Most observers would agree that the political influence, in its broadest sense, can profoundly affect the distribution of geographical phenomena; yet few attempts have been made to measure the magnitude of the influence, or to assess the character of the effects. The political influence as understood here is exerted both by the organized actions of governments and governmental institutions and by individuals or groups working in the interests of a particular cause, or idea. Australians have been compelled to gear their lives to a society in which dual political institutions have a direct and constant influence. The core of the matter rests on the fact that the States are primarily political units, and it is this political consciousness which is helping to mould regional character within State boundaries. The most critical aspect of the political influence on geography concerns the power of pressure groups or interest groups in their relationship to the more important patterns of activity.