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Scrap the states? Would we have to scrap the constitution too? : Comments
By Gabrielle Appleby, published 4/1/2013Bob Hawke has reprised his call from 1984 for the abolition of the states. Is it that easy?
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Sec 124 provides for the formation of new states but only with the consent of the existing state(s) from which it is formed. This operates to deny the right that was exercised by Queensland in breaking away from NSW in the 1860s. Qld successfully appealed to the crown to override the blatantly self serving objections of NSW in the interests of "peace, order and good governance".
But this fundamental right of self determination, which was also subsequently ratified by the Commonwealth under the UN Convention on Human, Social and Political Rights, has been further eroded by Sec 51 (xxxviii) which can only operate with the consent of the state concerned.
This outrageous deprivation of this most precious right of all was made at the behest of Brisbane interests just 40 years after they enjoyed the same privilege. And it was to the detriment of the then 2/3rds of Queensland voters who lived outside the SE Corner. And it was conceived and drafted by a public servant, the infamous Chief Justice Griffith, who had sworn an oath to "well and trully serve" all Queenslanders without favour.
And what we now have is the constitutional equivalent of granting a serial wife basher a veto over his spouses right to a just and equitable divorce. Both are absolute abominations that has no place in 21st century democracy.