Southeast Asia > Cocos (Keeling) Islands > Government

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Administrative divisions none (territory of Australia)
Capital city	West Island
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	12 10 S, 96 50 E
Capital city > Time difference UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Dependency status non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Attorney-General's Department
Executive branch > Chief of state Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by the Australian governor general
Executive branch > Elections the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
Executive branch > Head of government Administrator (nonresident) Neil LUCAS (since 30 January 2006)
Flag description the flag of Australia is used
Independence none (territory of Australia)
International organization participation	none
Judicial branch Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court
Legal system based upon the laws of Australia and local laws
Legislative branch unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats)
Legislative branch > Elections held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held in May 2007 (next to be held in May 2009)
National holiday Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
Political parties and leaders	none
Political pressure groups and leaders The Cocos Islands Youth Support Centre
Status dependent democracy
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International	none

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