Australia (1983: Doomsday)

The Commonwealth of Australia is one of the four integral territories of the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand. It is, officially, an independent, sovereign nation in association with the ANZC, politically independent while militarily and economically a willing, and active participant in the ANZC, in a fashion similar to the former four countries of the United Kingdom.

In many ways, Australia is the backbone of the entire Commonwealth, and the most important member both economically and politically.

Canberra is the capital of Australia. Julia Gillard, the leader of the Labor Party of Australia, is the current Prime Minister.

Pre-Doomsday
See this for all events before 1983.

Post-Doomsday
The nuclear explosions over Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney had ramifications in themselves, certainly. The fact that those areas were the only ones bombed on Doomsday turned out favorably for Australia and the Commonwealth.

Brisbane, in Queensland, and Adelaide, in South Australia, along with the capital of Canberra became the largest and most important cities in the nation. Canberra's survival meant the federal government had survived intact and could most effectively direct the recovery of the nation.

Brisbane and Adelaide would become Australia's new economic and business centres; also, Brisbane's Darling Downs was able to process exports of grain and livestock from western Australia that were vital to feeding the country.

Newcastle was close enough to Sydney, but far enough away from the bomb that destroyed Sydney that it not only survived intact, but was able to contribute in numerous ways. One was as the relief centre for Sydney survivors. Another was its port and industry (including its steel works) were intact, and therefore of vital importance to the country.

Another major factor that turned out favorably for Australia was that, outside of damage to bases from the Melbourne/Perth/Sydney blasts, none of its military bases were hit.

In fact, RAAF Pearce northwest of Perth proved vital in restoring and maintaining order in the region after Doomsday.

The present day
Australia, part of the broader Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand, is one of the most powerful "countries" in the world. Nevertheless, it faces challenges, at home and abroad.

One such challenge is the problem of the irradiated ruins of Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, which have brought on health challenges, such as cancer, to the nearby communities. A permanete exclusion zone of 25 km (approx 15 miles) was set up around the detonation points (DP) of all three cities. Many people, unfortunately, continue to venture past the exclusion zone, and eventually died of radiation sickness or cancer.

States and territories
Australia's territorial boundaries have not changed at all since Doomsday, save several distant island territories such as Cook Island which have gained independence.