tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post9212800644476327486..comments2024-02-17T19:03:04.824+11:00Comments on New England, Australia: New State arguments 7 - the constitutional positionJim Belshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-38959448893803329592011-11-04T07:51:08.115+11:002011-11-04T07:51:08.115+11:00Thank you very much for this comment. I wasn't...Thank you very much for this comment. I wasn't properly aware of the Brazilian experience in particular. I will follow that up.Jim Belshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-63293429995259481422011-11-03T00:02:28.398+11:002011-11-03T00:02:28.398+11:00Dear Sir
Australians should look also to another ...Dear Sir<br /><br />Australians should look also to another federations and as they evolved from federation of few state into federation of many states. The best example is USA. How they do it? Ok appart of expanding their territory. But there are, federations who created new states without expanding their land. For example Brazil, on the same land area new states were formed as recently as in 1978, when state Tocantins was formed from northern parts of state Goais. Or state Matto Grosso split into two states Matto Grosso and Matto Grosso del Sul. One wery important things I want to mention Regions like Eyre Peninsula, where governmental neglect left the second biggest city of SA to drop population from 35,000 to 21,000 calls for that area to have their own state as remedy impact of centralism. So does the are of Far West NSW where drop of population in Broken Hill from 30,000 in 1970 to 19,000 now calls for similliar remedies. Creation of new states is strong stimuli for population growth as it shows in the new state of Tocantins in Brazil, where state capital Palmas grew from 0 to 260,000 people over period of 30 years with its own university, profesional theatre, airport, domestic and international. Imagine that!<br />Also India is good example where new state of Uttrakhand become 27th Indian state in year 2000 when it split from state of Uttar Pradesh. SO we have to learn what mechanisms are in place in Brazil and India and what mechanisms were in USA to allow form new states. Australia become to split in 19th century from one supper colony into five smaller colonies- it was an odd century, 20th century didn't bring any relevant changes, now we have odd century again and this is the time to create enough states to benefit Australian continent as whole. Famous historian professor Blainey said that if all Australians should enjoy benefits of federalism, Australia because of its sheer geographical size needs at least 20 states.<br />Yours sincerely<br /><br />J KazokAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-50420843740744948062010-06-05T12:55:26.639+10:002010-06-05T12:55:26.639+10:00Yes that is it in a nutshell - Sydney needs out as...Yes that is it in a nutshell - Sydney needs out as much as we do. Then NSW can concentrate on Sydney's issues - and they also have many.Gregnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-53312875842442383862010-06-05T12:42:21.896+10:002010-06-05T12:42:21.896+10:00Greg, we have to work both local and broader. Actu...Greg, we have to work both local and broader. Actually, and this is a change, Sydney needs out from NSW. It needs a Government that can focus on its interests and the immediate surrounds. Just look at the fiasco associated with the so-called brand Sydney, and the rise of Melbourne.Jim Belshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-252165242869264532010-06-05T12:29:33.457+10:002010-06-05T12:29:33.457+10:00Here are a couple more links.
http://www.theaustr...Here are a couple more links.<br /><br />http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/carrying-goals-to-newcastle/story-e6frg6nf-1225852021404<br /><br />http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/vice-capital-townsville-radical-plan-to-shift-population-growth-from-queenslands-south-to-north/story-e6freoof-1225847338074<br /><br />These articles advocate either shifting capitals or establishing new capitals (Newcastle and Townsville) as a means of encouraging regional development and population growth away from their respective state capital cities.<br /><br />Clearly there are plenty of intelligent people thinking about these issues and coming up with similar solutions. Furthermore, it is getting some capital city media coverage.<br /><br />The population debate has somewhat overtaken us in this regard. It is a topic which is of special concern in the large cities and we need to capitalise on this.<br /><br />Perhaps this could be the "hook" to not only convince New England of the value of a new state but also those in the capital. It is good for both Sydney and regional NSW in that it will help ease the pressures in Sydney created by adding a city the size of Maitland each and every year.<br /><br />The Sydney population will be more inclined to agree with a New England new state if they can also see benefit in it for themselves. So in that sense we perhaps should concentrate on the broader benefits rather than the narrow local grievances.Gregnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-92017391594153902982010-06-05T06:57:26.244+10:002010-06-05T06:57:26.244+10:00I have now added the links that Mark found to the ...I have now added the links that Mark found to the original post.Jim Belshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-73457996623265666552010-06-05T06:39:22.441+10:002010-06-05T06:39:22.441+10:00Mark, thank you for finding Bryan's paper. It ...Mark, thank you for finding Bryan's paper. It provides a very helpful review. Bryan was most recently famous for taking the Commonwealth to the High Court over one aspect of the stimulus package.<br /><br />I saw Bryan in Armidale in March. He remains a new stater. He complained about the lack of interest in constitutional principles in recent years.Jim Belshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-27491242306512977342010-06-04T22:31:24.027+10:002010-06-04T22:31:24.027+10:00Absolutely Mark. The anti Sydney, pro-separation s...Absolutely Mark. The anti Sydney, pro-separation sentiment is there and bubbling away just beneath the surface - at least in Newcastle. I wonder how we get high profile individuals such as Percy Allan on board and up front?<br /><br />That comment 35 is typical though. The thought processes are not well focused in some minds. Many dissatisfied people make that comment about abolition of the states. We need to argue the case that separation and constitutional home rule is a realistic and achievable goal. Abolition of the states is not.<br /><br />Will check out that essay. Cheers!Gregnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-74563026496959581052010-06-04T21:34:34.916+10:002010-06-04T21:34:34.916+10:00This comment has been removed by the author.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00909736760809374421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-27555712975945429142010-06-04T21:33:30.116+10:002010-06-04T21:33:30.116+10:00That is a great find and a great read Greg. We nee...That is a great find and a great read Greg. We need to round these people up, look at comment 35 of 40, Phil C of Newcastle. These feelings are everywhere, mention the words "new state" and "public meeting" and I'm sure that they will come out of the woodwork. <br /><br />A lot of the recent articles such as the one you referred to Greg is history repeating itself. The same basic issues.<br /><br />The essay I was referring to earlier is found here: http://www.une.edu.au/law/publications/B.Pape%20-%20Federalism%20for%20the%20Second%20Century.pdf<br /><br />The constitution is the major impediment and pressure will need to be applied on Canberra.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00909736760809374421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-22473780416510734812010-06-04T17:10:24.532+10:002010-06-04T17:10:24.532+10:00Mark, I would be interested to read that. Can you ...Mark, I would be interested to read that. Can you direct me where I might find it?<br /><br />Now is definitely the right time to be bringing this issue back on to the agenda with the appointment of Tony Burke as the population minister. As I understand it, he will be looking into population issues, including over crowding in the cities and decentralisation, over the next 12 months before reporting back to the government. Examination of the case for new states would seem to be a logical part of that brief.<br /><br />Also check out this item from the Australian published on 6th April 2010.<br /><br />http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/opinion/how-to-defuse-population-bomb/story-e6frg9p6-1225850074371<br /><br />Former NSW treasury secretary Percy Allan points to our overly centralised jurisdictions as a major barrier to decentralisation and regional development. He even goes so far as to suggest that the state capital be relocated from Sydney to Newcastle in order to promote the Hunter as a new "growth centre".<br /><br />I don't know where Percy Allan hails from, but clearly his views are close to that of the new staters. It would be a big plus to have a former senior public official on board.<br /><br />Perhaps all the planets are now coming into alignment?Gregnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-18880501584824861532010-06-04T10:06:59.958+10:002010-06-04T10:06:59.958+10:00There is certainly a flaw in the constitution. I r...There is certainly a flaw in the constitution. I read about numerous meetings with Prime Ministers etc in efforts to push change in the constitution to override some of the existing state governments reluctance for new states, New England in particular. <br /><br />I read an essay last night from Mr B. Page from UNE on federalism for the new century. He quoted a few federal ministers over the years in their desire for more states for a healthier federal system. A pretty good read I thought.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00909736760809374421noreply@blogger.com