Colin is joined once again by Supreme Court Judge David Ashton Lewis. This week they answer a question from a listener who asked what Federation means for Australia, how it came about and where we stand today. David says it is poorly taught, if it is taught at all, and he believes too few Australians really know it. David starts with everyday examples, such as the states handling COVID rules and tobacco sales in different ways. He explains that we all have two identities, as a Queenslander or Tasmanian and as an Australian. He then takes a long walk through history, from early European explorers and Captain Cook to the separate colonies, their self-government in 1855 and the push for one nation between 1889 and 1900. Along the way he touches on the constitutional debates, which powers the states handed to the Commonwealth, and the calls today for a republic or even for scrapping the states. It is a thoughtful, opinionated conversation. Listeners who enjoy a bit of Australian history, or who have wondered why the states and Canberra seem to be forever at odds, will find plenty to think about. Colin and David also invite listeners to send in topics and say whether they would like the discussion to continue next week. Guest(s): Supreme Court Judge David Ashton Lewis. The host is Colin. Topics: [00:00] A listener asks about Federation. David says it is poorly taught and uses the COVID and tobacco-retail examples to show how the states act separately. [02:21] Our two identities: being a Queenslander (or Tasmanian) and an Australian. [03:37] How the colonies looked at the American, Canadian and British systems, and why Australia leaned towards the American model. [03:37] Early European exploration as David tells it: a Portuguese voyage in 1523, then Dutch explorers including Dirk Hartog and Abel Tasman. [09:30] Captain Cook's 1770 voyage up the east coast, followed by the First Fleet. [11:40] How the colonies were created, from New South Wales to Tasmania, Queensland and Victoria, and why David calls them self-governing "little countries". [13:17] Self-government in 1855, and a comparison with Germany coming together under Bismarck in 1871. [14:58] The case for one nation, and the powers the colonies gave up to the Commonwealth, such as defence, foreign affairs, marriage and banking. David cites Victoria's Belt and Road deal as an example. [17:38] The constitutional debates of the 1890s and the figures involved: Parkes, Barton and Deakin. [19:26] Whether we should become a republic or do away with the states, the size of the country, and the duplication of services such as police, ambulance and hospitals. [21:20] COVID border closures, David's call for regular review of the Constitution, and the Senate. [22:15] Gold Coast growth and housing costs, then David's views on political ideologies and on immigration, cultural change and democracy. [24:17] David's verdict that Federation has been a good thing, and a light-hearted chat about the hosts' own Victorian, Tasmanian and Queensland backgrounds. [26:35] Colin and David ask listeners for topics and say whether they want the discussion to continue next week. Memorable quotes: "It is the basis of who and what we are." [00:00] "You're a Tasmanian and you're an Australian." [02:21] "Perth is closer to Jakarta than it is to Sydney." [19:26] "There needs to be regular review of the Constitution to make sure that it is addressing the problems of 2026, not 1906." [21:20] "A West Australian thinks of himself as an Australian in a different way than a Queenslander does." [24:17] Mentioned in the interview (people, organisations, events, dates, websites, phone numbers): Email for listener feedback: mail@4crbcom Listener question on Federation (email from a listener) Population figures: about 27.5 million Australians, and a Tasmanian population given as roughly 500,000 Early explorers: a Portuguese voyage from Dili in 1523 (Cristóvão de Mendonça, spelling uncertain), Dirk Hartog (1606/1616), Abel Tasman (1642) and Captain James Cook (1770) Places: Port Phillip Bay, Cooktown, Risdon (Tasmania), Batavia, Van Diemen's Land (renamed Tasmania) Colony dates: 1823 (Van Diemen's Land as a separate colony), 1849 (Queensland, as stated), 1855 (self-government), 1889–1900 (Federation period) Queensland Mounted Infantry and the Tasmanian Bushrangers Otto von Bismarck and German unification in 1871 Federation figures: Henry Parkes (transcribed "Parks"), Edmund Barton and Alfred Deakin (transcribed "Deacon") Daniel Andrews and Victoria's Belt and Road agreement with China Annastacia Palaszczuk and Queensland's COVID border rules The Communist Party case, early 1950s COVID-19 and the state premiers' meetings Marxism and Fabianism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
