Guam Country Brief
Introduction
Guam is a self-governing territory of the United States of America, with President Barack Obama as Head of State and Governor Felix P. Camacho as Head of Government. The island of Guam is in the North Pacific Ocean and is located south of the Northern Mariana Islands and north of Papua New Guinea. It has a population of approximately 178,430 people (2009 est.).
Political Overview
Guam's Legislature consists of 15 members (reduced by referendum from 21 members in 1996), elected by popular vote every two years. It is empowered to enact legislation on local matters, including taxation and fiscal appropriations. Executive power is vested in a civilian governor who is elected by popular vote every four years.
Elections were last held on 7 November 2006 in which Felix P. P. Camacho (Republican) was re-elected Governor and Dr. Michael W. Cruz was elected Lieutenant Governor. The principal parties in Guam are the Democrats and the Republicans, but their linkages with the mainland US parties are tenuous and members often vote across party lines.
The judiciary consists of the Federal District Court of Guam, whose judge is appointed by the US President for a term of eight years. There are two levels of local trial courts: the Superior Court of Guam, for criminal and civil cases, and the traffic, juvenile, and small-claims courts. Judges are appointed by the Governor with consent of the Legislature and are reconfirmed by majority public vote every four years. Appeals may be made to the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Each of the island's villages is headed by a popularly elected Commissioner. A Chief Commissioner, elected by the Commissioners, acts as liaison between the Governor and the districts.
Economic Overview
Guam is prosperous, with a per captia GDP of approximately US$ 19,025 (2008 est). The U.S. armed forces own one-third of the land in Guam and provide about 60 per cent of its income. The second most important source of revenue is tourism, primarily from Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Guam’s fisheries and services sectors are major employers and industrial enterprises (a petroleum refinery, textile and garment firms) were established in the early 1970s. Guam’s major imports are petroleum products, machinery, automobiles and transport vehicles, manufactures, and food. Major export partners are Japan 67.2 per cent, Singapore 11.6 per cent and the UK 4.8 per cent. Major import sources are Singapore 50 per cent, South Korea 21.4 per cent and Japan 14 per cent (2006).
A US-Japan agreement released on 29 October 2005 provides for the transfer of personnel and equipment from US military bases in Okinawa to Guam with the details of the agreement finalised in February 2009. The US plans to relocate 8000 Marines and an estimated 9000 dependents and significantly expand other defence capabilities on Guam, at an estimated cost of over US13 billion (jointly funded by the Governments of US and Japan). Construction is planned to begin in early 2010, in order to meet the transfer timeframe of 2014 agreed with Japan. The build-up is expected to increase Guam’s population to 196,000 and will necessitate extensive upgrading of military facilities and local infrastructure. It is estimated up to 12,000 skilled workers will be required to conduct the work associated with the transfer.
Bilateral relationship
Australia enjoys good relations with Guam and there is a commitment to look constructively at expanding these contacts where feasible.
The Governor of Guam visited Australia in February 2008, under the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Special Visits Program. The visit served to identify opportunities for increased cooperation and trade linkages between Australia and Guam on education, healthcare, construction and waste management infrastructure.
Australia is a popular tourist destination for Guamanians, and contact has been enhanced by direct flights between Guam and Cairns which are four and half hours apart by air.
Bilateral economic and trade relationship
In 2007, the ANZ Bank purchased Guam's fourth largest bank, the Citizens Security Bank. Other Australian companies including Smithbridge (construction), Pipe Networks (telecommunications) and several niche food and beverage exporters are operating in Guam. Continental airlines fly directly from Cairns to Guam several times weekly.
The Australia-US Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) does not apply to Guam because it is outside the US Customs territory. Contracts with the US Department of Defence may, however, be covered by AUSFTA. Australian exports to Guam totalled A$10,905,000 in 2008, consisting mainly of foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals. Imports totalled A$53,000 in 2008, consisting mainly of clothing.
Visitor Information
Australians travelling to Guam are advised to consult the Smartraveller travel advice.
Updated September 2009