09-11-2003, 04:29
(This is a work in progress)
General
Name (Long Form): The Dominion of New Hopetoun
Name (Short Form): New Hoptoun
Name (Local Long Form): Daminyan Niu Hoepton
Name (Local Short Form): Niu Hoepton/Hoepton
International Abbreviation: NHT
Nationality: Hopetounese (Hopetouner is also used)
Language: English is taught in schools, as well as the local Pidgin. Native languages are also widely spoken.
Political
Capital City: Port Jackson
Government Style: Multi-Party Parliamentary Democracy
Administrative Divisions: Divided into a series of Provinces, each with their own Governor
Government
Executive Branch:
Authority is vested in the Prime Minister, traditionally the leader of the largest single party in the Parliament. Prime Minister presides over a Cabinet consisting of senior government members. Parliamentary interaction is governed by the Westminster traditions.
Legislative Branch:
There is a 105-member National Parliament (Nashunal Parlimen) with members elected for a maximum of 5 year terms. Parliament is unicameral.
Judicial Branch:
Each province has its own Provincial Court, from which appeals can be made to the Supreme Court located in Port Jackson. Supreme Court Justices (5) are appointed by the Attorney-General's Department. Fixed retirement age for Justices is 70. Many criminal and civil matters are dealt with at a tribal level without any recourse to formal legal procedure.
Current Government:
Following the recently-completed election, Sir Josiah Rasmussen was sworn in as Prime Minister to lead a coalition of broadly-based Left and Centre parties. The major Opposition party is the Rationalist Party, led by former Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Awari.
Party discipline is somewhat lax, due to the problems of political corruption. The first-past-the-post electoral system encourages politicians to think in the short term - as approximately 80% do not achieve re-election.
Industry
Major industries in New Hopetoun are Tourism, Mining and (recently) Oil extraction. The government maintains a very tight rein over natural resources, and it is not uncommon to see mining and oil firms dominated by MPs and ex-MPs at an executive level.
Current Issues
New Hopetoun is still a developing nation, with the attendant problems that this status brings. A workforce heavily structured towards subsistence agriculture (some 90% of the nation is officially unemployed) is known to be one of the root causes for the emigration of many talented young Hopetounese to nearby nations for education and work opportunities. Many towns report something of a breakdown in law and order with gangs known locally as "Huligans" looting and terrorising the populace. As a result, most expatriate workers live in secure compounds - especially in and around Port Jackson.
Corruption is a serious problem. Much of this is due to the "Waanspik" system of clan and tribe loyalty. New Hopetoun's borders contain, at rough estimate, some 200 individual language and cultural groupings with their own enmities and allegiances. Resolving the issue of loyalties is seen as one of the major hurdles to progress.
Coming to New Hopetoun
Travel to New Hopetoun is generally done by air - with the major airport being located at Port Jackson. Most major towns have airstrips which are suited to light planes and helicopters. Travel within the Hopetounese borders is also predominantly by air due to the rugged terrain.
Tourists require a visa to enter and must display evidence of an intended return trip in order to acquire a tourist visa. Migrant and expat workers are also welcome, but must provide evidence of their employment. Many of these requirements are waived for bona fide cultural and sporting events.
Culture
As mentioned previously, the Hopetounese are divided into many different linguistic and cultural groupings. As such, a meaningful survey of tribal cultures is largely impossible. The modern Hopetounese culture - especially in the major towns - is very friendly and outgoing. Hopetounese are renowned hosts and particularly adept cooks, also enjoying outdoors activities such as competitive sport. While most sports are organised on an amateur or club-based scale, semi-professional leagues exist for most codes of football (Rugby League, Rugby Union, Soccer, Australian Football) and also for cricket. Rugby Union and cricket are also played on a professional basis in the major towns.
A visitor to New Hopetoun should remember that most Hopetounese will shake hands readily but not make eye contact. This is a sign of respect and should be reciprocated. In addition, where a local introduces him or herself with both a first name and a surname, the appropriate title (e.g. "Mr") and the surname should be used until otherwise notified. Where only a first name is used, this is a sign of friendliness and should be reciprocated by the guest.
Hopetounese are very religious and most identify with a charismatic brand of Christianity. Thus, most official engagements will be opened with a prayer delivered in local Pidgin (where appropriate). Most businesses will also close on Sundays for religious observances.
General
Name (Long Form): The Dominion of New Hopetoun
Name (Short Form): New Hoptoun
Name (Local Long Form): Daminyan Niu Hoepton
Name (Local Short Form): Niu Hoepton/Hoepton
International Abbreviation: NHT
Nationality: Hopetounese (Hopetouner is also used)
Language: English is taught in schools, as well as the local Pidgin. Native languages are also widely spoken.
Political
Capital City: Port Jackson
Government Style: Multi-Party Parliamentary Democracy
Administrative Divisions: Divided into a series of Provinces, each with their own Governor
Government
Executive Branch:
Authority is vested in the Prime Minister, traditionally the leader of the largest single party in the Parliament. Prime Minister presides over a Cabinet consisting of senior government members. Parliamentary interaction is governed by the Westminster traditions.
Legislative Branch:
There is a 105-member National Parliament (Nashunal Parlimen) with members elected for a maximum of 5 year terms. Parliament is unicameral.
Judicial Branch:
Each province has its own Provincial Court, from which appeals can be made to the Supreme Court located in Port Jackson. Supreme Court Justices (5) are appointed by the Attorney-General's Department. Fixed retirement age for Justices is 70. Many criminal and civil matters are dealt with at a tribal level without any recourse to formal legal procedure.
Current Government:
Following the recently-completed election, Sir Josiah Rasmussen was sworn in as Prime Minister to lead a coalition of broadly-based Left and Centre parties. The major Opposition party is the Rationalist Party, led by former Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Awari.
Party discipline is somewhat lax, due to the problems of political corruption. The first-past-the-post electoral system encourages politicians to think in the short term - as approximately 80% do not achieve re-election.
Industry
Major industries in New Hopetoun are Tourism, Mining and (recently) Oil extraction. The government maintains a very tight rein over natural resources, and it is not uncommon to see mining and oil firms dominated by MPs and ex-MPs at an executive level.
Current Issues
New Hopetoun is still a developing nation, with the attendant problems that this status brings. A workforce heavily structured towards subsistence agriculture (some 90% of the nation is officially unemployed) is known to be one of the root causes for the emigration of many talented young Hopetounese to nearby nations for education and work opportunities. Many towns report something of a breakdown in law and order with gangs known locally as "Huligans" looting and terrorising the populace. As a result, most expatriate workers live in secure compounds - especially in and around Port Jackson.
Corruption is a serious problem. Much of this is due to the "Waanspik" system of clan and tribe loyalty. New Hopetoun's borders contain, at rough estimate, some 200 individual language and cultural groupings with their own enmities and allegiances. Resolving the issue of loyalties is seen as one of the major hurdles to progress.
Coming to New Hopetoun
Travel to New Hopetoun is generally done by air - with the major airport being located at Port Jackson. Most major towns have airstrips which are suited to light planes and helicopters. Travel within the Hopetounese borders is also predominantly by air due to the rugged terrain.
Tourists require a visa to enter and must display evidence of an intended return trip in order to acquire a tourist visa. Migrant and expat workers are also welcome, but must provide evidence of their employment. Many of these requirements are waived for bona fide cultural and sporting events.
Culture
As mentioned previously, the Hopetounese are divided into many different linguistic and cultural groupings. As such, a meaningful survey of tribal cultures is largely impossible. The modern Hopetounese culture - especially in the major towns - is very friendly and outgoing. Hopetounese are renowned hosts and particularly adept cooks, also enjoying outdoors activities such as competitive sport. While most sports are organised on an amateur or club-based scale, semi-professional leagues exist for most codes of football (Rugby League, Rugby Union, Soccer, Australian Football) and also for cricket. Rugby Union and cricket are also played on a professional basis in the major towns.
A visitor to New Hopetoun should remember that most Hopetounese will shake hands readily but not make eye contact. This is a sign of respect and should be reciprocated. In addition, where a local introduces him or herself with both a first name and a surname, the appropriate title (e.g. "Mr") and the surname should be used until otherwise notified. Where only a first name is used, this is a sign of friendliness and should be reciprocated by the guest.
Hopetounese are very religious and most identify with a charismatic brand of Christianity. Thus, most official engagements will be opened with a prayer delivered in local Pidgin (where appropriate). Most businesses will also close on Sundays for religious observances.