Gem Island will help and support their native elderly residents. The immigrants will be expected to live and abide by the way of life and laws of Gem Island, If they fail to do so they will be deported off the Island.
 * __Immigration:__**

__ **Roles and Responsibilities of Government:** __ The role of the government would be to make legislation addressing the needs and rights of the citizens of Gem Island and to oversee and address areas; of health, education, transport, infrastructure,defence and the economy. By having a government it ensures that decisions are being made and that someone has some accountability for what does or does not get done/achieved on the island. In the past, democratic governments provided they have a majority government do not need consensus from everyone in the house to pass legislation, however on Gem Island in what are considered key issues, for example introduction of new taxes, development of land/infrastructure will be put to the citizens of Gem Island to ensure that they can indeed have their say on such vital issues. Allowing the citizens to have these votes would ensure that the sustainability of the Island can be protected and that people are not being disadvantaged by the introduction of new taxes. The Settlement Governments will be responsible for maintaining their local area/settlement, ensuring that the natural environment is protected as much as possible from destruction in the name of progress. They will also be responsible for local evacuation procedures for emergency situations, the maintenance of public amenities, such as libraries, shops and parks.The settlements will work closely with one another, as well as with the Federal Government to ensure the Island is protected against any possible invasion or threat.

Legislation will be introduced to Parliament for approval and once voted on and approved will be introduced as law on Gem Island. [|Vote picture]

__ **Values:** __

The governments of Gem Island want their citizens to be able to live peacefully, respecting the rights of indviduals and groups to have their different opinions and have their opportunity to have a say as to what happens in their country through democratic elections. They want the people of Gem Island to have a sense of belonging. When the Island was first being established a key goal was for living to be sustainable, so communities will be strongly encouraged to promote and live sustainably. The Settlement Governments and Federal Government will provide funding for sustainable initiatives over less sustainable initiatives.

__**Justice system:**__ Gem Island will implement a justice system in order to ensure harmony amongst the residents and all settlements. The Island will have a number of set laws to ensure peace and safety that all residents must abide by. The laws will be decided by the residents and will face parliament in order to be passed or denied. No law will be implemented if it has not been passed. Gem Island would like to have alternative justice system and therefore will only incorporate laws that directly affect the social, mental and physical health of the residents. This means that laws such as littering will not apply and will just rely on the common decently of each resident. A court house will be set up on Gem Island in the event of someone breaking the law. The island will not host a prison and will therefore implement a boot camp style rehabilitation program. Once in court and found guilty the resident will be sentenced to an amount of time in the boot camp (pending on age and health issues). The boot camp will be an intense form of rehabilitation that will also benefit the Island. Those who have been sentenced to the program will be working on building new resources for the community (community service) as well as typical boot camp routines. Implementing this strategy would ensure offenders worked back their debt to the community. //Currency:// Gem Island will have a similar currency as the Australian one also available to citizens of Gem Island will be currencies from all over the world so trading will be made easier as the different currencies will be available to them whenever they need it. //Taxes:// Gem Island will indeed include taxes to help with the infrastructure and develop of the Community. The taxes will be taken from people who are over the age of 18, it doesn't matter whether they have a job or not because everyone is liable to pay tax. The only people who won't have to pay tax are the elderly starting at age 60 who will recieve a pension that is mainly covered by the tax payers money also by the profits of the Government and children under the age of 18 won't have to pay tax either. There will also be a small superannuation rate that will be taken out just like tax to further help the elderly so they don't feel disadvantaged when they will only have to rely on their pension. //Pay rates:// Every individual will earn the same rate per hour, so their income will be based on an hourly rate which means if the person works 2 hours in a day then they will only get paid for 2 hours. This allows everyone to feel equal and not disadvantaged, for those who don't have jobs then they will have no support unless their circumstances fall under the special consideration category, the island will have more than enough jobs for everyone to be employed. __ **[|Currency picture]** __
 * __[|Justice picture]__**
 * __Currency: ﻿ [[image:BankNote_1008.jpg width="192" height="138" align="right"]] __**

__ **Decisions:** __

Due to the unrest that is currently occuring on the Island regarding the issues of; education, health and shops and how settlements other than the port are feeling neglected, it has been decided that money gained from taxes and income from trade will be distrubted amongst the settlements from the Federal Government. This is to ensure that citzens know that they are getting the same high standard of medical attention and education as other settlements on the Island and to ensure that all citzens know that they are a valued part of the community. The Settlement Governments will be required to submit proposals to the Federal Government regarding what upgrades they need and the cost of these upgrades. As the global economy is still fragile we do not want to spend more than we have and approved proposals will be expected to work within their allocated budget.