Week+4+Mission

= **Government Recommendations** =

**What is the role of government in representing the people?** Government is the way which the Islands policies will be enforced, as well as deciding what is and what is not important, whilst including the habitants of the land. The Islands type of government will be a democratic government which confirms that the main role of the government in representing the people is to ensure that the island has a number of ways in which people have a voice. To make this possible each settlement will have a chosen representative in which will be elected from a number of running candidates, allowing them to pass on messages, and report back to the government on the positives, negatives and anything in which they believe may need to be considered.It had been discussed that the leaders of each settlement will take on the responsibility to work with the members of their community to ensure that the understanding of the peoples needs and how they can best help them will be taken into consideration by the Islands government. Also the government will decide what kind of services and benefits it will provide at all levels, and if these benefits will cost and if so how they will be paid for.

The Island will consist of one main level of government with a leader whom will be chosen by the people of all settlement, however each settlement will have an elected representative whom in which's job is to ensure that each and every person is taken into consideration when making decisions. Each representative has a role of representing the peoples views based on the island when it comes to laws, taxes, housing etc.
 * Does the Island need more than one level of government? **

The governments main functions will be to:
 * What are its functions and what services does it provide? **
 * to provide representation for the people
 * to create and practise laws which have been agreed upon
 * to approve the supply funding for the Island
 * to provide and follow through with the freedom act

The government will provide a number of services to each settlement as there has recently been a bit of a debate between fairness and the distribution of services equally. According to the habitants of the Island, they believe that the port possesses most of the good things such as schools, shops and hospitals. To solve these issues the following will be done. First of all the government will provide the Island with its laws and defence, ensuring to protect the land to the best of their ability. When it comes to currency we will be working in dollars as the United Nations have agreed upon with the Island after a long and tiring discussion. Each settlement will have a school as it is important for everyone to have the right to learn, if not then the government is not doing its job properly as the main functions are not met. Each settlement will also be provided with a small but important health care clinic all with a doctors, nurses, and midwives. Although there will only be one main hospital based on the Islands port for the worst case scenarios. The reason being is it is there that medical supplies and materials can be accessed the fastest and in many cases, time is vital, and also it is important that the Island is sustainable. There has been a lot of talk about shops, and the government is still further looking into their options, however there has been talk about having two main shopping centres on the Island, one on each side allowing settlements from the somewhat secluded part of the island to have easier access to them. This to is to ensure that we do not take advantage of the land and keep a lot of its natural state. There will be a variety of parks scattered throughout the whole of the Island including out of bounds, sacred land, to simply ensure that the animals and plants are not put in any situation in which could danger them. All of the above services will not only benefit each settlement, but a number of individuals in particular as they will produce a large number of the jobs on the Island.

** How does parliament make laws? What laws does the Island need? ** Firstly, the government will begin with a number of laws from other countries based on their success rate and requested research and data. Some laws in which will be enforced are through the results of success in other countries are:
 * The Freedom Act in which was extracted from the Swedish government, this allows the people of the land to view the laws and legislations, and also have a say. This will improve our representation of the people.
 * Everyone on the Island has equal rights, and the right to vote.
 * There is freedom of religious worship
 * Common crimes such as theft, assault, intoxication will result in punishment, as will major crimes; for example murder, rape, kidnapping all punishments vary depending on the specific crime.
 * Crimes will be put to trial
 * No death penalty on the Island
 * Taxes must be paid (how much is still to be discussed, however an estimation of $5 a week or $20 a month is a reasonable amount payable).
 * Citizenship must be attained within two months of arrival, other wise risk being deported

As of yet, there are no laws on the number of immigrants aloud onto the Island although, it is certain that a the Island must stay sustainable and a large population jeopardises that, meaning a conclusion needs to be made here. Another similar issue is the number of children that each family is aloud, as the Island is still a growing community however, it is strongly suggested that in the near future this topic is adjourned.

** What are the key tasks of a member of parliament or councillor? ** The key tasks of a member of parliament are as follows:
 * A member is expected to be a spokes person for the local settlements and their interests, and concerns
 * To inform their specific settlement of what informed about their, and the governments activities and decisions
 * A law maker; look into laws are they working?
 * Look into funds and the way in which the government is spending. Is it fair, equal, worthy? For example taxes
 * A representative of the people, meaning they are in charge of raising issues within the government in which people have passed on to them
 * exercising community leadership
 * Looking after, and caring for the environment of the area for which they are responsible for, in a way that is promotes the sustainable development and lifestyles.
 * raising funds for local purposes to help settlements
 * Follow and abide by all of the above


 * These questions are based on an assumption that we have a democracy on The Island. **** Is this a reasonable assumption? **
 * What other forms of government might be considered? **
 * What are the values of democracy, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship? **

The assumption that The Island runs a democracy is a reasonable assumption because a democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but which is usually exercised indirectly through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed (indexmundi.com, 2011). This is an important role of the government when it comes to representing the people.

Some other forms of government which may be considered for the Island are: **Commonwealth** - a nation, state, or other political entity founded on law and united by a compact of the people for the common good. **Parliamentary monarchy** - a state headed by a monarch who is not actively involved in policy formation or implementation (i.e., the exercise of sovereign powers by a monarch in a ceremonial capacity); true governmental leadership is carried out by a cabinet and its head - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor - who are drawn from a legislature (parliament). **Federal republic** - a state in which the powers of the central government are restricted and in which the component parts (states, colonies, or provinces) retain a degree of self-government; ultimate sovereign power rests with the voters who chose their governmental representatives. **Democratic republic** - a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them. **Confederacy (Confederation)** - a union by compact or treaty between states, provinces, or territories, that creates a central government with limited powers; the constituent entities retain supreme authority over all matters except those delegated to the central government. (indexmundi.com, 2011)

The rights and responsibilities of citizenship are much like those of many other countries, as we strongly believe in their reasoning behind them. The responsibilities of a citizen of The Island are that you must obey the laws, defend The Island if needed, and vote in terms of government. Rights that you receive by being a citizen are the freedom act, rights to speak, apply for work, settle on The Island.

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__Water police__- the water police will be in place to enforce fishing laws, to ensure that the waters around the island are not over fished. The water would also be responsible in dealing with immigrants. There should be a law put in place to deal with any immigration factors, as this may become apparent in the future. =====

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__Army/Navy__- it should be taken into consideration if a defence force will be trained to protect the island in an emergency. The defence force will not only be used against invasion, but will also be trained for relief efforts if there are natural disasters such as flooding, volcanic eruptions and fierce storms. =====

Taxes
The island government will need to discuss and deliberate what tax system would work best for them. The money which is collected as tax will be used towards offering the following services to the citizens of The Island: A taxation office will need to be set up to organise and monitor tax services.
 * Health
 * Education
 * Defence
 * Roads, and transport systems
 * Social security and other payments to individuals/families

** Questions which surround the issue are: **
**//Who will pay taxes?//** Workers, business owners, home owners will be paying tax as they will be earning money. **//Will we have a social security system//**, like that of Centerlink Australia, which can offer financial support to individuals and families for a number of reasons? Age- pension, Disabilities, educational status – Youth Allowance etc. **//Would introducing a tax system, mean the island will need to develop a banking system//.** **//Will the island adopt a superannuation system//?** Based on the Australian system if you earn over $450 in a calendared month, your employee will need to contribute an extra amount equal to 9% in to a pension fund. **//Will carbon taxes be introduced//**? And other taxes which are related to the over-use of natural resources?