Damon Mcknight
Australia currently has six states and two major territories, but there have been many proposals for new states since the 19th century. While no new states have been added since the federation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, there are still strong proposals for a North Queensland state, and the addition of neighbouring countries such as New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and East Timor. The Northern Territory is also a proposed state, but its population as of 2021 is only 3% of the largest state, New South Wales, which raises questions about fair representation in the government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of states | 50 |
| New states formed from existing states | Queensland divided by the 22nd parallel, with the boundary running just south of Sarina on the coast to the Northern Territory border between Boulia and Mount Isa. Capricornia has been proposed as the name for this state. |
| New states formed from independent countries | New Zealand's North Island and South Island could become the 49th and 50th states of the Commonwealth. |
| New states formed from territories | The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). |
| New states formed from neighbouring countries | Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and East Timor. |
| New states formed for Indigenous Australians | A dedicated state for Indigenous Australians. |
| Requirements for new states | Federal Parliament approval, state parliament consent, and voter approval via referendum. |
| Parliamentary representation | The Joint Select Committee on Electoral Reform in 1985 recommended that new states be entitled to separate representation and a minimum of two senators. |
| Constitutional amendments | Amendments to Sections 121, 123, 124, and Chapter VI of the Constitution of Australia, which provide for the establishment and admission of new states to the federation. |
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What You'll Learn
The addition of neighbouring countries as states
Australia has considered adding neighbouring countries as states since the 19th century. New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and East Timor have all been considered as potential additions, with New Zealand being asked to join in the creation of the Commonwealth of Australia. While some New Zealanders feel they have established a distinct national identity, others argue that New Zealand is too far away from mainland Australia. Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and East Timor have also been considered for statehood, with some arguing that their inclusion would improve Australia's rugby team.
The addition of new states would require altering existing state boundaries, which, according to Section 123 of the Constitution of Australia, needs the consent of the state's voters via referendum. The Federal Parliament can also form a new state by separating territory from an existing state, joining multiple states or parts of states, or altering state limits with the approval of the parliament(s) of the state(s) in question. However, no new states have been added since the federation of six former British self-governing colonies in 1901.
One proposal suggests dividing Queensland by the 22nd parallel, with the capital in Sellheim, to overcome rivalry between Mackay, Townsville, and Cairns. The proposed state would be named Capricornia and has gained support from North Queensland mayors. Another proposal suggests creating a state for Indigenous Australians.
There are challenges to creating new states, including the potential for a state to have disproportionate representation in the Senate compared to more populous states. Additionally, there is a question of whether a referendum to change the Constitution would succeed, given the history of unsuccessful attempts at constitutional reform in Australia. Despite these challenges, proposals for new states continue to be discussed and considered.
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The creation of a state for Indigenous Australians
Australia is home to a diverse range of Indigenous communities, consisting of Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders. In the 2021 census, 812,728 people self-identified as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin, representing 3.2% of the country's total population.
Indigenous Australians have a deep connection to the land, with a rich cultural heritage that predates British colonisation. They have historically fought for recognition and the preservation of their culture, and continue to do so today.
The creation of a state specifically for Indigenous Australians would be a significant step towards recognising their unique status as the Traditional Owners of the land. This proposal would involve setting aside a distinct geographical area, with a capital city, and granting it the same political status as other states within Australia.
The new state would have its own elected government, with representatives advocating specifically for the needs and interests of Indigenous Australians. This could include the protection and promotion of Indigenous languages, with over 145 still in use today, and only 13 not considered endangered. The state could also implement policies to preserve and celebrate Indigenous cultural heritage, such as the work done by the Paakantji, Mutthi Mutthi, and Ngyiampaa peoples in the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area.
Furthermore, the state could address issues of poverty and access to services, which have disproportionately affected Indigenous communities. For example, in 2016, 24% of Indigenous Australians lived in "inner regional" areas and 20% in "outer regional" areas, compared to 18% and 8% respectively for non-Indigenous Australians. This disparity has likely contributed to the higher levels of poverty experienced by Indigenous communities.
The creation of an Indigenous state would be a powerful symbol of reconciliation and a step towards self-determination for Indigenous Australians, providing them with greater autonomy and the ability to shape their own future within a country that has often marginalised them.
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Queensland divided by the 22nd parallel
Queensland has long been the subject of proposals for division or statehood. One such proposal is to divide Queensland by the 22nd parallel, with the boundary running just south of Sarina on the coast to the Northern Territory border between Boulia and Mount Isa. This new state has been named Capricornia, with its capital in Sellheim, near Charters Towers, to overcome rivalry between Mackay, Townsville, and Cairns.
The idea of dividing Queensland along the 22nd parallel gained momentum in 2010, with the majority of North Queensland mayors supporting the separation from the rest of the state. This proposal aimed to address the economic disparities between the north and south of Queensland, with politicians like Bob Katter arguing that the money earned in the north was funnelled to the more populated south-east, resulting in economic ruin for the north.
However, not everyone supported the proposal. Local Government Minister Desley Boyle, for instance, opposed the move, believing that Queensland was "far better off as part of a big state," and that division would further isolate people in the north.
The proposal to divide Queensland by the 22nd parallel is part of a broader discussion on the creation or incorporation of new states in Australia. Since the 19th century, there have been various proposals, including admitting territories to statehood, admitting independent countries or their dependent territories, and forming new states from parts of existing states.
While Queensland has not been officially divided into separate states, the proposal to create Capricornia along the 22nd parallel highlights the ongoing discussions and debates surrounding the state's future and the desire for greater representation and economic autonomy in the region north of the 22nd parallel.
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The Riverina proposals
However, despite these provisions, no new states have been added since the federation of six former British self-governing colonies in 1901. There has been a lack of effective and organised movements for creating new states, and proposals often face opposition and limited interest. Additionally, there are concerns about the representation of new states in the House of Representatives, with no guarantee of minimum representation.
Despite these challenges, discussions and proposals for new states in Australia, including the Riverina state, continue to emerge.
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Constitutional reform
Australia has not added any new states since the federation of six former British self-governing colonies in 1901. However, there have been several proposals for the creation or incorporation of new states, and some of these proposals would bring the total number of states to 50 or more. For instance, there have been proposals for the addition of neighbouring countries such as New Zealand (as either one or two states), Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and East Timor. There has also been a long-standing proposal for the creation of a state for Indigenous Australians.
One major challenge to constitutional reform in Australia is the requirement for voter consent via referendum. Referendums to change the Constitution and insert new provisions have historically been unsuccessful. For example, two motions to change Section 124 and allow for the formation of new states based on popular support rather than state parliament consent were defeated in the Commonwealth Parliament in 1927. Additionally, a referendum to change the Constitution and create a new state in northern New South Wales was also defeated.
Another challenge is the potential for new states to be under-represented in the House of Representatives. Section 24 of the Constitution provides for at least five members from each 'Original State' in the House of Representatives, but it does not guarantee minimum representation for new states. This could result in disproportionate representation for new states with smaller populations.
To successfully implement constitutional reform and create 50 states in Australia, several steps would need to be taken. Firstly, there would need to be widespread political and public support for the creation of new states, which has been lacking in recent times. Secondly, the specific proposals for new states would need to be carefully considered to ensure they meet the constitutional definition of a 'state'. Thirdly, referendums would need to be held to obtain the consent of the voters in the affected states, and these referendums would need to be carefully designed to address any concerns about representation and other issues. Finally, the Commonwealth Parliament would need to pass amendments to the Constitution to establish the new states, ensuring that the terms and conditions imposed do not exceed the definition of a 'state' under Section 121.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia currently consists of six states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. There have been various proposals for the creation or incorporation of new states, including admitting territories to statehood, admitting independent countries or their dependent territories, and forming new states from parts of existing states. However, no new states have been added since the federation of the original six states in 1901.
One of the main challenges is the requirement for approval from the parliament(s) of the state(s) in question, as outlined in Section 124 of the Constitution of Australia. Additionally, Section 123 requires the consent of the state's voters via referendum for any alterations to state boundaries. Another challenge is ensuring proportional representation in the House of Representatives for new states, as there is currently no guarantee of minimum representation.
Some of the proposed new states include:
- Riverina in the Murray River region, on the border between New South Wales and Victoria.
- Capricornia, formed by dividing Queensland by the 22nd parallel, with the capital in Sellheim.
- Admitting New Zealand as either one or two states, given their close economic and political relations with Australia.
- Negotiating the addition of other neighboring countries such as Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and East Timor.
- Creating a state specifically for Indigenous Australians.
