Nauru has a volatile political history, with over 36 changes of government since independence in 1968, with 17 changes of administration between 1989 and 2003. In 1997 there were four different presidents in as many months. Following seven years of discussion and negotiation, the country held its first ever constitutional referendum on 27 February 2010 in a bid to change the system and structures of government. Notably, the Constitution of Nauru (Referendum Amendments) Bill 2009 sought to change to a directly elected president (instead of one chosen by parliament), clarify the roles of the President and Cabinet and to provide stronger mechanisms for ensuring stability and continuity of government. In total there were 34 proposed changes to the Constitution with voters given the option of a 'yes' or 'no' vote for the entire package of changes. Voter turnout was reportedly high (78%) with the proposed amendments to the Constitution rejected by majority of almost two thirds. The Constitutional Review Committee (a Standing Committee of Parliament, which existed from December 2006 to February 2007 for the purpose of making recommendations regarding constitutional amendments) met following the referendum and resolved to conduct a survey to better understand the reasons for the failure of the referendum, and assess attempting a second referendum on some or all of the proposed referendum amendments. Not every change to the Constitution required approval by referendum. In August 2009 the parliament passed the Constitution of Nauru (Parliamentary Amendments) Act 2009 (which will not commence until amended, to remove cross-references to provisions that would have been in the Constitution had the referendum succeeded). The Act introduces a number of constitutional changes including: a Speaker of Parliament who is a non-member; the addition of an extra member of Parliament, making court appeals more accessible by removing the need for Nauru citizens to appeal decisions to the High Court of Australia; tightening accounting controls on public spending; the introduction of a code of leadership for MPs and public officials and the creation of an ombudsman’s office. The bill also contained provisions for a new public service commission, however this was removed by the Committee of the Whole and was not included in the approved Act.Nauru is an independent parliamentary representative democratic republic with an 18 member unicameral parliament. Independence was gained on 31 January 1968 from the Australia, New Zealand and British administered United Nations trusteeship.

Vision

"Partnership for Quality of Life"

National Goals ^[6]

Labour market‚ Formal sector

Nauru was annexed by Germany in 1888 and its phosphate deposits began to be mined early in the 20th century by a German-British consortium. Nauru was occupied by Australian forces in World War I and subsequently became a League of Nations mandate. The Second World War had a major bearing on the history of Nauru. In 1942, the Japanese invaded, and deported approximately two-thirds of the population. After the war, Nauru became a UN trust territory until it achieved independence in 1968. Despite, or because of this chequered history, national identity remains very strong. All Nauruans are registered at birth under their mother's clan. Failure to register a child as Nauruan eliminates that person from the entitlements of being Nauruan, particularly access to land rights, and to shares in phosphate revenue. All land in Nauru is held under traditional ownership. Even prior to the discovery and working of the phosphate deposits, ownership of land was an all important matter. Since the late 1920's land ownership has been determined by the Nauru Lands Committee, although this body was only given legislative backing in 1956. The determination of land ownership before the creation of the committee was undertaken by the Chiefs whose decision could be appealed to the colonial Administrator. Today land is governed under the Lands Act 1976. Under the Customs and Adopted Laws Act, customary law is part of the law of Nauru, but is subordinate to legislation. Informal social control is still maintained within Nauruan families, but formal control rests with the Nauru police force and the judiciary.

There is no independent media in Nauru.

The Constitution and laws of Nauru do not establish a national defence force. Australia provides for the country's defence under an informal arrangement. Nauru does maintain a small national police force (approximately 100 regular members and a 'protection and guarding unti' of 160 members who provide security for key government infrastructure and are available during emergencies). Regional cooperation efforts exist in monitoring and surveillance for fisheries, including assistance from Australia and New Zealand. Nauru has provided police officers to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands since July 2003. The Australian Government provides support to the Nauru Police Force through the Australian Federal Police, and is supporting a review of the criminal code. The Government of New Zealand provides significant support to the judiciary and Ministry of Justice.

Official transfers from donors make up around 50 percent of the national budget, although some aid flows are not reflected in the budget. Nauru receives support from numerous donors and development partners, most prominently Australia, the Asian Development Bank, Japan, the European Union, Taiwan, New Zealand, United States, and regional and international organisations, including United Nations agencies. Ongoing programs support a wide range of governance and public sector reforms and capacity development. Australia's ongoing development programs are the most extensive and are guided by the Nauru–Australia Partnership for Development. Under the partnership, Australia helps Nauru to progress various aspects of the NSDS with a particular focus on faster progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.