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Federation debates « Previous | |Next »
August 24, 2007

When I was in Hobart on the weekend I went and paid my respect to my Australian political/constitutional roots as best I could. I then cam across this website constructed by the University of Tasmania. Andrew Inglis Clarke is a key architect of the Australian constitution, and the architect of its federal character. Clarke wrote the draft Constitution in 1890---the foundation document---and 88 of the 96 clauses in his draft Constitution are in our Constitution today.

That constitution is an amalgam of American federalism and Westminster's concept of representative government. Many today despite federalism and celebrate Westminster's concept of representative government. This preference is an expression of their desire for the centralization of power in Canberra and a scorning of any checks and balances on that power.

I have always desired to read the Federation debates --I actually started reading them when I was working for the Australian Democrats in the SA Parliament--but I never got very far.

Here is the initial motion to federate the colonies in 1890:

Sir Henry Parkes moved, That, in the opinion of this Conference, the best interests and the present and future prosperity of the Australasian Colonies will be promoted by an early union [... under the Crown, and, while fully recognising the valuable services of the Members of the Convention of 1883 in founding the Federal Council, it declares its opinion that the seven years which have since elapsed have developed the national life of Australasia in population, in wealth, in the discovery of resources, and in self governing capacity to an extent which justifies the higher act, at all times contemplated, of the union of these Colonies, under one legislative and executive Government, on principles just to the several Colonies.

As Sir Samuel Griffith observed there can be no difference of opinion as to the end we all have in view — that end must be a complete Federal Government of Australia. He then asks: whether the different Australian colonies, through their legislatures, permit such a federation as we may deem desirable? It is no use for us to pass abstract resolutions here, or any resolutions, unless effect will be given to them by our respective legislatures.

| Posted by Gary Sauer-Thompson at 11:07 PM | | Comments (2)
Comments

Comments

I want a Ph.D. in philosophy.
I have an important book to write.
I am an african-american woman.
Where can I go to be accepted, and left in peace?
Please Help. I will travel any place in the world
that will accept me.

China,
there must be plenty of American universities that would allow you to do what you desire.