A CONSTITUTIONAL JOURNEY Final.doc

8/14/2019 A CONSTITUTIONAL JOURNEY Final.doc

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$e%&'at&on

I would like to dedicate the book to my wife Cynthia, and my sons,Alisdair and Stuart, who have accompanied me on this "journey", butalso on all our travels to different lands where my career has taken me.


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A CONSTITUTIONAL JOURNEY

Graham L. Paterson

INTRO$UCTION

I have written this book from the perspective of an ordinary Australian citi!en who

became aware that the Australian Constitution is the most important document in the

lives of every person livin in this country. #f course, very few people would ever

think in these terms$ many would probably dispute that statement, and the vast majority

who know nothin whatsoever about the Constitution, would have no idea what I am

talkin about.

%he Constitution is the foundation for creatin all the laws that overn our lives and for

that reason alone, it is a crucially important document. &owever, a nation's

Constitution is, or should be, more than that. %he Constitution should be an e(pression

of the fundamental philosophy of the people who wish to live toether in a society. In

order to do this, a Constitution needs to be a creation of the will of the people, to be

understood and embraced by the people and to identify the people as the fountainhead

of all political )power'.

%o be a proper Constitution it needs to clearly define the powers and limitations the

people are prepared to deleate to their elected representatives. Any powers not so

defined must always remain the riht and property of the people. A ood Constitution

re*uires a +reamble, which sets out the basic philosophy of their society and the

fundamental rihts, and principles, that have to be observed in makin laws. %he

+reamble is to be considered an interal part of the Constitution for any subse*uent

judicial decision involvin an interpretation of the Constitution.

%he Australian Constitution does none of these thins. At root, it is nothin more than a

contract between the overnments of the 1 thcentury colonies as to how they miht

share )power' with a central overnment under a federated arranement. -hen an

ordinary person reads this Constitution, they cannot help but be appalled by the

dictatorial powers allocated to the overnor eneral. /ot only does this office

represent the Commander in Chief of the Armed 0orces, it also has the power to open

or close +arliament at will and to appoint an, undefined, 0ederal (ecutive Council to

advise on overnin the nation. %here is no mention of a +rime 2inister in the

Constitution or any oriinal reconition of political parties. %he whole of the

Constitution is steeped in 1thcentury political thinkin, which considers the


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overnment as the sole source of power with the authority to control the people as it

sees fit. %his thinkin has been retained riht up to the present day, not only by the

overnment but, also, by the &ih Court of Australia. %his Court sees the Constitution,

purely, as a leal document, to be interpreted and manipulated without any reference to

the people, who should be, its rihtful owners.

%he sad part of this story is that this Constitution has never been a )people's'

Constitution because$ it was drawn up by politicians and lawyers for their e(press

benefit. %he people need to reassert their authority as the source of all political power

and reclaim the ownership of a truly )people's' Constitution for Australia. %his can

only be done by scrappin this present Constitution, which, to this day, is still one part

of a nine3part Act of the 4ritish +arliament.

%he opportunity to e(ert the people's control of their Constitution will arise the ne(t

time the Australian 5epublic is raised. %his is mooted to happen when the present

6ueen of nland abdicates or dies.

%hat will be the opportunity for the Australian people to include the followin type of

bindin +reamble into any new Constitution.

+5A247

We the people of the Commonwealth of Australia, a Federation which was constituted

under an Act (63 and 64 Victoria, Chapter 12) dated the ninth da of !ul 1"##, ha$ea%reed to adopt this Constitution %o$ernin% the Federal Commonwealth &arliament,

the 'o$ernment and all the Courts of our ation, in accordance with our eliefs as set

out in this &reamle*

+n settin% out, herewith, the fundamental eliefs and principles %o$ernin% the

application of this Constitution, this &reamle must alwas e treated as an inte%ral

part of the Constitution in the formulation of aws and !udicial decisions*

W- hold to the elief that all Australians, includin% the descendants of the

ori%inal Aori%ine inhaitants, are created e.ual under the rule of aw, that we are

endowed with certain inalienale ri%hts/ these include the ri%ht to life, liert and the

pursuit of happiness and it is the &arliament0s responsiilit to %uarantee that these

i%hts are sustained**

All i%hts are ordained as the possession of the people who accept the associated

responsiilities in the interest of our societ and the Commonwealth of Australia*

W- further hold to the elief in the ule of aw as the onl $iale option for a

emocratic ociet* his elief is ased upon the uni$ersal $alues contained in our

historical Common aw herita%e*

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his herita%e is co$ered the 'reat Charters of -n%land, handed down to us

throu%h the centuries as part of the de$elopment of 5ritish Common aw and

suse.uentl incorporated into Australian Common aw*

W- hold these $alues to e in$iolate and that no &arliament, or Court, of the

Commonwealth of Australia shall ha$e the ri%ht to den, or rescind the inherited

ri%hts, freedoms and oli%ations of an Australian citien as pro$ided our

Common aw herita%e*

W-, the people of Australia, here declare that we are a so$erei%n

independent ation made up of Australian tates and erritories*

W-, the people of Australia, further declare that our &arliamentar sstem

shall comprise of an Australian Crown (or &residenc), a 7ouse of epresentati$es

and a 7ouse of enators, each of which shall e formed in the manner set down in this

Constitution*

W- also declare that the 'o$ernment of Australia shall e $ested and

maintained in the four principal, independent, non8political areas co$ered the

&ulic er$ice epartments, the &olice er$ice, all sections of the !udiciar and the

efence Forces of Australia*

All 9emers of the Australian Crown (or &residenc) as well as e$er 9emer

of the Australian &arliamentar sstem and of each of the 'o$ernment er$icesdesi%nated ao$e, shall, at all times, e responsile to the &eople of Australia and

shall, as pro$ided for in this Constitution, swear to such alle%iance the :ath of

:ffice contained herein*

W-, the people of Australia, declare that the responsiilit for the 'o$ernment

of the Commonwealth of Australia shall e $ested in the 9emers of the 7ouse of

epresentati$es whom shall appoint, or elect, from their memership, a &rime

9inister*

he &rime 9inister shall then select an -;ecuti$e Cainet, comprisin% of

9emers of either the 7ouse of epresentati$es or the enate, with the duties and

responsiilities, as pro$ided for in this Constitution* 9emers from either 7ouse of

&arliament shall e selected, the &rime 9inister to act as 9inisters in char%e of the

$arious 'o$ernment epartments, ut, so as no one person shall e a 9inister of more

than two such 'o$ernment epartments at an one time*

he 7i%h Court of Australia shall e as set out in this Constitution and an


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he remainder of this Constitution shall e di$ided as follows=8

4y includin reference to 4ritish Common 7aw and the reat Charters and Acts that

form the basis of Australia's Common 7aw practice, this +reamble automatically

includes the 4ill of 5ihts Act, the &abeas Corpus Act, the principles of the 2ana

Carta and the other historical Acts that contribute to the development of Common 7aw.

%his book describes the many paths and byways I have travelled durin : years in

tryin to et an understandin of this all important document. #ver the past ; years, a

reat number of people have one to e(traordinary lenths to cover up a fundamental

omission that was made in 1;. Australia had the opportunity to become a soverein

and independent nation when we were accepted as a foundin member of the 7eaue of

/ations. It was at that point in time when Australia should have severed all political ties

with 4ritain by creatin our own Australian Constitution and formally declarin our

sovereinty and independence. %hat was never done and the oriinal Constitutional Act

of the 4ritish +arliament remains in place to this day. +oliticians and &ih Court indom. %hey have even come

up with a ridiculous theory of Constitutional evolution, as thouh this anti*uated, but

important document has, somehow, ac*uired a will of its own.

I have finally been able to comprehend why so many, supposedly, learned men andwomen, both inside and outside of overnment and the leal fraternity, have had to

resort to these e(traordinarily dishonest actions. %hey had no choice. As lon as the

Australian Constitution remained an Act of the 4ritish +arliament, we could not be an

independent nation in spite of what anybody may have said, thouht or wished.

%his Act of the 4ritish +arliament, which is actually titled, (The Br&t&sh Co)ony o* the

Common+ea)th o* Austra)&a Const&tut&on A't ",!! -U/0 puts us in breach of

Articles ?@III and ?? of the Covenant of the 7eaue of /ations 1;318B which

invalidates the usae of the laws of 2ember States within the soverein territory of

other 2ember States. %his same breach is carried over to Australia's membership with

the =nited /ations throuh Articles .1,. 8, 1; and 1;D in the =/ Charter. It has

been absolutely imperative for the overnment and the &ih Court of Australia to

avoid, and deny, any challene to the Constitution because$ such a challene would

immediately impact on the validity of these institutions.

2y journey is unfinished and will only reach its final destination when the Australian

people, not the politicians and certainly not the lawyers, stand up, and in one voice,

create their own, truly, Australian Constitution.

B


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nd#ct. ;1;

CONTENTS

Cha1ter ". The Journey Be2&ns

Cha1ter . A Fun%amenta) 3uest&on

Cha1ter #. A Ste1 ba'4 &nto the Past

Cha1ter 5. The 6uest *or In%e1en%en'e

Cha1ter 7. The Unsa8oury Creat&on o* the 6ueen o* Austra)&a

Cha1ter 9. The 6uest&on o* the Go8ernor Genera):s A11o&ntment

Cha1ter ;. The Lu%&'rous E8o)ut&onary Theory

Cha1ter oney as a Commo%&ty

Cha1ter ";. The Go8ernment San't&one% Pon& S'heme

Cha1ter "


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C=APTER "

T=E JOURNEY BEGINS

Th&s Dourney starte% &n In%ones&a0 1robab)y0 aroun% ",;!. I &n&t&a))y 8&s&te%

In%ones&a &n ",9;0 t+o years a*ter the 'ou1 that 1ut Pres&%ent Suharto &n 1o+er.

I returne% to that 'ountry &n ",9,0 Dust as the *ore&2n &n8estment boom +as ta4&n2

o**0 an% s1ent # 8ery su''ess*u) years runn&n2 my o+n 'onsu)t&n2 bus&ness. I ha% a

2oo% 'omman% o* the )an2ua2e *rom # ear)&er years &n >a)aya an% th&s )e% to

on2o&n2 &n8o)8ement &n ne2ot&at&ons bet+een *ore&2ners0 8ar&ous )o'a) 'om1an&es

an% In%ones&an o**&'&a)s. $&s'uss&ons &n8o)8&n2 the In%ones&an Const&tut&on o*ten

arose &n the 'ourse o* these ne2ot&at&ons an% &t +as a b&t o* an eye o1ener that

many In%ones&ans +ere 'om1)ete)y *am&)&ar +&th th&s %o'ument. I soon be'ame

a+are that 'o1&es o* the Const&tut&on boo4)et +ere so)% at a 2reat number o* sho1s

an% street sta))s a'ross Ja4arta.

It +as *ortunate that my +or4 too4 me to e8ery ma&n &s)an% &n the In%ones&an

ar'h&1e)a2o +here I +as 'on*ronte% +&th th&s ama&n2 %&str&but&on o* the

Const&tut&on. I subse3uent)y )earnt that the In%ones&an Const&tut&on +as tau2ht &n

the s'hoo)s as &t embo%&e% the 7 1r&n'&1)es re1resent&n2 the In%ones&an 1h&)oso1hy*or the&r so'&ety. These 7 1r&n'&1)es are 4no+n as the PanDas&)a an% th&s &s %e1&'te%

&n the In%ones&an Coat o* Arms.

In essen'e0 these 1r&n'&1)es are

be)&e* &n 2o%

be)&e* &n human&ty

be)&e* &n nat&ona) un&ty

be)&e* &n the so8ere&2nty o* the 1eo1)e an%

be)&e* &n so'&a) Dust&'e.

Th&s +as my *&rst e1osure to matters Const&tut&ona)0 an% &n a sense0 I +as

*ortunate to ha8e th&s en'ounter +&th +hat0 I no+ re'o2n&se as a 1eo1)e:s:

Const&tut&on. It &s a Const&tut&on that &s rea% an% un%erstoo% by the 1eo1)e an%

re)ates to the&r e8ery%ay )&8es. That %oes not ne'essar&)y &m1)y that &t &s a 1er*e't

Const&tut&on or one that %e*&nes an% )&m&ts the 1o+ers o* Go8ernment0 or that &t

'annot be man&1u)ate%.

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It o''urre% to me0 I 4ne+ abso)ute)y noth&n2 about my o+n Austra)&an

Const&tut&on0 ha% ne8er seen a 'o1y0 )et a)one rea% one0 nor ha% &t e8ery been a

subDe't %&s'usse% at s'hoo) or any other 1)a'e. hen my *am&)y an% I returne% to

Austra)&a &n ",;0 I %e'&%e% to a'3u&re a 'o1y o* the Austra)&an Const&tut&on an%

see +hat &t sa&%. As &t turne% out0 th&s +asn:t a)) that easy but I e8entua))y %&%

obta&n a 'o1y throu2h the Go8ernment Pr&nt&n2 O**&'e0 &* I remember 'orre't)y.

They say that e8ery Dourney starts +&th one sma)) ste1 an% rea%&n2 that 'o1y o*

the Austra)&an Const&tut&on +as my *&rst ste1 on a < year Dourney throu2h the

absur%&t&es0 %e'e1t&on0 m&s&n*ormat&on0 %&stort&ons0 %&s&nterest an% astoun%&n2

)a'4 o* 4no+)e%2e surroun%&n2 th&s %o'ument.

C=APTER

A FUN$A>ENTAL 6UESTION

hat &s the 1ur1ose an% reason *or ha8&n2 a 2o8ernment@

Be*ore +e %&s'uss th&s &ssue0 &t he)1s to un%erstan% the h&stor&' ba'42roun% that

has e8o)8e%0 an% been 1er*e'te%0 &n arr&8&n2 at the 1resent %ay:s att&tu%e to+ar%s

Go8ernment. C)ear)y0 there are t+o 8ery %&st&n't an% o11os&te 8&e+s on ho+

Go8ernments shou)% o1erate ? on the one han% &s the 8&e+ o* the 1o)&t&'&ans an%

bureau'rats +ho0 as a ')ass0 re1resent the Go8ernment ? then there &s the 8&e+ o*

the 8ast maDor&ty o* 1eo1)e that ma4e u1 the 2enera) 1o1u)at&on. From the

2o8ernment 1o&nt o* 8&e+0 they are the )ea%ers: an% are res1ons&b)e *or )ea%&n2:

the 1eo1)e &n the %&re't&on %eeme% most a11ro1r&ate by the Go8ernment0 &n other

+or%s0 eer'&s&n2 'ontro). From the 1eo1)e:s 1o&nt o* 8&e+0 the ro)e o* the

Go8ernment &s to ser8e the nee%s o* the 1o1u)at&on by 1ro8&%&n2 ser8&'es that

'annot be a'h&e8e% throu2h &n%&8&%ua) e**ort0 or to 1ut &t more su''&n't)y0 to ser8e

a 1ub)&' 1ur1ose. =o+e8er0 the h&stor&'a) *a't that 1o+er*u) *&nan'&a) &nterestsha8e )on2 ha% an &nor%&nate &n*)uen'e on the 1o)&t&'a) 1ro'ess has no+ be'ome

more ob8&ous. Th&s has been the 'ase &rres1e't&8e +hether the Go8ernment &s

1er'e&8e% as a %emo'rat&' &nst&tut&on or an author&tar&an one.

That h&stor&' ba'42roun% %ates ba'4 many 'entur&es0 an% &n8ar&ab)y %er&8es *rom

the *eu%a) an% monar'h&'a) system o* (2o8ernmentH +&th &t:s re)ate% 1easantry

an% ar&sto'ra'y.

To quote Makinde Adeyinka, The nature, necessity and scope of the miscellany of

powers exercised by the state over the nation (meaning the !overnment over the


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people" is in one sense arguably as contentious in the contemporary circumstances of

the #estern world as it was in the distant pre$democratic medieval past%

&ack in ')*, $e))a Ra2&on %& Statowrote, The +eason of tate- and supported the

philosophical amorality espoused by .iccolo Machiavelli in his political treatise,

(The /rince-% Machiavelli0s contention that virtually any action taken by a ruler to

preserve and promote the stability and the prosperity of his domain was inherently

1ustifiable% Thus, the employment of violence, murder, deception and cruelty toward

achieving these ends cannot be ruled out in so far as the ends 1ustify the means%-

Th&s to%ay has be'ome0 8&rtua))y0 the un&8ersa) han%boo4 on ho+ to or2an&se a

Go8ernment:0 an% u)t&mate)y1ustifies so many unsavoury !overnment actions,

which in turn, are replicated by anti !overnment movements% The inevitable result is

explicitly explained by the contemporary,&n'eno &n'&2uerra0 a 1art&'&1ant &n the

*ormer)y se'ret US ?NATO 1ro2ram0 'o%ename% (O1erat&on G)a%&oH.

.!overnments have to attack civilians, the people, women, children, and unknown

people far from any political game% The reason is quite simple to force the people to

turn to the state for greater security% This is the political logic that lies behind all the

massacres and the bombings which remain unpunished, because the state cannot

convict itself or declare itself responsible for what happened%2

I ha8e )on2 es1ouse% the not&on0 +hether +e be)&e8e &t or not0 our )&8es are

2o8erne% by 1h&)oso1hy0 an% the *un%amenta) 1h&)oso1hy o* a so'&ety shou)% be

the *oun%at&on o* &ts Const&tut&on.

Ea'h o* us +hether +e re'o2n&se &t0 +hether +e a11)y &t0 an% e8en +hen +e %on:t

4no+ &t0 'on%u't our a**a&rs on the bas&s o* a 1h&)oso1hy.

Ph&)oso1hy0 +hen &t &s a)) sa&% an% %one0 &s noth&n2 more than an &%ea ? a 'on'e1t ?

a su22est&on o* ho+ +e shou)% )&8e our )&8es. As a =uman Be&n20 +e ha8e the

ab&)&ty to 'hoose any 1h&)oso1hy +e )&4e &n %eterm&n&n2 ho+ +e +ant to )&8e.For some 1eo1)e &t &s O to )&e0 'heat0 stea) an% e8en mur%er &* &t &s the&r best

means o* sur8&8&n2. >ost)y thou2h0 an% th&s &n')u%es the 8ast maDor&ty o* us0 +e

s&m1)y a''e1t +hat other 1eo1)e te)) us &s best *or us.

A 1h&)oso1hy has no &ntr&ns&' +orth un)ess &t 'an be trans)ate% &nto some *orm o*

1ra't&'a) a11)&'at&on. A 1h&)oso1hy must be'ome a 1o)&'y be*ore &t 'an be

trans*orme% &nto a system. But &t &s those 1h&)oso1h&es0 1o)&'&es an% systems that

re)ate to 1eo1)e an% +&)) a**e't the +ay they )&8e. On)y 1eo1)e ? human be&n2s ?

'an 1h&)oso1h&se ? an% on)y 1eo1)e 'an trans)ate 1h&)oso1h&es &nto 1o)&'&es an%

'reate systems ? an% on)y 1eo1)e 'an run the systems. I* +e +ant to )&8e &n a

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so'&ety ? &n a 'ommun&ty ? &n a 8&))a2e &n a *am&)y ? +e ha8e to ha8e some system

&n 1)a'e to )et us 4no+ ho+ +e shou)% re)ate to other 1eo1)e &n those 2rou1s.

Certa&n)y0 e8eryone 'ou)% ha8e the&r o+n system but0 +&thout some *orm o*

'ommon a2reement an% 'ommon un%erstan%&n20 the en% resu)t0 to say the )east0

+ou)% be 'haot&'.

The *un%amenta) reason +e )&8e &n a so'&ety &s be'ause o* the mutua) bene*&ts +e

2et *rom 'oo1erat&on0 Do&nt e**ort an% mutua) se'ur&ty. e shou)% not )&8e &n a

so'&ety that has no bene*&ts *or our mutua) +e))be&n2 an% ha11&ness0 but

un*ortunate)y0 throu2h ne'ess&ty rather than 'ho&'e0 many o* us %o.

It 'omes ba'4 to 1h&)oso1hy ? +h&'h 1h&)oso1hy shou)% +e a%o1t as the bas&s *or

estab)&sh&n2 the systems that +&)) ma4e the ty1e o* so'&ety +e +&sh to )&8e &n@

I* +e are 2o&n2 to set u1 a system to estab)&sh the stan%ar%s by +h&'h +e +&sh to

)&8e to2ether as a so'&ety0 +e nee% to ensure the 1r&mary 1ur1ose o* that system &s

the 1rote't&on o* &n%&8&%ua) r&2hts: *or ea'h o* &ts '&t&ens. In truth0 the on)y

r&2hts: that 'an e&st are those +h&'h 'an be susta&ne%. The 'on'e1t o* r&2hts:

a)+ays &n8o)8es the re'o2n&t&on o* a res1ons&b&)&ty to res1e't the r&2hts: o* other

members o* the so'&ety to +h&'h +e be)on2.

On'e +e ab%&'ate the res1ons&b&)&ty *or %eterm&n&n2 the 1h&)oso1hy that &s best:

*or us an% our so'&ety an% a''e1t0 +&thout 3uest&on0 the 1h&)oso1hy someone e)se

says &s best: *or us0 +e automat&'a))y estab)&sh a 1o+er: stru'ture. On'e th&s

stru'ture &s &n 1)a'e &ts 1ra't&t&oners0 &ne8&tab)y0 %e8e)o1 a )ust to ma&nta&n an%

enhan'e the 'ontro) o8er the 1eo1)e +hom0 r&2ht*u))y0 they shou)% be there to

su11ort an% 1rote't.

As *ar as I 'an see0 &* a so'&ety +&shes to estab)&sh a set o* stan%ar%s a&me% at

harness&n2 the 'oo1erat&on an% re)at&onsh&1 bet+een &ts members0 &t 'an on)y be

a'h&e8e% &n t+o +ays. I +ou)% 1re*er to see th&s %one by means o* a mutua))ya2reeab)e harmon&s&n2 a11roa'h throu2h the ru)e o* )a+ an% a Const&tut&on. The

on)y other a)ternat&8e &s ru)e by *or'e.

The 1rob)em )&es &n *&n%&n2 the best +ay to trans)ate the %es&re% 1h&)oso1hy &nto a

1o)&'y that 'an then be %e8e)o1e% &nto a +or4ab)e system *or the bene*&t o* 1eo1)e.

The so)ut&on has been *oun% tota))y e)us&8e throu2hout the0 re)at&8e)y0 short

h&story o* man4&n%.

Amon2 the reasons so'&ety 'hooses to *orm a Go8ernment &s to ensure a su11)y o*

+hat they ')ass as0 (essent&a) ser8&'esH. In mo%ern %ay 1ar)an'e0 these &n')u%e

su'h th&n2s as a %r&n4ab)e +ater su11)y0 a +or4ab)e se+a2e system0 a 'ont&nuous

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an% re)&ab)e e)e'tr&'&ty su11)y0 a s&m&)ar)y re)&ab)e 1osta) ser8&'e an% a 'on8en&ent

roa% an% trans1ort system. These are but a *e+ o* the essent&a) ser8&'es a mo%ern

so'&ety nee%s &n or%er to *un't&on0 an% &s the reason so'&ety 'hooses to %e)e2ate the

res1ons&b&)&ty to a Go8ernmenta) system to 1ro8&%e these essent&a)s. To the etent

that the 1r&8ate mar4et 'an 1ro%u'e sens&b)e an% a**or%ab)e ser8&'es &n se)e'te%

an% %es&2nate% 1arts o* these essent&a) ser8&'es0 they shou)% be en'oura2e% to %o

so. The 1r&8ate mar4et:s ma&n area o* &nterest0 an% res1ons&b&)&ty0 &s &n the

'ommer'&a) enter1r&se o* manu*a'tur&n20 ser8&'e &n%ustr&es0 resour'e

%e8e)o1ment0 sa)es an% mar4et&n2.

In to%ay:s +or)% o* Commer'&a) bus&nesses0 e8eryth&n2 &s 'ontro))e% by the bottom

)&ne0 an% 'onse3uent)y0 anyth&n2 that h&n%ers the a)) 'onsum&n2 1ro*&t mot&8e &s

abhorre%. Th&n2s )&4e re2u)at&ons0 un&ons an% taes. =o+e8er0 many '&t&ens o* a

so'&ety un%erstan% the nee% *or re2u)at&ons0 un&ons an% the th&n2s taes0 &*

&nte))&2ent)y s1ent0 'an %o *or them. (I* &nte))&2ent)y s1entH are the 4ey +or%s &n

res1e't to the +ay the Go8ernment o* a monetary sovereign nation0 su'h as

Austra)&a0 uses the resour'es an% *un%&n2 a8a&)ab)e to them. It &s &n th&s res1e't

that the 1eo1)e o* a so'&ety +&)) a)+ays 2et the Go8ernments they %eser8e K

UNLESS K the 1eo1)e 'ontro) the&r Const&tut&on an% %e*&ne the *un%amenta)

ru)es *or re2u)at&n2 the +ay they +&)) a))o+ the&r Go8ernment to o1erate.

On)y then +&)) they ha8e a 'han'e to 2et the ty1e o* Go8ernment they ANT.H

C=APTER #

A STEP BAC INTO T=E PAST

On rea%&n2 th&s Austra)&an Const&tut&on0 &t be'ame 8ery ob8&ous +hy &t &s ne8er

tau2ht &n any s'hoo) o* the Common+ea)th. Not on)y &s &t 'umbersome an%

%&**&'u)t to un%erstan%0 but &t a)so bears no rea) re)at&onsh&1 to the +ay +e are2o8erne%. It &s 'erta&n)y not a %o'ument that &s +r&tten +&th the 1eo1)e: &n m&n%

an% nor %oes &t ma4e any attem1t to e1oun% a 1h&)oso1hy +h&'h 'ou)% be use% as

a *oun%at&on *or bu&)%&n2 our Austra)&an so'&ety.

It 1&3ue% my 'ur&os&ty as ho+ th&s %o'ument e8o)8e% an% that )e% me &nto the

%&**&'u)t an% 1art&a))y h&%%en 1ath o* ear)y Austra)&an Const&tut&ona) h&story. As &t

turne% out0 th&s 1ro8e% to be an &ntr&2u&n2 e'urs&on +h&'h %e)8e% &nto the m&n%s

an% )&8es o* some o* our0 so'a))e%0 Foun%&n2 Fathers:. I )earnt th&n2s about our

ear)y h&story that I ha% ne8er 4no+n. Th&s +as no easy resear'h as the *o))o+&n2

&n*ormat&on 'omes *rom a +&%e 8ar&ety o* sour'es0 o*ten 'ontra%&'tory.

1


13/161

T=E STARTING POINT

h&)e there +ere 8ar&ous a%8o'ates *or the 'on'e1t o* a un&te% Austra)&a0 noth&n2

mu'h 'ame *rom these ear)y e**orts. The Br&t&sh Go8ernment ma%e an attem1t &n

"

t&me by outs&%e 'on'erns. The *ear that Germany ha% %es&2ns on Ne+ Gu&nea an%0

+&th Fran'e 'o8et&n2 Ne+ Ca)e%on&a &t +as su**&'&ent &n'ent&8e to &n&t&ate a

Fe%era) Austra)as&an Coun'&). Th&s Coun'&) e8entua))y met *or the *&rst t&me &n

=obart0 Tasman&a0 on the 7thJanuary "


14/161

>e)bourne an% Gee)on2 a8era2e% "#7! 8otes 1er seat. The e)e8en a%%&t&ona)

Go)%*&e)% seats a8era2e% "aDor Genera) S&r Be8an E%+ar%s. Th&s +as a

resu)t o* h&s re1ort &n "


15/161

The Tenter*&e)% Con8ent&on +as 1romote% as the Fe%era) Coun'&) o* Austra)as&a

to &n')u%e re1resentat&8e 1ub)&' men *rom ea'h o* the 'o)on&es as +e)) as Ne+

ea)an% an% F&D&. In a)) " re1resentat&8es atten%e%0 &n')u%&n2 *rom Ne+

ea)an% but0 none *rom F&D&0 as the nom&nee arr&8e% too )ate to 1art&'&1ate. Ea'h

Co)ony +as re1resente% by a Po)&t&'&an an% a Sen&or Pub)&' Ser8ant.

It 'an be sa*e)y sa&% that not one re1resentat&8e ha% any ab&%&n2 un%erstan%&n20 or

'omm&tment0 to the 'on'e1t o* a 1eo1)es $emo'ra'y:.

Th&s 'on*eren'e +as0 1ure)y an% s&m1)y0 a start&n2 1o&nt *or the shar&n2 o*

1o+ers bet+een the Co)on&es an% a (stron2 Centra) Ee'ut&8eH0 +&th the &n&t&a)

*o'us on some *orm o* a 'ommon %e*en'e e**ort. The 8&ta) 'on'ern o* ea'h

Re1resentat&8e +as to ma&nta&n the 8este% &nterests o* the&r Co)ony. There +as

abso)ute)y no e8&%en'e o* the 2enera) 1ub)&'s &n8o)8ement or as1&rat&ons be&n2 a

%r&8&n2 *or'e beh&n% th&s un%erta4&n2. The 3uest *or Fe%erat&on starte% +&th the

Po)&t&'&ans an% the Pub)&' Ser8ants *or the e1ress bene*&t o* the sa&% Po)&t&'&ans

an% Pub)&' Ser8ants0 an% un*ortunate)y0 )&tt)e has 'han2e% to%ay. >y resear'h has

&n%&'ate% that 1art o* the mot&8at&on *or Fe%erat&on +as the 2oa) o* the sma))er

Co)on&es be&n2 ab)e to bene*&t at the e1ense o* the )ar2er Co)on&es +h&)e0 the more

1o1u)ous Co)on&es sa+ the o11ortun&ty to 2a&n 2reater 'ontro) o8er an en)ar2e%

Nat&on.

T=E "


16/161

Par)&ament must a)+ays res&%e &n the =ouse o* Re1resentat&8es. On the other

han%0 those Po)&t&'&ans +ho sa+ the&r *uture &n the State Par)&aments %eman%e%

that the 'on'e1t o* Fe%erat&on +as the ma&n 1r&n'&1)e0 an% there*ore0 the Senate

must be on an e3ua) *oot&n2 +&th the =ouse o* Re1resentat&8es. Essent&a))y these

t+o 1o&nts o* 8&e+ are &n %&re't 'on*)&'t +&th one another an% th&s has 1ro8en to be

the 'ase r&2ht throu2h to the 1resent %ay. E8entua))y0 a 'om1rom&se +as rea'he%

an% a %ra*t Const&tut&on *ormu)ate%0 8ery mu'h *rom a )e2a)&st&' 1o&nt o* 8&e+0

%ue ma&n)y to the *our )a+yer1o)&t&'&ans &n8o)8e%.

These %om&nant 1art&'&1ants +ere0 S&r Samue) Gr&**&th *rom 6ueens)an%0 An%re+

C)ar4 *rom Tasman&a0 A)*re% $ea4&n *rom &'tor&a an% Char)es &n2ston *rom

South Austra)&a. Not one o* these *our em&nent 1eo1)e ha% the s)&2htest 'on'e1t o*

%emo'ra'y0 )et a)one any 'ons&%erat&on o* the 1eo1)es &n8o)8ement &n the

Const&tut&on. To these *our )a+yer1o)&t&'&ans0 the res1ons&b&)&t&es o* the 1eo1)e:

)ay &n t+o areas obey the )a+ an% 1ay taes. For the se)e'te% an% 3ua)&*&e% *e+0

they +ere 2&8en the 1r&8&)e2e o* 8ot&n2 *or 1o)&t&'&ans0 +hen a))o+e%0 an% to 8ote at

Re*eren%ums +hen su'h +ere 1erm&tte%.

A)) the rest o* the %e)&berat&ons &n %ra*t&n2 a Const&tut&on h&n2e%0 e')us&8e)y0 on

%e8&s&n2 a reasonab)e system o* Go8ernment that +ou)% 1ro8&%e a%e3uate

'ontro) an% *)e&b&)&ty *or the 1o)&t&'&ans. From th&s 1o&nt o* 8&e+0 they +ere h&2h)y

su''ess*u)0 as th&s *&rst %ra*t +as e8entua))y use% as the start&n2 1o&nt *or the

se'on% Const&tut&ona) Con8ent&on0 he)% )ater &n "embers +ou)% there*ore 8ote a''or%&n2 to the&r Party %&'tates

rather than &n the &nterest o* the&r State. Th&s &s a ')ear &n%&'tment o* the )e8e) o**ores&2ht 'onta&ne% +&th&n the bu)4 o* the $e)e2at&on0 as +e)) as be&n2 e8&%en'e o*

the &nab&)&ty o* the %e)e2ates to a11roa'h the +ho)e Const&tut&ona) 3uest&on +&th

any rea) measure o* o1en m&n%e%ness.

The *a't that the 1o+er an% &n*)uen'e o* Po)&t&'a) Part&es +as ')ear)y re'o2n&se%

&n "


17/161

Const&tut&on that a''urate)y0 an% honest)y0 %e*&ne% the true nature o* the 1o)&t&'a)

system they &nten%e% to a%o1t *or Austra)&a.

T=E PEOPLES OICE

A 3ua&nt: 1ro1osa) +as 1ut *or+ar% at the Con8ent&on to ha8e the Go8ernor

Genera) e)e'te% to the 1os&t&on. A)thou2h th&s 1ro1osa) %&% not eten% to the

unhear% o* su22est&on0 o* ha8&n2 the 1eo1)e 1art&'&1ate &n th&s e)e't&on0 &t +as0

ne8erthe)ess0 thro+n out as an u)tra%emo'rat&': mo8e an% re)e2ate% to noth&n2

more than nu&san'e 8a)ue. The res1onse to th&s 1ro1osa) &s an &n%&'at&on o* the

ty1e o* th&n4&n2 1re8a)ent at the Con8ent&on by most o* the re1resentat&8es0 an% &n

1art&'u)ar0 the )ea%&n2 re1resentat&8es su'h as S&r =enry Par4es an% S&r Samue)

Gr&**&th. Re1resentat&8e $emo'ra'y0 1eo1)es r&2hts an% &n8o)8ement &n the

%e8e)o1ment o* the Const&tut&on0 +ere s&m1)y not 1art o* the a2en%a an% ne8er

rea))y 'ame &nto the th&n4&n2 o* these0 so'a))e%0 )ea%ers o* So'&ety.

A *urther 1ro1osa) +as ra&se% to ha8e ea'h Co)ony subm&t the "


18/161

hen Par4es *a%e% *rom the s'ene0 E%mun% Barton too4 u1 the 3uest +&th a

1ersona) 'am1a&2n to broa%en the &nterest &n Fe%erat&on beyon% the boun%s o*

Co)on&a) Par)&aments. =&s tar2et +as the >urray a))ey area +here 1rob)ems o*

bor%er Customs an% tra%e )oome% )ar2e. The out'ome o* Bartons e**orts

e8entua))y resu)te% &n the *ormat&on o* some "7 bran'hes o* the Austra)&an

Fe%erat&on Lea2ue. As a resu)t o* th&s &nterest0 a 'on*eren'e +as he)% at Cora+a &n

the R&8er&na on the #"stJu)y an% "stAu2ust "e)bourne &n >ar'h "


19/161

June "

*ee)&n2s. For some &t +as a Dust&*&'at&on o* the&r stan% that the Const&tut&on +as not

a 1ro1er subDe't *or the 2enera) 1o1u)at&on. For those on the )os&n2: s&%e &t +as a

%&sa11o&ntment that the o11ortun&ty *or 1ub)&': &n8o)8ement -a)be&t on a

restr&'te% an% 3ua)&*&e% s'a)e/ +as seen as unsu''ess*u).

Un*ortunate)y0 the 1attern set *or th&s Re*eren%um has been use% re1eate%)y *or

e8ery Austra)&an Re*eren%um s&n'e. The 1ub)&': are o**ere% a s&m1)&*&e% 3uest&on

on +h&'h to re2&ster a yes or no 8ote. Th&s a8o&%s the ne'ess&ty o* ha8&n2 to

1ro8&%e the 'om1)ete %eta&)s o* the 1ro1ose% amen%ments an% a))o+s *or some

su1er*&'&a) an% s&m1)&st&' e1)anat&ons o* the 1ros an% 'ons o* the 1ro1osa).

Conse3uent)y0 the maDor&ty o* the 8oters are ne8er 2&8en a *u)) un%erstan%&n2 o*

the &m1)&'at&ons an% 'onse3uen'es )&4e)y to resu)t *rom the&r 8ote.

Th&s +as the 'ase &n "


20/161

st&)) %e')&ne%. The se'on% Re*eren%um su''ee%e% &n 2a&n&n2 the a11ro8e% number

o* a**&rmat&8e 8otes &n ea'h o* the 1art&'&1at&n2 Co)on&es. The re8&se% %ra*t

Const&tut&on +as then %e)&8ere% to the estm&nster Par)&ament &n Lon%on by a

*&8e man %e)e2at&on0 'om1r&s&n2 o* a re1resentat&8e *rom ea'h o* the Co)on&es

&n8o)8e%.

The En2)&sh Go8ernment %eman%e%0 an% 2ot o8er 9! amen%ments to the $ra*t

be*ore they +ere 1re1are% to subm&t &t to the&r Par)&ament. These amen%ments

%ea)t +&th the &ssues ra&se% by .A.0 %&re't)y to >r. Jose1h Chamber)a&n0 the

Se'retary o* State *or the Co)on&es0 as +e)) as &ssues %ea)&n2 +&th a11ea)s to the

Pr&8y Coun'&) &n the U.. The )atter amen%ments +ere %eeme% ne'essary *or the

1rote't&on o* Br&t&sh &nterests &n Austra)&a0 es1e'&a))y0 &n res1e't to *&nan'&a) &ssues.

The Austra)&an %e)e2at&on ha% no 'ho&'e but to a2ree to these 'han2es an% the

amen%e% %ra*t Const&tut&on +as *&na))y &n'or1orate% &nto a 'om1rehens&8e B&))

name%0 The Br&t&sh Co)ony o* the Common+ea)th o* Austra)&a Const&tut&on A't

",!! -U../. Th&s B&)) 'ons&sts o* n&ne 1arts o* +h&'h the n&nth Part &s hea%e% The

Const&tut&on:. Th&s n&nth Part o* the A't &s %&8&%e% &nto e&2ht Cha1ters0 1)us an

Intro%u't&on0 an% "< se1arate Se't&ons.

The e)&2&b)e: Austra)&an 1eo1)e +ere ne8er as4e% to a11ro8e the a)tere% %o'ument

be*ore &t +as ena'te% by the Br&t&sh Par)&ament on the ,th

Ju)y ",!!.

Th&s re8&se% an% una11ro8e% 8ers&on +as subse3uent)y 1ro')a&me% on January "st

",!"0 ma4&n2 Austra)&a a Fe%erate% 'o)ony o* Br&ta&n. Fun%amenta))y0 the 1resent

Const&tut&on &s an a2reement bet+een the0 so 'a))e% Or&2&na) States:0 -an% th&s

means the Par)&aments o* these States0 or Co)on&es as they then +ere/ to re)&n3u&sh

some o* the&r 1o+ers: &n *a8our o* the *ormat&on o* a 'entra) 1o+er: ent&ty to be

4no+n as the Fe%era) Common+ea)th Par)&ament. hat &s &m1ortant here &s to

re'o2n&se0 ea't)y0 the or&2&n o* th&s 1o+er: re*erre% to by the State Par)&aments0an% the Const&tut&on. A)) the ear)y Co)on&a) Go8ernments +or4e% on the

assum1t&on that 1o+er: +as 8este% &n the Go8ernment. hat th&s assum1t&on

&m1)&e% +as that &t +as the Go8ernment:s 1rero2at&8e0 the Go8ernment:s r&2ht

an% the Go8ernment:s res1ons&b&)&ty0 to 'ontro) the 1eo1)e:. E8en +&th the a%8ent

o* se)* 2o8ern&n2 Co)on&es0 th&s same 1h&)oso1hy +as 'arr&e% o8er to the ne+)y

*orme% Par)&aments. There +as no un&8ersa) *ran'h&se &n those %ays an%0 bas&'a))y0

on)y 1ro1erty o+ners +ere e)&2&b)e to 8ote on 'erta&n o''as&ons.

The other *a'tor that re*)e'te% the th&n4&n2 o* Par)&amentar&ans +as that0 a1art

*rom the Prem&ers an% S1ea4ers0 a)) the rest o* the >embers +ere un1a&%. As a

;


21/161

resu)t0 on)y men o* &n%e1en%ent means 'ou)% a**or% to stan% *or Par)&ament. The&r

&nterests0 there*ore0 )ay ma&n)y &n )oo4&n2 a*ter the&r o+n +e)*are an% ')ass

1r&8&)e2es rather than So'&ety as a +ho)e. It &s th&s sort o* ba'42roun%0 'ou1)e%

+&th the tra%&t&ona) ')ass out)oo4 &m1orte% *rom the&r En2)&sh her&ta2e0 +h&'h

*ostere% the 8&e+ o* the su1rema'y o* Par)&ament &n terms o* the o+nersh&1 o*

1o+er:.

T=E 6UESTION OF POER:

hen +e ta)4 o* 1o+er:0 +e are ta)4&n2 about &t &n a 1o)&t&'a) sense. As state%

abo8e0 the bottom )&ne &n res1e't to 1o)&t&'a) 1o+er: &s0 a)+ays0 'ontro) o* 1eo1)e

an% thus0 'ontro) o* the so'&ety. It &s noth&n2 more an% noth&n2 )ess.

Po)&t&'a) Po+er: &s a mean&n2)ess term +&thout 1eo1)eQ

I be)&e8e th&s 3uest&on o* 1o+er: 'an on)y be a%%resse% on the bas&s o* 1h&)oso1hy.

A so'&ety has to %e'&%e +hether &t +&shes to e&st on the bas&s o* ru)e o* )a+:0

anar'hy0 or ru)e by *or'e:. In us&n2 the term So'&ety:0 I mean the 1eo1)e ? not the

1o)&t&'&ans0 not Dust the ru)&n2 ')asses an% 'erta&n)y not the *&nan'&a) e)&te.

In theory0 $emo'ra'y &s su11ose% to be base% on ru)e o* )a+:0 but h&story0 both

1ast an% 1resent0 has sho+n that $emo'ra'y &s no 2uarantee that 2oo%: )a+ +&))

1re8a&). As has been 1ro8en t&me an% t&me a2a&n throu2hout =&story /ower0

corrupts and absolute 3/ower0 corrupts absolutely0. There are *e+er better eam1)es

o* th&s +hen Just&'e L&2htman a%m&tte% that the Austra)&an Pr&me >&n&ster0 John

&nston =o+ar%0 *)e+ to Lon%on an% 1ut 1ressure on h&m an% the Un&te%

&n2%om:s Court. Th&s &n'&%ent: o''urre% as a resu)t o* an a11ea) 1resente% on

beha)* o* a 2rou1 o* Austra)&an '&t&ens an% hear% bet+een January #"stan%

February "st!!7. A )e2a) team0 hea%e% by an em&nent Br&t&sh 6ueen:s Coun'&)

-6C/ an% &n')u%&n2 Austra)&an Barr&ster0 $a8&% F&t2&bbon 6C0 a11ea)e% a2a&nst

a %e'&s&on by >aster Ben'her Bo+man0 o* the Chan'ery $&8&s&on o* the Br&t&sh

=&2h Court. The or&2&na) 'ase +as a 'ha))en2e re2ar%&n2 the 8a)&%&ty o* =er

>aDestys t&t)e as 6ueen o* Austra)&a an% the &ssue o* Letters Patents *or the

a11o&ntment o* the Austra)&an Go8ernor Genera)s.

In )ate June o* !!50 >aster Ben'her Bo+man han%e% %o+n an0 asyet

un1ub)&she% =&2h Court Du%2ment0 a'4no+)e%2&n2 that there may be 1ro'e%ura)

*au)ts &n the 8&'ere2a) a11o&ntments 1ro'ess but &t +as an Austra)&an &ssue an%

1


22/161

not +&th&n the Dur&s%&'t&on o* the Br&t&sh Courts. $ur&n2 the a11ea) hear&n2 the

Br&t&sh Attorney Genera) subm&tte% that the a))e2at&ons +ere embarrass&n2 an%

shou)% be stru'4 out e8en thou2h no )e2a) ar2ument +as 1resente% to Dust&*y th&s

re3uest.

Just&'e L&2htman %&sm&sse% >r. F&t2&bbons a11ea) &n the *a'e o* the 1ressure

*rom John =o+ar%0 the then Austra)&an Pr&me >&n&ster0 an% +as )ater re1orte% to

say that he *a&)e% to %o the r&2ht th&n2.

Po+er: 'an be use% *or 2oo%: but0 most)y0 &t &s use% *or e8&): an% a2a&n0 th&s &s

am1)y 1ro8en h&stor&'a))y. Go8ernments an% re)&2&on ha8e been res1ons&b)e *or

more b)oo%she% o8er the a2es than any other e)ement o* so'&ety.

T=E CREATION OF T=E FE$ERATE$ COLONY OF

AUSTRALIA

Contrary to +hat &s 'urrent)y tau2ht an% be)&e8e% by a 2reat number o* 1eo1)e0

our Foun%&n2 Fathers +ere 3u&te ')ear &n the&r un%erstan%&n2 that0 to 3uote

=enry Par4es0 4ederation is not independence% 5t is a chance for the colonies more

effectively to unite with the Mother country in forming an 6mpire such as has never

yet been formed0%

Th&s 8&e+ +as a)so *&rm)y he)% by the other 1rom&nent 1art&'&1ants &n the

Fe%erat&on mo8ement &n')u%&n20 A)*re% $ea4&n0 Samue) Gr&**&th0 John Forrest

an% Char)es &n2ston. The Ph&)oso1hy o* Fe%erat&on +as0 there*ore0 'om1)ete)y

%&8or'e% *rom the 3uest&on o* In%e1en%en'e an% a)so *rom the 3uest&on o*

$emo'ra'y. &th the a%8ent o* the F&rst or)% ar &n ","50 &n2 Geor2e

o**&'&a))y %e')are% +ar on Germany on beha)* Great Br&ta&n an% &ts $om&n&ons0

&n')u%&n2 Austra)&a.

It &s 3u&te %e'e&t*u) to %es'r&be the Austra)&an Const&tut&on as a %emo'rat&':

%o'ument be'ause $emo'ra'y +as ne8er &ts mot&8at&on0 nor &ts a&m. The *a't that

'erta&n %emo'rat&': 1ra't&'es ha8e %e8e)o1e% o8er the years0 o+es mu'h more to

the Austra)&an 'hara'ter than to any 1art&'u)ar *ores&2ht0 or %&8&ne +&s%om0 on

the 1art o* the Foun%&n2 Fathers:.

One o* the most te))&n2 as1e'ts about the Austra)&an Const&tut&on &s the *a't that

$r. 6u&'4 an% S&r Robert Garren 1ub)&she% the&r Annotate% Const&tut&on o* the

Common+ea)th o* Austra)&a: &n ",!"0 an% %&% so &n "!!< 1a2es. Ob8&ous)y0 any

'onst&tut&ona) %o'ument that re3u&res "!!< 1a2es to he)1 e1)a&n &ts mean&n2 &s


23/161

8ery 1oor)y +r&tten. A)thou2h th&s 8o)ume has o*ten been use% as a re*eren'e0 &n

truth0 &t &s 1r&mar&)y a 'o))e't&on o* o1&n&ons: re)ate% to the 'o)on&a) an% &m1er&a)

th&n4&n2 o* the %ay. As +&th the Const&tut&on &tse)*0 that th&n4&n2 bears )&tt)e

re)e8an'e to the 1o)&t&'a) rea)&ty o* to%ay. Both o* those authors +ere &mmerse% &n

the estm&nster system an% they 8&e+e% the +or%s &n the Const&tut&on as

*&2urat&8e &n res1e't to %e*&n&n2 the&r mean&n2 &n the 'ontet o* that system.

As *or the 'onst&tut&on &tse)*0 &t &s )ar2e)y %e8o&% o* mean&n2*u) %e*&n&t&ons *or most

o* the term&no)o2y an% many o* the ent&t&es 'reate%.

C=APTER 5

T=E 6UEST FOR IN$EPEN$ENCE

As *ar ba'4 as "any 1eo1)e to%ay be)&e8e Austra)&a &s an In%e1en%ent nat&on0 but th&s &%ea o*

&n%e1en%en'e &s a'tua))y a rather 'om1)&'ate%0 un*&n&she% an% unsat&s*a'tory

story.

In "r. An%re+ F&sher0 the then Pr&me >&n&ster o*

Austra)&a0 a2ree%. The un3uest&onab)e 1roo* that our subser8&ent status to Br&ta&n

e&ste% throu2h to ","50 'omes *rom the *a't ment&one% abo8e0 that &n2 Geor2e

%e')are% +ar on our beha)* as the Br&t&sh $om&n&on o* Austra)&a.

D


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The F&rst or)% ar &s 1ortraye% as a 'ata)yst that )e% to a 8&rtua) or2an&'

trans*ormat&on o* Austra)&a *rom &ts Co)on&a)$om&n&on status to that o* a0

su11ose%)y0 In%e1en%ent Nat&on. Th&s o11ortun&ty 'ame about +&thout any

'on'erte% e**ort or &n&t&at&8e *rom the 2enera) 1ub)&'. In *a't0 r&2ht u1 to th&s %ay0

the 1ub)&' are 2enera))y una+are that any 1oss&b)e trans*ormat&on 'ou)% ha8e

ta4en 1)a'e0 )et a)one +hen an% ho+ &t m&2ht ha8e o''urre%. They are not a)one &n

th&s *&e)% as th&s same0 su11ose%0 )a'4 o* 4no+)e%2e an% un%erstan%&n2 a11)&es to

most 1o)&t&'&ans an% 8&rtua))y a)) the )e2a) *ratern&ty0 r&2ht throu2h to the =&2h

Court o* Austra)&a.

As a 1re)&m&nary to the *ormat&on o* the Lea2ue o* Nat&ons0 an Im1er&a) ar

Con*eren'e +as he)% &n Lon%on %ur&n2 ",";. Br&ta&n a2ree%0 +&th the su11ort o*

oo%ro+ &)son0 the Pres&%ent o* the Un&te% States0 that Pr&me >&n&ster =u2hes

an% h&s $e1uty0 S&r Jose1h Coo40 shou)% s&2n the Lea2ue o* Nat&ons Treaty on

beha)* o* Austra)&a0 as an &n%e1en%ent so8ere&2n Nat&on. Th&s &n8&tat&on to Do&n the

Lea2ue o* Nat&ons as a *oun%&n2 member &n ",",0 shou)% ha8e been the 8eh&')e

that 'han2e% our status *rom a $om&n&on o* Br&ta&n to the &n%e1en%ent Nat&on +e

+ere su11ose% to be.

The Lea2ue o* Nat&ons Treaty +as s&2ne% on June


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1o)&t&'&ans om&t *orma)&s&n2 our &n%e1en%en'e *rom Br&ta&n they a)so0

'on8en&ent)y0 or &2norant)y0 om&tte% to &n*orm the 2enera) 1ub)&' o* Austra)&a that

they +ere no+0 su11ose% to be0 o**&'&a))y &n%e1en%ent.

That our status0 8&s a 8&s Br&ta&n0 ha% 'han2e% +as re'o2n&se%0 u1 to a 1o&nt0 by

the net Pr&me >&n&ster0 Stan)ey Bru'e. In ",#0 he to)% the Br&t&sh Go8ernment0

#e have to try to ensure there shall be an 6mpire foreign policy which, if we are to

be in any way responsible for it, must be one to which we agree and have assented% 5f

we are to take any responsibility for the 6mpire7s foreign policy, there must be a

better system, so that we may be consulted and have a better opportunity to express

the views of the people of this country% #e cannot blindly submit to any policy which

may involve us in war%0

A2a&n0 &t a11ears ob8&ous that ne&ther Bru'e or h&s Go8ernment0 nor anyone e)se

&n the Common+ea)th Par)&ament0 ha% any 'on'e1t&on o* +hat +as re3u&re% to

'ement the true s&2n&*&'an'e o* Austra)&as a)tere% status emanat&n2 *rom

membersh&1 &n the Lea2ue o* Nat&ons. In%e1en%en'e at that t&me &n h&story +as

ne8er a 1ub)&')y or&ente% 2oa) nor +as &t an &ssue mot&8ate% by 1ub)&' or 1o)&t&'a)

sent&ment0 Dust as &t +as ne8er the un%er)y&n2 1ur1ose o* membersh&1 +&th the

Lea2ue o* Nat&ons. In a te'hn&'a) sense0 Austra)&a 2a&ne% her 1seu%o In%e1en%en'e

as a So8ere&2n Nat&on by %e*au)t. ery *e+ 1eo1)e at that t&me0 or no+0 re'o2n&se%

the rea) s&2n&*&'an'e o* th&s e8ent or ha8e ha% the &n&t&at&8e to ta4e the 1ro1er )e2a)

a't&on re3u&re% to 'ert&*y th&s &n%e1en%en'e.

The *a't that &t +as not re'o2n&se% *or +hat &t tru)y +as0 an% the *a't that &t +as

ne8er 1ro1er)y an% )e2a))y *orma)&se%0 &n no +ay %etra'ts *rom the rea)&ty that &t

%&% ha11en an% +e 'ou)% ha8e be'ome an &n%e1en%ent an% so8ere&2n Nat&on0

e**e't&8e *rom June &n&ster.

They 'hose to &2nore a)) o* th&s an% then +r&te &n #, ')auses a))o+&n2 1ar)&ament to

'han2e the Const&tut&on at the&r +h&m an% by1ass&n2 the nee% o* 2o&n2 to the

1eo1)e. In th&s res1e't0 the Amer&'an Const&tut&on &s no %&**erent ? an% &t &s

be'ause o* th&s snea4y un%erhan% e**ort by Po)&t&'&ans0 +ho +rote both

%o'uments0 that the Const&tut&ons ha8e been man&1u)ate% to the etent they ha8e

been.

B


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T=E AFTER>AT= AN$ T=E FARCE

The subse3uent a't&ons an% &na't&ons o* a)) Pr&me >&n&sters s&n'e ",", re1resents

an on2o&n2 %ere)&'t&on o* the&r 1ro1er %uty +h&'h has no+ resu)te% &n a

monumenta) )e2a) 3ua2m&re.

In the &nter8en&n2 years0 a number o* attem1ts ha8e been ma%e to thro+ a ')oa4 o*

)e2a)&ty o8er the e8ents o* ",",0 but a)+ays un%er the 'are*u))y h&%%en subter*u2e

o* re*us&n2 to a'4no+)e%2e our &n%e1en%en'e. A11arent)y0 the 8ery %o'ument

author&s&n2 the %e)e2ates o* the $om&n&ons to be a11o&nte% as 1)en&1otent&ar&es0

that &s0 as re1resentat&8es o* *u))y &n%e1en%ent Nat&ons0 &s sa&% to ha8e been +r&tten

as a se'ret %o'ument +&th a nom&na) #! year non%&s')osure atta'hment. I* th&s

%o'ument %oes e&st0 I ha8e been unab)e to )o'ate &t. The *&rst *ar'&'a) attem1t to

try an% *orma)&se Austra)&a:s &n%e1en%en'e: *rom Br&ta&n +as the Statute o*

estm&nster0 %ra+n u1 &n ",#". Th&s +as a resu)t o* 8ar&ous reso)ut&ons 1asse% by

Im1er&a) Con*eren'es &n ",9 an% ",#!0 an% be'ause &t +as a statute that ha% to be

1asse% by the Br&t&sh Par)&ament0 &t &s *urther 1roo* that Austra)&a rema&ne%

un%er the aus1&'es o* Br&ta&n. Le2a))y0 the Statute o* estm&nster +as an

Internat&ona) arran2ement: &n8o)8&n2 Austra)&a0 Cana%a0 South A*r&'a an% Ne+

ea)an%0 an% un%er Art&')e III o* the Lea2ue o* Nat&ons Co8enant0 &t ha% to be

re2&stere% +&th them to be'ome 8a)&%.

Th&s +as ne8er %one *or ob8&ous reasonsQ

The Austra)&an Go8ernment0 e8entua))y0 a%o1te% s1e'&*&' 1arts o* th&s Statute &n

",50 but the *a't that the Statute &tse)* +as ne8er re2&stere% +&th the Lea2ue0

meant that the A%o1t&on A't0 as 1asse% by the Common+ea)th Par)&ament0 +as

a)so &n8a)&% &n )a+. The A%o1t&on A't &tse)* &s *urther *)a+e% by 8&rtue o* &ts

re)&an'e on Roya) Assent by the 6ueen o* En2)an% +ho0 &n terms o* Art&')e III

o* the Lea2ue o* Nat&ons Co8enant0 re1resente% a *ore&2n 1o+er. =y1o'r&t&'a))y0Br&ta&n 'on'e%e% &t no )on2er ha% any Dur&s%&'t&on o8er the0 su11ose%)y0 so8ere&2n

an% &n%e1en%ent Common+ea)th o* Austra)&a but st&)) re3u&re% )e2&s)at&on to be

a11ro8e% by the 6ueen:s re1resentat&8e &n Austra)&a.

In rea)&ty0 a)) these manoeu8r&n2s +ere essent&a))y *ut&)e &n a )e2a) sense be'ause0

the on)y 1ro1er0 an% )e2a) 'ourse o* a't&on0 +as *or Austra)&a to a%o1t a ne+

Const&tut&on 'om1)ete)y &n%e1en%ent o* the Un&te% &n2%om.

G&8en the %ay an% a2e &n +h&'h the rea))y monumenta) e8ents o* ",", o''urre%0

an% e8en thou2h they o''urre% 8&rtua))y by a''&%ent0 the 1h&)oso1h&' *oun%at&ons

o* the 1o)&t&'a) thou2ht at th&s t&me0 1re')u%e% the 1oss&b&)&ty o* %ra*t&n2 a ne+

E


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Const&tut&on. Su'h an a't&on 1ro8e% beyon% the 'on'e1t&on or 1o)&t&'a) rea)&ty o*

the %ay. The menta)&ty o* the t&mes +ou)% ne8er ha8e been ab)e to stret'h to

%&8or'&n2 our t&es +&th the >other 'ountry:. Conse3uent)y0 *uture 2enerat&ons

are )e*t to sort out the mess.

T=E UNSEE>LY CONTRIANCE

It &s har% to *athom the mot&8at&on beh&n% the ne2ot&ators at the Im1er&a)

Con*eren'es o* ",9 an% ",#! &n %e8e)o1&n2 the or&2&na) reso)ut&ons )ea%&n2 u1 to

the *ormu)at&on o* the Statute o* estm&nster. In one stro4e o* the 1en0 they ha8e

tr&e% to abo)&sh 'entur&es o* &nher&te% tra%&t&ona) h&story that *orms the ba'4bone

o* e8ery sa*e2uar% bu&)t &nto the %e8e)o1ment o* Br&t&sh Common La+. C)ause o*

th&s Statute &s an abso)ute abom&nat&on o* the *&rst or%er.

The &n')us&on o* the +or%s .o law and no provision of any law made after the

commencement of this Act by the /arliament of a =ominion shall be void or

inoperative on the ground that it is repugnant to the law of 6ngland $$$$$ etc%0

E**e't&8e)y0 th&s %en&es e8ery 1art&'&1at&n2 $om&n&on 1rote't&on o* the Great

Charters o* Br&t&sh Common La+ h&story. It &s one th&n2 to 1ro')a&m

In%e1en%en'e0 +h&'h &s +hat the Statute +as 1ur1ort&n2 to %o0 but &t &s 3u&te

another th&n2 to a't )&4e s1&te*u) 1arents an% %eny the 1eo1)es o* these ne+0

su11ose%)y &n%e1en%ent nat&ons0 the r&2hts an% *ree%oms +on so ar%uous)y o8er

the 'entur&es by the&r *orebears.

Th&s C)ause shou)% ha8e been +r&tten a)on2 the )&nes .o law and no provision of

any law made after the commencement of this Act by the /arliament of a =ominion

shall deny, or rescind, the principles laid down in the !reat 8harters of &ritish ;egal

heritage unless approved at referendum by the people of the =ominion0%

The 2reat tra%&t&ons &n8o)8e% &n the %e8e)o1ment o* Br&t&sh Common La+ her&ta2e

re1resent the best *oun%at&on o* any )e2a) system &n the +or)% to%ay.They are *ar too 1re'&ous to Dett&son an% 1ut at r&s4 the &nher&te% r&2hts an%

*ree%oms o* the 1eo1)es +&thout attem1t&n2 to &n')u%e some 2uarantees. Br&t&sh

La+ &s *oun%e% on the&r Great Charters0 su'h as0 the >a2na Carta0 the B&)) o*

R&2hts o* "9


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Statute to be'ome 8a)&% &t ha% to be subm&tte% to a nat&on +&%e Re*eren%um as 1er

C)ause "< o* the Const&tut&on. As e8ery )e2a) an% 1o)&t&'a) author&ty 4no+s0 th&s

+as ne8er %one an% that ma4es the Statute u)tra 8&res: as *ar as &ts Austra)&an

)e2a) 8a)&%&ty 2oes. The =&2h Court0 the )e2a) *ratern&ty an% e8ery Pr&me >&n&ster

s&n'e ",5 ha8e been %ere)&'t &n the&r %uty by re*us&n2 to a'4no+)e%2e that th&s

statute %oes attem1t to a)ter the Austra)&an Const&tut&on0 an% there*ore0 must be

1resente% to the Austra)&an 1eo1)e *or the&r Du%2ement.

C=APTER 7

T=E UNSAOURY CREATION OF T=E 6UEEN OF AUSTRALIA

The 1rob)em o* Austra)&a:s 3uas& &n%e1en%en'e *rom Br&ta&n has been an

unreso)8e% %&)emma *or a)) Go8ernments s&n'e ",",.

Austra)&a has a Roya) Sty)es an% T&t)e A't +h&'h0 &n ",7#0 ')ear)y &%ent&*&es the

>onar'h as06li>abeth the econd, by the !race of !od of the 9nited :ingdom,

Australia and ?er other +ealms and Territories, @ueen, ?ead of the

8ommonwealth, =efender of the 4aith0%

As ment&one% abo8e0 a''or%&n2 to Art&')e III o* the Lea2ue o* Nat&ons

Co8enant0 the 6ueen &s the =ea% o* a *ore&2n 1o+er: an%0 ne&ther she0 nor her

Go8ernment0 'an ha8e any Dur&s%&'t&on o8er a0 su11ose%)y0 &n%e1en%ent Austra)&a.

Th&s &s ')ear)y a )u%&'rous s&tuat&on be'ause +e +ere st&)) t&e% to Br&ta&n:s a1ron

str&n2s0 as the ",onar'h an% 'reat&n2

a 6ueen o* Austra)&a. They 1ur1orte% to %o th&s at the stro4e o* a 1en0 +&thout any

*orma) 'oronat&on or s+ear&n2&n 'eremony. =o+e8er0 then as no+0 th&s a11roa'h

&s *rau2ht +&th 1rob)ems be'ause0 any monar'h so a11o&nte%0 nee%s to be

'oronate% an% to s+ear a))e2&an'e to the 1eo1)e o* Austra)&a ? or the Const&tut&on0

at the 8ery )east. For 6ueen E)&abeth II o* the U to %o th&s +ou)% re3u&re her to

s+ear a))e2&an'e to t+o se1arate 'ountr&es an% 1)a'e her &n an &nto)erab)e 1os&t&on

as *ar as her Br&t&sh subDe'ts are 'on'erne%. O* 'ourse0 su'h a 'oronat&on ne8er

ha11ene%0 e8en thou2h0 the ",7# A't +as amen%e% by Par)&ament to be'ome the


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",;# Roya) Sty)es an% T&t)es A't. E8en &* the 'han2e o* the 6ueen:s t&t)e to 6ueen

o* Austra)&a: ha% been rat&*&e% at Re*eren%um0 +h&'h &t ne8er +as0 an% the

Const&tut&on %u)y amen%e%0 &t st&)) 'ou)% not estab)&sh Austra)&a:s &n%e1en%en'e. A

*urther 'om1)&'at&on o''urs &n re)at&on to the ",7# Roya) Po+ers A't0 +h&'h st&))

re)ates to 6ueen E)&abeth II o* the U as the )e2&t&mate he&r to 6ueen &'tor&a0

+ho assente% to the or&2&na) Const&tut&on A't. The ",7# Roya) Po+ers A't has

ne8er been amen%e% to 'o8er the *&'t&t&ous 6ueen o* Austra)&a:.

Th&s +ho)e *ar'&'a) eer'&se %oes ra&se a number o* other 3uest&ons. =o+ 'an a

2rou1 o*0 su11ose%)y0 &nte))&2ent an% rat&ona) 'ommoners: be)&e8e they 'an 'reate

a roya) 1ersona2e s&m1)y by +r&t&n2 &t %o+n on a 1&e'e o* 1a1er@

$&% they sto1 to th&n4 *or a moment0 +hat +as to 1re8ent any *uture Go8ernment

*rom %e')ar&n2 the&r Pr&me >&n&ster a &n2 or 6ueen o* Austra)&a@

The +ho)e eer'&se &s so )u%&'rous &t shou)% be 'ons&%ere% a Do4e &n 8ery 1oor taste

&* &t +asn:t ta4en so ser&ous)y by the 1eo1)e +ho shou)% ha8e more sense.

C)ear)y0 as ment&one% abo8e0 that 'han2e o* t&t)e re1resente% another *un%amenta)

amen%ment to the Const&tut&on an% nee%e% to be 1ut to re*eren%um to estab)&sh &ts

8a)&%&ty.

I* th&s +ere0 &n any +ay0 a )e2&t&mate a't&on0 &t o1ens u1 a )e2a) 'an o* +orms

be'ause the Br&t&sh Cro+n &s %e1en%ent on the Par)&amentary A't o* Sett)ement

o* ";!" *or &ts )e2&t&ma'y.

Far *rom be&n2 a >onar'hy base% on %&8&ne r&2ht0 the Br&t&sh >onar'hy &s

'om1)ete)y %e1en%ent on an A't o* Par)&ament that 'an be re1ea)e% at any t&me by

the Go8ernment o* the %ay. hat +ou)% Austra)&a:s 1os&t&on be &*0 one %ay0 the

U %e'&%e% to be'ome a Re1ub)&' an% Dett&son the Roya) *am&)y@

=o+e8er0 a1art *rom that hy1othet&'a) 3uest&on0 the &n2s or 6ueens o* En2)an%

%o ha8e some h&stor&'a) )e2&t&ma'y to su11ort the&r e&sten'e0 but a >onar'h o* an&n%e1en%ent Austra)&a has no su'h )e2&t&ma'y. The )e2a) *ratern&ty ha8e bent o8er

ba'4+ar%s to a''ommo%ate th&s r&%&'u)ous a't&on by the&r 1o)&t&'a) masters an%

they ha8e %one so by reDe't&n2 any semb)an'e o* 'ommonsense. They ha8e

resorte% to the myst&'&sm o* )e2a)ese an% tr&e% to shrou% the &ssue &n an

&m1enetrab)e ')oa4 o* 'om1)e an% m&s)ea%&n2 Dar2on. The truth o* the s&tuat&on &s

that th&s 6ueen o* Austra)&a %oes not ha8e 1erm&ss&on to ho)% the Ee'ut&8e

Author&ty ne'essary to ma4e a11o&ntments an% )e2a))y 8a)&%ate any Austra)&an

)a+s. She 'erta&n)y +as not 2&8en that 1erm&ss&on by the Austra)&an 1eo1)e0 an%

D;


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she %oes NOT ha8e that 1erm&ss&on un%er the U A't0 the Common+ea)th o*

Austra)&a Const&tut&on A't -U/ ",!!.

E8en un%er s1e'&*&' U )e2&s)at&on0 she &s on)y a))o+e% to be 4no+n as the 6ueen

o* another 'ountry &* the *ore&2n 1o)&'y o* that 'ountry &s 'ontro))e% by the Un&te%

&n2%om Par)&ament.

6u&te ')ear)y0 Austra)&an *ore&2n 1o)&'y &s NOT 'ontro))e% by the U 1ar)&ament

so0 the 6ueen CANNOT be 4no+n as the 6ueen o* Austra)&a un%er re3u&rements

o* her o+n )a+s. To any norma) 'ommonsense 1erson0 the &ssue &s s&m1)e nobo%y

&n th&s %ay an% a2e0 'an 'reate a >onar'h at the stro4e o* a 1en. E8en &* they

'ou)%0 &t +ou)% amount to a maDor 'han2e to the e&st&n2 Austra)&an Const&tut&on0

an% as ment&one% abo8e0 that 'ou)% on)y be )e2&t&m&se% throu2h a Re*eren%um.

C=APTER 9

T=E 6UESTION OF T=E GOERNOR GENERAL:S

APPOINT>ENT

As state% abo8e0 e8ery Austra)&an Go8ernment s&n'e ",", has *a'e% th&s

unsat&s*a'tory %&)emma re2ar%&n2 our su11ose% &n%e1en%en'e0 an% &t rema&ns

unreso)8e%0 e8en to%ay. As +&th so many other anoma)&es re)at&n2 to the

Austra)&an Const&tut&on0 the a11o&ntment o* the State Go8ernors an%0 more

&m1ortant)y0 the Go8ernor Genera)0 ha8e to be ma%e un%er the author&ty o* +hat

&s 'a))e%0 a Letters Patent0 s&2ne% by the >onar'h o* the Rea)m. A)) a11o&ntments

to the o**&'e o* Go8ernor Genera) u1 to ",


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be*ore &t 'an be'ome )a+. In ",&n&ster0 +ent to

Ba)mora) Cast)e an% a%8&se%: the 6ueen o* Austra)&a: to en%orse an Ee'ut&8e

Instrument &n the *orm o* an Austra)&an Letters Patent. =a+4e +as 'erta&n)y

a+are there +as a 3uest&on about the )e2&t&ma'y o* the Go8ernor Genera):s

a11o&ntment an% the )a'4 o* 1ro1er )e2a) author&ty. =e as4e% the *&'t&t&ous)y

'reate% 6ueen o* Austra)&a0 to use the Great Sea) o* Austra)&a an% author&se a ne+

Letters Patent. Th&s +as an attem1t to a8o&% the r&s4 o* ha8&n2 the Go8ernor

Genera):s a11o&ntment 'ha))en2e%. e8&n Ru%% subse3uent)y 8&s&te% the sa&%

6ueen: &n !!


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actual occupation or en1oyment in their own /ersons or in the /ersons of their

=escendants of any ;and therein now actually occupied or en1oyed by such .atives%0

As +&th so many other th&n2s &n the ear)y h&story o* Austra)&a0 th&s 'on%&t&on +as

s&m1)y &2nore% an% ne8er en*or'e% &n any 1ra't&'a) +ay.

A$$ITIONAL FARCICAL ATTE>PTS

Un*ortunate)y0 most 1eo1)e )abour un%er the m&s'on'e1t&on that the Austra)&an

Const&tut&on &s someho+ a sa*e2uar% *or the Austra)&an 1eo1)e. ery *e+ 1eo1)e

seem to ha8e any &%ea about the so 'a))e% (or&2&na) s1&r&t an% &ntentH o* the

Const&tut&on.

In essen'e0 as ment&one% abo8e0 &t &s noth&n2 more than a a2reement %ra+n u1

bet+een the then Co)on&es as to ho+ they m&2ht re)&n3u&sh 'erta&n o* the&r

(1o+ersH ? mean&n2 (1o+ers to 'ontro) 1eo1)eH ? an% trans*er these to a 'entra)

Go8ernment. There &s abso)ute)y no 'on'e1t o* th&s %o'ument be&n2 &n any +ay a

%e')arat&on *or the estab)&shment o* a %emo'rat&' so'&ety ? &n *a't0 the 8ery

thou2ht o* a11)y&n2 any s&2n&*&'ant %emo'rat&' 1r&n'&1)es to the Const&tut&on +as

strenuous)y0 an% su''ess*u))y0 ar2ue% a2a&nst.

The on)y rea) sa*e2uar% the 1eo1)e o* Austra)&a ha8e a2a&nst the&r Po)&t&'&ans &s

that 'onta&ne% &n the 8ar&ous State Const&tut&ons. Un%er the Fe%erat&on system0

ea'h State Const&tut&on rema&ne% the 1r&mary )a+ *or the &n%&8&%ua) '&t&ens o* the

Common+ea)th an% ea'h State Const&tut&on0 +&thout e'e1t&on0 +as )&m&te% to

ma4&n2 )a+s that +ere not (re1u2nant to the )a+s o* Br&ta&nH. hat th&s meant

+as0 no State 'ou)% ma4e a )a+ that +as &n 'on*)&'t +&th the Great Charters o*

Br&t&sh =&story an% the hu2e bo%y o* Br&t&sh Common )a+ bu&)t u1 o8er the

'entur&es. Those &m1ortant 'harters0 as )&ste% abo8e0 &n')u%e% the >a2na Carta0

the r&t o* =abeas Cor1us an% the B&)) o* R&2hts amon2st others. A)) thesem&)estones &n the %e8e)o1ment o* Br&t&sh La+ a11)&e% e3ua))y to e8ery Austra)&an

'&t&en. The States 'ou)% not0 an% %&% not0 re)&n3u&sh th&s res1ons&b&)&ty to the

Common+ea)th Go8t. throu2h the a%o1t&on o* a Common+ea)th Const&tut&ona)

a2reement.

The on2o&n2 )e2a) an% 1o)&t&'a) %&s3u&et o8er Austra)&a:s true 1os&t&on0 8&s a: 8&s0

the Un&te% &n2%om0 )e% *&rst0 to the Statute o* estm&nster ",#"0 +h&'h +as

e8entua))y a%o1te%0 &n 1art0 by Austra)&a &n ",5. That A't %&% try to remo8e the

sa*e2uar%s 'o8ere% by Br&t&sh Common La+0 but as &t +as ne8er en%orse% at a

re*eren%um0 &ts 1ro8&s&ons are0 &n truth0 u)tra 8&res. A subse3uent attem1t to

DD


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')ar&*y Austra)&a:s status +as &n&t&ate% +&th the 'reat&on o* the Austra)&a A't o*

",


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'ons&%ere% an A't o* a so8ere&2n an% &n%e1en%ent nat&on: &s beyon% rat&ona)

e1)anat&on.

But then0 +ho e8er 'ons&%ere% 1o)&t&'s0 or the )a+0 to be base% on reason or )o2&'@

Tra2&'a))y0 the =&2h Court o* Austra)&a has ma%e abso)ute)y no attem1t to

%eman% Par)&ament 1ut the A't to a re*eren%um o* the 1eo1)e. L&4e the Statute o*

estm&nster0 the Austra)&a A't %oes0 un3uest&onab)y0 a)ter the Austra)&an

Const&tut&on an% &t &s a 'om1)ete %ere)&'t&on o* %uty0 bor%er&n2 on treason0 *or the

=&2h Court to a''e1t &t:s )e2&t&ma'y &n any +ay.

The other )&tt)e &nterest&n2 anoma)y 'onta&ne% &n Se't&on 7" 8&&& &s the re*eren'e

to a Fe%era) Coun'&) o* Austra)as&a. A1art *rom the *a't su'h a Coun'&) no )on2er

e&sts0 &t sho+s ho+ out%ate% the Const&tut&on rea))y &s. The Coun'&) %&% meet e&2ht

t&mes bet+een "


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'audron != oes 1 (;;;i;) taDe ou the distanceB +t is either under the implied

nationhood power or it is not, is it notB

9r 5ennett= Ees* Eour 7onour, ection 1(;;;i;) can e read,5 suppose, as >an

power0 as includin% an or all powers0*

Th&s &s a *&ne eam1)e o* ho+ the =&2h Court o* Austra)&a arr&8es at %e'&s&ons

%er&8e% *rom e8&%en'e: base% on su11os&t&on an% &m1)&'at&on.

As an assent&n2 Ju%2e &n the abo8e 'ase0 Just&'e Gau%ron 'ommente%0 3he

e$olutionar theor is, with respect, a theor to e re%arded with %reat caution* +n

propoundin% it, neither the petitioners nor the Commonwealth identif a date upon

which the e$olution ecame complete, in the sense that, as and from it, the nited

in%dom was a forei%n power* or could the point to an statute, historical

occurrence or e$ent which necessaril concluded the process0*

Just&'e Ca))&nan a%%e%0 he %reat concern aout an e$olutionar theor of this Dind

is the dout to which it %i$es rise with respect to peoplesG ri%hts, status and oli%ations

as this case shows* he truth is that the definin% e$ent in practice will, and can onl e

a decision of this Court rulin% that the e$olutionar process is complete, and here, as

the petitioners and the Commonwealth accept, has een complete for some

unascertained and unascertainale time in the past*

+n realit, a decision of this Court upon that asis would chan%e the law holdin%that, notwithstandin% that the Constitution did not treat the nited in%dom as a

forei%n power at Federation and for some time thereafter, it ma and should do so

now0*

It &s %&sa11o&nt&n2 that Just&'e Ca))&nan &s on)y 'on'erne% that the 1et&t&oners an%

the Common+ea)th: a''e1t th&s r&%&'u)ous theory &n or%er to estab)&sh &ts

)e2&t&ma'y an%0 at the same t&me0 *un%amenta))y a)ter the Const&tut&on. Just&'e

Ca))&nan %oes not seem at a)) 'on'erne% +&th the o1&n&on o* the 1)a&nt&** an%0 by&n*eren'e0 the 1eo1)e o* Austra)&a. hat &s a11a))&n2 &s the %e2ree o* arro2an'e

%&s1)aye% by Just&'e Ca))&nan &n ')a&m&n2 that Austra)&a:s &n%e1en%en'e %e1en%s

on a =&2h Court ru)&n2 +hen0 ')ear)y0 that %e'&s&on &s ent&re)y &n the han%s o* the

1eo1)e.

As ment&one% abo8e0 Just&'e &rby &s on the re'or% &n th&s Sue 8 =&)) 'ase +hen he

remar4e%0 35 know this is an eccentric and personal view but 5 have always

wondered what the 9: /arliament was doing enacting law in '*) in relation to

Australia0%

DB


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Th&s )ast 'omment 'on*&rms that the a11)&'at&on o* reason an% )o2&'0 as a11)&e% to

)e2a) ar2ument0 &s 'ons&%ere% an e''entr&': a11roa'h.

C=APTER atters0 to )oo4 &nto the ",,< Fe%era) E)e't&on.

Th&s +as 1rom1te% by the *ear o* ha8&n2 a One Nat&on member e)e'te% to the

Senate. The &n3u&ry +as a&me% at '&r'um8ent&n2 the %&s3ua)&*&'at&on a11)&'ab)e to

s&tt&n2 members ha8&n2 %ua) nat&ona)&ty un%er that se't&on o* the Const&tut&on.

The or&2&na) 1ur1ose o* th&s subse't&on &s to 1rote't the 1ar)&amentary system by

e)&m&nat&n2 'an%&%ates +hose 1er*orman'e m&2ht be a**e'te% by a 'on*)&'t o*

)oya)ty. The &n3u&ry *e)t th&s 1ro8&s&on +as0 widely considered to be no longer

relevant in meeting this end%0

The L&bera) Party 1ro1ose% that the act of nomination by a candidate for the

?ouse of +epresentatives or enate should be recognised as immediately

extinguishing any allegiance to a foreign country0,an% the Go8ernment a11o&nte%

Comm&ttee a2ree%. One o* the o**&'&a) re'ommen%at&ons o* the Comm&ttee +as

3That, given adequate public support, a referendum be held to amend the

8onstitution so that the act of nomination by a candidate for the ?ouse of

+epresentatives or enate be recognised as immediately extinguishing any allegiance

to a foreign country provided the candidate is also an Australian citi>en0%

O* 'ourse0 a)) the Par)&amentar&ans 4ne+ that su'h a 1ro1ose% amen%ment +ou)%ne8er su''ee% at a Re*eren%um so0 the &ssue +as she)8e%.

In a >&nor&ty Re1ort0 $emo'rat Senators A. Bart)ett an% A. >urray sa&% that0

ection%DD (i" of the 8onstitution be replaced by a requirement that all candidates be

Australian citi>ens and meet any further requirements set by the /arliament%%%%0%Th&s

'han2e +ou)% a)so re3u&re a Re*eren%um0 an% a2a&n0 e8eryone 4ne+ &t +ou)%

ne8er su''ee%. an% &t too0 +as s'ra11e%.

=o+e8er0 that %&% not reso)8e the 1rob)em o* the One Nat&on 'an%&%ate be&n2

e)e'te% to the Senate so0 'onse3uent)y0 that &ssue +as han%e% o8er to the =&2h

Court. Th&s 1art&'u)ar 'ase be'ame 4no+n as Sue 8 =&)) an% the Court *oun% &n

DE


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*a8our o* the 1et&t&oners +&th a s1)&t %e'&s&on0 *our to three. They %e'&%e% that the

U +as0 &n%ee%0 a *ore&2n 1o+er: an% thereby %en&e% =eather =&)) her e)e't&on to

the Senate0 e8en thou2h she +as an Austra)&an '&t&en but ha%n:t 'om1)ete% the

renun'&at&on o* her Br&t&sh '&t&ensh&1.

Se't&on 55 -&/ o* the Const&tut&on &s 3u&te s1e'&*&' +hen %ea)&n2 +&th

%&s3ua)&*&'at&on o* members &n the =ouses o* Par)&ament. Se't&on 55-&/ states

An person who

(i) is under an acDnowled%ement of alle%iance, oedience, or adherence to a forei%n

power, or is a su


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In accordance with the recent rulin of the &ih Court in the Sue v &ill case 1&CA D; Drd. iernan Ireland2r. +hillip 4arresi Italy2r. Con Sciacca Italy2r. Christian ahra 2alta2rs indomSen. Chris vans =nited >indom2r. 2artyn vans =nited >indomSen. 4renda ibbs =nited >indom2s. indomSen. Susan 2ackay =nited >indomSen. Andrew 2urray =nited >indomSen. indomSen. /ick Sherry =nited >indom2r. 5obert Charles =nited States

I shall await your reply with interest.

Jours truly,

raham 7. +aterson

Nee%)ess to say0 I ne8er re'e&8e% a re1)y nor +as any a't&on ta4en a2a&nst any o*

the members )&ste%.

In the abo8e )etter0 my re*eren'e to (ho)%&n2 the ta1ayer to 'ons&%erab)e

)&ab&)&tyH re)ate% to Se't&on 59 +h&'h *o))o+s on *rom Se't&on 55 an% 1ro8&%es the

1ena)t&es *or s&tt&n2 +hen %&s3ua)&*&e%.

D


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Se't&on 59 rea%s 9ntil /arliament otherwise provides,an person declared this

Constitution to e ineli%ile of sittin% as a senator or as a memer of the 7ouse of

epresentati$es shall, for e$er da on which he so sits, e liale to pa the sum of one

hundred pounds to an person who sues for it in an court of competent


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The Go8ernment re)&e% on the =&2h Court to %eny =eather =&)) her seat &n the

Senate be'ause she re1resente% the One Nat&on Party0 but they %e')&ne% to 'arry

o8er the ru)&n2 to e&st&n2 s&tt&n2 members. As a resu)t0 those members ha8en:t

been %e')are% %&s3ua)&*&e%0 as they shou)% ha8e been &* the Go8ernment ha% a'te%

1ro1er)y an% honest)y.

An a't&on &s st&)) theoret&'a))y 1oss&b)e0 but &t +ou)% be a 8ery e1ens&8e eer'&se

an%0 &n a)) )&4e)&hoo%0 the =&2h Court +ou)% re*use to hear any 'ha))en2e un%er

Se't&on 55-&/ o* the Const&tut&on. A)thou2h the Court &s not ob)&2e% to 2&8e reasons

*or re*us&n2 to hear a 'ase0 they +ou)% 1robab)y ta4e that a't&on on the 2roun%s &t

may r&s4 br&n2&n2 %o+n the Go8ernment &* the members +ere *or'e% to 8a'ate

the&r o**&'e. That o* 'ourse0 &s not a )e2a) ar2ument0 but )e2a)&ty %oes not a11ear to

be an &ssue that h&n%ers =&2h Court %e'&s&on ma4&n2.

C=APTER ,

T=E 6UESTIONABLE ACTIONS OF T=E =IG= COURT OF

AUSTRALIA

In ",,0 the =&2h Court o* Austra)&a +as re1orte% to ha8e ma%e the statement0

All powers of the 'o$ernment, ultimatel, elon% to and are deri$ed from the

%o$erned0*Th&s &s a b&t o* an &ns&2ht to the )e2a) m&n% +h&'h %oes not a11ear to ha8e a

1er'e1t&on o* the 1eo1)e as *ree an% &n%&8&%ua) ent&t&es0 but on)y as a 2rou1 that &s

there to be 2o8erne%: or0 &n other +or%s0 'ontro))e%:. In theory0 the =&2h Court &s

su11ose% to be an &n%e1en%ent ent&ty ma%e u1 o* the most em&nent an%

4no+)e%2eab)e Just&'es &n the 'ountry. I* th&s +ere true0 an% the se8en 1eo1)e

s&tt&n2 on the =&2h Court ha8e th&s +ea)th o* 'ommon 4no+)e%2e about the )a+0

+hy &s &t they 'an se)%om 'ome to a unan&mous %e'&s&on@ The )o2&'a) ans+er &sbe'ause these 1eo1)e are not %ea)&n2 +&th the )a+0 they are %ea)&n2 +&th o1&n&ons:.

It has )on2 been my 'ontent&on that any 'ase re)at&n2 to a Const&tut&ona) &ssue

must be %e'&%e% by a unan&mous %e'&s&on. I* these se8en em&nent 1eo1)e 'annot

a2ree on an &nter1retat&on o* the )a+ then the&r 'orre't 'ourse o* a't&on &s to

return the 3uest&on to Par)&ament an% set out the reasons +hy a2reement 'annot

be rea'he%. Par)&ament must e&ther amen% the )a+ to ')ar&*y the amb&2u&ty0 or

res'&n% &t 'om1)ete)y &* &t &s ba% )a+. hen the Court arr&8es at a s1)&t %e'&s&on o*

*our to three0 +hat &t rea))y means &s that the %e'&s&on &s base% on the o1&n&on o*

81


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one 1erson. Any s1)&t %e'&s&on &s ')ear 1roo* there &s someth&n2 +ron2 +&th the

%e'&s&on0 e8en &* on)y one Just&'e &s &n %&ssent.

The Const&tut&on &s +or%e% %e'e1t&8e)y &n res1e't to the a11o&ntment o* Ju%2es to

the =&2h Court o* Austra)&a. Se't&on ;-&/ o* the Const&tut&on says the Just&'es

shall be appointed by the !overnor !eneral in 8ouncil0 but om&ts to %e*&ne ho+

these a11o&ntments are to be se)e'te%. It a11ears to be an un+r&tten 'on8ent&on

+h&'h a))o+s the se)e't&on to be ma%e by the Pr&me >&n&ster. The se)e't&on &s not

subDe't to Par)&amentary a11ro8a) an%0 ob8&ous)y0 no Pr&me >&n&ster &n h&s r&2ht

m&n% &s 2o&n2 to se)e't a Ju%2e +ho &s not 1o)&t&'a))y 'om1at&b)e. Th&s arran2ement

'annot but he)1 tarn&sh the su11ose% &n%e1en%en'e o* the =&2h Court. hen th&s

&s 'ou1)e% +&th the a''e1tan'e o* s1)&t %e'&s&ons0 &t &s 'on')us&8e 1roo* that e8ery

one o* those %e'&s&ons &s base% on o1&n&ons an% not on unb&ase% )e2a) ana)ys&s.

=o+e8er0 there &s another system a8a&)ab)e that +ou)% m&t&2ate many o* the rea)

an% 1er'e&8e% *)a+s 'urrent)y a11)&'ab)e to the 1resent arran2ement. In 4ee1&n2

+&th the 'on'e1t o* a *e%erate% Common+ea)th0 &t ma4es a )ot more sense to ha8e

ea'h State nom&nate the&r re1resentat&8e to the =&2h Court o* Austra)&a. A)thou2h

th&s may not e)&m&nate 1o)&t&'a) b&as0 &t +ou)% 'ontr&bute to a more ba)an'e% 8&e+

re2ar%&n2 the 1er'e1t&on that most o* the Court:s %e'&s&ons *a8our the Fe%era)

Go8ernment. It &s s&m1)y a matter o* human nature *or a 1erson to *ee) a %e2ree o*

res1ons&b&)&ty *or the )ar2esse sho+ere% u1on them by those &n author&ty.

Far too many =&2h Court %e'&s&ons ha8e been ma%e on the bas&s o* maDor&ty

ru)&n2s +here the Ju%2e:s 1ersona) att&tu%es an% o1&n&ons ha8e he)% s+ay. S1)&t

%e'&s&on 'ome un%er the rea)m o* Ju%&'&a) Re8&e+:0 +h&'h &s ne&ther s1e))e% out &n

the Const&tut&on nor &m1)&e%. E8ery %e'&s&on ma%e &n th&s 'ate2ory has 1o)&t&'a)

ram&*&'at&ons an% are ne8er base% on str&'t )e2a) 1r&n'&1)es. As su'h0 many o* these

%e'&s&ons ha8e *ar rea'h&n2 Const&tut&ona) &m1)&'at&ons that 'an e**e't&8e)y 'han2ethe +ay the Const&tut&on &s &nter1rete%.

Se't&on ;9 an% ;9-&/ o* the Const&tut&on are etreme)y %an2erous 1ro8&s&ons &n

res1e't to ma&nta&n&n2 the &nte2r&ty o* the Const&tut&on.

They rea% as *o))o+s

ection E he &arliament ma maDe laws conferrin% ori%inal


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there a b)an4et )a+ that 2&8es the Court 'arte b)an' to &nter1ret the Const&tut&on

&n any +ay they see *&t@ Or0 &s &t ne'essary *or the Par)&ament to 1ass a s1e'&*&' )a+

&n ea'h 'ase +hen they +ant to 'on*er th&s author&ty on the Court@

E8en 6u&'4 an% Garran &2nore% th&s amb&2u&ty but they %&% 'omment on the *a't

that the +or%&n2 o* 3in an matter0 +as a11arent)y: %e)&berate rather than be&n2

+r&tten as0 in all matters0*

O* 'ourse0 the 1o)&t&'&ans an% the )e2a) *ratern&ty 1robab)y resort to the&r myst&'a)

)e2a)ese to %e')are th&s se't&on o* the Const&tut&on &s 1er*e't)y ')ear &n &ts mean&n2

an% &ntent. Anyone e)se +ou)% see th&s as o1en s)ather &n the +ay the Const&tut&on

&s &nter1rete%. Th&s &s *urther Dust&*&'at&on *or the ar2ument that a)) %e'&s&ons

&n8o)8&n2 a Const&tut&ona) &nter1retat&on must be %e'&%e% by unan&mous

a2reement.

JU$ICIAL REIE PROCESS

There &s a 3uest&on o* the )e2&t&ma'y +hen the =&2h Court eer'&ses an assume%

1o+er: to a)ter the Const&tut&on by +ay o* the&r Ju%&'&a) Re8&e+ Pro'ess. On

""""!!#0 S&r $a8&% Sm&th0 +ho +as the o**&'&a) Se'retary to *&8e Go8ernors

Genera) *rom ",;# to ",,!0 'ommente% on the +ay S&r Anthony >ason0 the

*ormer Ch&e* Just&'e o* the =&2h Court0 use% th&s usur1e% 1o+er:.

S&r $a8&% re*erre% to the +or%s o* Just&'e $yson =ey%on0 +hen =ey%on 1resente%

an a%%ress &n !! ent&t)e%0 3Fudicial Activism and the =eath of the +ule of ;aw0.

>r. =ey%on s1o4e o* the %an2ers o* Du%&'&a) 1rob&ty +h&'h ar&se +hen a 'ourt

%e)&berate)y sets out to a)ter the )a+. =e %es'r&be% Just&'e >ason as 3among the

greatest innovators of them all, until he retired in '**0. In the Sue 8 =&)) 'ase

be*ore the =&2h Court &n ",,,0 three o* the se8en Just&'es *oun% that0 the =&2h

Court0 s&tt&n2 as the Court o* $&s1ute% Returns0 ha% no Dur&s%&'t&on:. S&r $a8&%

+as a)so 'on'erne% about the Courts a11arent ease &n ')oth&n2 &tse)* +&th aDu%&'&a) *un't&on to amen% the Const&tut&on beyon% &ts 'onst&tut&ona) 'om1eten'e.

S1ea4&n2 *or the maDor&ty &n the Sue 8 =&)) 'ase0 Just&'e Gau%ron sa&%0 34or

present purposes it is sufficient to note, that, in general terms, the 1udicial process is

one that involves the independent and impartial application of the law to facts that

are found on evidence to be probatitive of those facts $ $ $ 3% -Gau%ron J 1 #5./

Just&'e &rby res1on%e% to the +&))&n2ness o* the maDor&ty to 'on*er a statutory

Dur&s%&'t&a

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A CONSTITUTIONAL JOURNEY Final.doc