Take it from me, darlings – identity is everything, which is why I’ll be supporting statehood, and the Territory finally standing on its own two heels!
I cannot think of one good reason why the Territory shouldn’t be an equal player and a state in its own right, just like all the other states in Australia.
The time is right to have a debate about statehood – and I think the Constitutional Convention is a great way of getting Territorians involved in the process.
A Territory can only make laws allowed by the Commonwealth Government as set out in the Self Government Act.
A State law can only be ‘struck down’ if it conflicts with a Commonwealth power under the Australian Constitution (s109).
A Territory law can be disallowed within six months of passing the Territory Assembly by the Commonwealth Government or it can be overturned at any time by the Commonwealth Parliament.
A State has guaranteed representation in the Australian Parliament.
A Territory has representation in the Australian Parliament only so long as the Australian Parliament says it can.
All the original States (from 1901) are guaranteed the same number of Senators (12 each) so that even the small states will have an equal voice in the House of Review or States’ House (The Senate)
The Northern Territory has been allowed 2 senators since 1975 when three States objected but the High Court said we could have Senators so long as the Commonwealth Parliament wants us to.
The Australian Constitution says the Commonwealth Government cannot discriminate between the States
The Commonwealth can discriminate against a Territory if it wants to.
Chapter Five of the Australian Constitution sets out the rights of the States to exist and a range of rights and responsibilities in the Australian Federal system.
Chapter Six of the Australian Constitution says that the Commonwealth may make any laws for any territory as it thinks fit.
The 2007 Emergency Response or ‘Intervention’ could not happen in a State.
The 2007 Emergency Response or ‘Intervention’ could only happen here because this is a Territory.
States have full control over State land except where the Commonwealth may acquire land on just terms.
There is no constitutional guarantee that the Commonwealth must pay just terms to acquire Territory land. States cannot be abolished or have their boundaries changed without the consent of the residents of the State.
A Territory can have its government terminated or parliament abolished at any time by the Commonwealth.
State laws are stronger because they cannot be changed unless they conflict with valid Commonwealth law.
Territory laws are weaker because they can be changed by the Commonwealth Parliament at any time.
State power in Canberra is stronger because even the smallest State (Tasmania) has a constitutionally guaranteed five members of the House of Representatives and 12 Senators
Territory power in Canberra is weak because the Northern Territory is allowed (not guaranteed) two senators and two representatives in a parliament of 226 meaning the Territory has a very weak voice at the bargaining table when laws are being made that impact on us.
Statehood means strength, democracy and equality in a cooperative federal system. Many democratic countries are federal systems including Australia, The United States, Canada, India, Germany, Switzerland and others.
Towards State 7 Constitutional Convention Information Sessions
November 2011
LOCATION
DATE / TIME
VENUE
DARWIN
Thurs 3 Nov 12 .00 PM
NT Library, Parliament House, Darwin
CASUARINA
Thurs 3 Nov 5.30 PM
Uni Pirates Clubhouse, University Drive, Brinkin
PALMERSTON
Thurs 3 Nov 5.30 PM
Palmerston Council Chambers, 2 Chung Wah Terrace, Palmerston
ALICE SPRINGS
Mon 7 Nov Session 1: 12.30 PM Session 2: 5.30 PM
Andy McNeill Room, Alice Springs Town Council, 93 Todd St
TENNANT CK
Tues 8 Nov 5.30 PM
Battery Hill Mining Centre
KATHERINE
Wed 9 Nov 5.30 PM
Katherine Country Club, Pearce St (off Victoria Highway)
ELLIOTT
Wed 9 Nov 5.30 PM
Elliott Basketball Court
NHULUNBUY
Mon 14 Nov Session 1: 12.30 PM Session 2: 5.30 PM
Walkabout Lodge Function Room
1
Kalkarindji
26 -28 Aug
9 - 10 Sep
2
Yulara
12 Sep
3
Mutijulu
12 Sep
4
Docker River
13 Sep
5
Imanpa
14 Sep
6
Apulu
15 Sep
7
Titukala
16 Sep
8
Wutunugurra/Canteen Ck
20 Sep
9
Ali Carung/Imangra
21 Sep
10
Utopia
22 Sep
11
Ampilatwatja
22 Sep
12
Amoonguna
26 Sep
13
Ntaria/Wallace Rockhole
27 Sep
14
Areyonga
28 Sep
15
Santa Teresa
29 Sep
16
Harts Range/Engawala
3 Oct
17
Laramba/TiTree
4 Oct
18
Yuendumu/Yuluem
5 Oct
19
Papunya
6 Oct
20
Kintore
7 Oct
21
Lajamanu
10 Oct
22
Kalkaringi
11 Oct
23
Yarlin
12 Oct
24
Timber Creek
13 Oct
25
Pine Creek
17 Oct
26
Borroloola
24 Oct
27
Mataranka
25 Oct
28
Ngukkur
26 Oct
29
Barunga
27 Oct
30
Numbulwar
28 Oct
31
Nguiu
31 Oct
32
Pirlangimpi/Milikapati
1 & 2 Nov
33
Minjilang (Croker Island)
3 Nov
34
Warruwi
(Goulburn Island)
4 Nov
35
Roper Gulf Shire
7 Nov
36
Galiwinku
8 Nov
37
Alyangula
9 Nov
38
Angurugu/ Umbakumba
10 Nov
39
Milyakburra
11 Nov
40
Layhanpuy Homelands
14 Nov
41
Gapuwiyak
16 Nov
42
Ramingining
17 Nov
43
Milingimbi
18 Nov
44
Maningrida
21-22Nov
45
Gunbalanya
23 Nov
46
Jabiru
24 Nov
47
Port Keat
28 & 29 Nov
48
Palumpa/Peppimenarti
30 Nov
49
Outstations/Daly River
1 & 2 Dec
50
Batchelor/ Adelaide River
5-9 Dec
51
Belyuen/ Wagait
52
Coomalie / Humpty Doo / Noonamah
Please Note - all dates are postponed until further notice.
Nominate now!
Friday 27 January 2012 is the big day.
That’s the day that nominations open for those Territorians who want to represent their communities as delegates to the next April’s Constitutional Convention in Darwin.
The main aim of the Convention is to debate and create a draft State Constitution, which we will need if we want to become a State.
So if you care about Statehood and you care about your community, you should think seriously about nominating and registering your interest today.
Please Note - all dates are postponed until further notice.
Vote for your representative
Next April’s Constitutional Convention In Darwin will be a people’s convention – with Territorians from across the length and breadth of the Territory coming together to represent their communities.
These elected representatives will help draft an NT State Constitution and help shape our future in the Territory.
That’s why it’s important that you vote for the person you think will best represent your family and the interests of your community on 24 March 2012.
So check out the ntstate7 website after nominations close on 1 March 2012 and see who will be standing to represent your community in your electorate.
Please Note - all dates are postponed until further notice.
Support your convention delegate
The Constitutional Convention Delegate Elections, which will be held on 24 March 2012, will see three delegates elected from each of the Territory’s 25 electorates. These delegates will head to Darwin on 21 April 2012 to help draft a State Constitution for the Territory and represent the interests of their communities.
It’s a big task – which is why we all need to support our delegates in whatever way we can.
So talk to your delegates in the lead-up to the convention about the issues that are important to you and your family. You can also use facebook, twitter and our discussion blogs during the convention to talk directly to your delegates.
And remember – you can follow the debates and the activities at the convention as they happen by logging into the ntstate7 website.
Please Note - all dates are postponed until further notice.
Public feedback
Shortly after the Constitutional Convention finishes in late April 2012, the new draft State Constitution will be made available to all Territorians.
The aim is to produce a people’s constitution – one that reflects the hopes and aspirations of all Territorians.
That means all Territorians will have an opportunity to read the document and comment on its contents.
Please Note - all dates are postponed until further notice.
Alice Springs Convention
In 2013 – following extensive public consultation on the draft State Constitution – a second Constitutional Convention will convene in Alice Springs.
It will be attended by the same elected community delegates who attended the convention in Darwin – and the aim is to finalise the NT State Constitution.
Please Note - all dates are postponed until further notice.
The Statehood referendum
In late 2013, a referendum on Statehood is planned.
The referendum will ask Territorians if the time is right for the Territory to become Australia’s seventh State.
Take it from me, darlings – identity is everything, which is why I’ll be supporting statehood, and the Territory finally standing on its own two heels!
I cannot think of one good reason why the Territory shouldn’t be an equal player and a state in its own right, just like all the other states in Australia.
The time is right to have a debate about statehood – and I think the Constitutional Convention is a great way of getting Territorians involved in the process.
