I’ve just done a radio spot with Tim Shaw on Sydney’s 2UE, discussing the Australian Constitution which is 110 years old this weekend.
Donald Horne: An Australian Compact?
Jul 01, 2002
This is the text of a booklet produced by Donald Horne for the NSW Centenary Of Federation Committee.
The booklet is subtitled: What are the core values that all Australians might respect?
It includes chapters the rule of law, representative democracy, equality under the law, a Commonwealth devoted to the well-being of its people, the need to respect and care for the land we share, and to value the unique status of the Indigenous people. [Read more…]
Stott Despoja Calls For Constitutional and Political Reforms
May 10, 2001
The Leader of the Australian Democrats, Senator Natasha Stott Despoja, has called for a range of constitutional and political reforms.
Stott Despoja’s call came in her speech to the Senate’s Centenary of Federation sitting in Melbourne.
Text of speech by the Leader of the Australian Democrats, Senator Natasha Stott-Despoja, to the Senate’s Centenary of Federation Sitting in Melbourne.
On behalf of the Australian Democrats I acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the Wurundjeri people.
I thank the previous speakers for their contributions.
The Australian Democrats congratulate the oldest party in the parliament, the Australian Labor Party on the centenary of their caucus. [Read more…]
The Establishment of the Federal Labor Caucus
May 09, 2001
The Australian Labor Party Federal Caucus is 100 years old today.
At the first federal elections held on March 28 and 29, 1901, fourteen members of the Labor Party were elected to the House of Representatives and eight to the Senate. Another two members of the House joined the Labor Party before the parliament met for the first time on May 9, 1901.
According to the official minutes, “a preliminary meeting of member of the Federal Parliament favourable to the formation of a Commonwealth Labour Party was held at Parliament House on Tuesday the 7th May 1901.”
This meeting fixed the following day as the first official meeting of the Labour Caucus. [Read more…]