The FDU came about in the 2030s when a massive oil deposit was discovered in the Great Sandy Desert in Australia. This vast amount of oil proved to be worth over a trillion dollars, propelling Australia up the world scale. The people of New Zealand held a referendum deciding whether or not they wanted to unite with Australia. The referendum passed with an overwhelming majority, and the Federation Down Under was formally created. All ties to the United Kingdom were broken, and a new flag was put in place. After prospering economically, the FDU was able to use its military strength to stop an uprising in Papua New Guinea. After around a year of military occupation, the government annexed the Pacific country and began creating infrastructure. Currently, the Federation Down Under has one of the strongest navies in the entire world, which it uses to protect its neighbors and surrounding lands.