The president is assisted by a vice-president and cabinet, appointed from among the members of the assembly, who, except for one member, are all directly elected. All citizens may vote at the age of 18. Each inhabited island has a council, and the government is represented by an island clerk. Economy Most islanders make a living by fishing, growing their own food, and raising small livestock. Revenues are also earned from tourism and from foreign companies which pay Kiribati for the right to fish its waters.
Local industry is small in scale and includes handicrafts, fish salting, and boat-building.
A cash economy has only recently emerged on the outer islands, but it prevails on South Tarawa. The Australian dollar is used as the country s currency. Transport and Communication Buses are only available on South Tarawa. Outer-island travel is on foot, by canoe, bicycle, or motorbike. Inter-island air and boat services are irregular.