Australian Indian Ocean Territories facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Australian Indian Ocean Territories
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Administrative unit
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Map of Christmas Island (left) and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Not to the same scale.
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| Country | Australia |
| Area | |
| • Total | 149 km2 (58 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 2,387 |
| • Density | 16.02/km2 (41.49/sq mi) |
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The Australian Indian Ocean Territories is a special area managed by the Australian government since 1995. It includes two groups of islands in the Indian Ocean that belong to Australia.
These island groups are:
- Christmas Island (10°29′06″S 105°38′10″E / 10.485°S 105.636°E), which is where the main manager, called the Administrator, lives.
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands (12°09′29″S 96°52′12″E / 12.158°S 96.870°E), where the same Administrator is also in charge, but they do not live there.
Each of these island groups has its own local council, called a shire council. These are the Shire of Christmas Island and the Shire of Cocos. These councils help manage local services for the people living on the islands.
It's important to know that this administrative area does not include the uninhabited Ashmore and Cartier Islands or Heard Island and McDonald Islands. Even though these islands are also in the Indian Ocean, they are managed separately.
How the Territories Are Managed
The Australian Indian Ocean Territories are overseen by the Australian government. This helps make sure things run smoothly for the people living there.
Looking at How Things Work
The way these territories are managed is sometimes reviewed.
- In 2004, a review was done to check how things were going.
- In 2012, Australian politicians visited the islands and looked into the administration.
Farzian Zainal is a person who represents the community. He is also the Treasurer for the Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation. This group helps with development in the area and is supported by the Australian government.
Who Are the Administrators?
The Administrator is like the main manager for the territories. They are appointed by the Australian government.
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Here is a list of the people who have been Administrators:
| No. | Name | Political party | Started work | Finished work |
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| 1 | Danny Ambrose Gillespie | N/A | 1 July 1994 | 30 June 1996 |
| 2 | Ron Harvey | N/A | 1 October 1997 | 30 October 1998 |
| 3 | Bill Taylor | Liberal | 4 February 1999 | 30 July 2003 |
| 4 | Evan Williams | N/A | 1 November 2003 | 31 October 2005 |
| 5 | Neil Lucas | Liberal | 30 January 2006 | 22 February 2008 |
| 6 | Brian Lacy | N/A | 5 October 2009 | 5 October 2012 |
| 7 | Jon Stanhope | Labor | 5 October 2012 | 5 October 2014 |
| 8 | Barry Haase | Liberal | 6 October 2014 | 4 October 2017 |
| 9 | Natasha Griggs | Liberal | 5 October 2017 | 4 October 2022 |
| – | Sarah Vandenbroek (acting) | N/A | 4 October 2022 | 18 June 2023 |
| 10 | Farzian Zainal | N/A | 19 June 2023 |
