Happy Australian Independence Day, everyone!
Today, March 3, is Australia’s Independence Day, celebrating 39 years of independence. Although not gazetted as a public holiday, Australia achieved independence legally and judicially, cutting our last ties with the UK with the Australia Act, which commenced on March 3, 1986.
“The Australia Act 1986 was the final step in Australia’s constitutional independence from Britain. This Act and the six similar Acts passed by the state parliaments made all Australian law independent of the British Parliament and legal system. It also stopped appeals from state courts to the British Privy Council. Together with the Australia Act 1986 (UK), the seven Acts brought the states in line with the Australian Government’s relationship with Britain.
After the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942, Australia was independent from Britain but the states were still subject to some aspects of British law. Despite the changes that had taken place at the national level since Federation, certain state bills still required the monarch’s approval and the monarch could disallow any state law within two years. States gave advice to the monarch through the British Foreign Minister, not an Australian minister.”
I know we’re not strong on politics in Australia. We have public holidays for particular horse races, footy matches and industrial relations outcomes, and we almost always believe whatever Reuters or AAP tells us to think.
I understand Australian independence was achieved peacefully, rather than through war or revolution, which doesn’t make it an amazing story in itself. But, spare a moment to browse the attached texts confirming the details of the Australia Act and its meaning, commemorating a day we can all celebrate.
Sure, the British claimed a southern continent on January 26, 1788. And, a federation of the various colonies on that continent commenced on January 1, 1901. But, the Australia Act 1986 gave us full independence.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_Act_1986
https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/history-of-parliament/history-milestones/australian-parliament-history-timeline/events/australia-act-1986#:~:text=03%20March%201986,the%20beginning%20of%20this%20century.
https://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item-did-32.html
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It was 25 years ago that I began developing a model for analysing footy squad lists for the purpose of improving those lists into a premiership window. Since then, the model has been used to successfully predict premiership clubs and to improve either lop-sided or underdeveloped lists into premiership lists. Indeed, the model was used for an article that I had published as a double page spread in The Age 2005 Pre-Season magazine. Over the 25 years, I have analysed the annual lists of one particular club but have used it for other clubs upon request. It has always been on my bucket list to display the lists of all the clubs, using the model, which I've done since 2021 on my website - OzFootyListManager.com
I will raise a glass, in honour of the Day or Act, or Acts (including the UK Act that was necessary at the time for convoluted legal and historical reasons to ensure the Australia Act actually was legal). However, I’m not sure I can fully celebrate Australian independence, while our “Australian” flag bears any identification of our Pommy overlords, and while our Constitution continues to be contained in a UK statute. I understand it doesn’t dint how we determine and enact laws and mores for Australia, but knowing it’s there is bad enough. And then there’s the whole Queen of Australia crap. The Australia Act 1986 means we have legislative independence both practical and symbolic, but for real independence we must cut the strings completely.
On an unrelated note, 1986 was a good year for Australia creating Acts of importance, as not only was the Australia Act passed, so was the Disability Services Act (1986), But that’s a story for another time.
Yes Rick, right on so many points. The Australia Act was a small step in the right direction but Australia being independent is another issue.
The Australian Constitution is based on the federation of Australia under a Constitutional Monarchy. The authority of the Constitution is still seem as deriving from the consent of the Monarch & the UK Parliament. No explicit values, or rights,exist in the Australian Constitution. Don’t get me started on the process of referendums for constitutional change.
Looking at ‘our’ flag,’our’ head of state, truly, ‘Poor fella my country’.
Glen!
I always try to play No Fixed Address, Wurumpi Band and Colored Stone on 26 January, and I have noticed less British blue ensigns about in my part of the world.
Incidentally it took us 10 years to get rid of “God save the Queen”, as the Fraser government reverted it back. Mungo Macallum called the 1974 election the “singing election” as Snedden, Anthony and the rest of the Outpost of Empire boys sang “God save the Queen” lustily during the campaign.