State of North Queensland

Throughout the years, there have been many calls for the division of the Australian state of Queensland into a New State. Many proposals have been drawn up, regarding the borders, name and the debate over which city will become the capital [http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/au!nqld.html] .

History

In 1852, John Dunmore Lang proposed in his book "Freedom and Independence for the Golden Lands of Australia", that the creation of three new Northern Colonies be undertaken. As the calls for separation began to grow the formation of The North Queensland Separation League. This group was at the forefront of the proposals.

In 1897, William Kidstone's proposal was passed through Queensland Parliament on a Speakers vote after a twenty for and twenty against split. The next day, a number of absent members managed to have their votes recorded, and the movement was blocked.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s the calls for a new state were once again on the rise, creating a large demand for a referendum on the idea. In 1994, The North Queensland Party were formed with Frank Rossiter a leading figure. The new North Queensland Flag (pictured) was accepted at a meeting on 16 October 1994. It consisted of blue and white sections, representing the sporting colours of North Queensland. In the white coloured section was the Southern Cross while in the blue section was a Tropic sun with a Marlin.

Flag

The new North Queensland flag was proposed and approved at a meeting of the North Queensland Party on the 16 October, 1994. The blue and white North Queensland State Flag consisted of the Southern Cross and Tropical Sun with Marlin. An earlier North Queensland flag included the Union Jack and the yellow sun with the letters NQ within it. [ [http://www.fanshop-online.de/fahnen-flaggen-infos/au!nqld.html North Queensland State Flag proposals ] ]

Proposed Capitals

* City of Townsville
* Charters Towers
* Cairns
* Rockhampton

Proposed Borders

There has been much consideration on where the southern border of the new state would be. Most seem to be around the central part of the state, just south of Gladstone.Fact|date=August 2007 Others call for the border to be just south of Mackay, and for another state of Central Queensland be formed. It has also been suggested to merge with the Northern Territory and become the new state of Northern AustraliaFact|date=June 2007, although this proposal has been dismissed by many, saying that the reason for splitting Queensland is to make a smaller state.

Likelihood

Support in North Queensland to secede rises and falls. According the Australian Constitution the Australian Parliament can create a new State in North Queensland with the permission of the Queensland Parliament Sec 124 or sec 111 or with a successful referendum of the whole of Queensland approving the new borders sec 123.

ee also

*Regionalism
*Separatism
*North Queensland

References

External links

* [http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21911473-2,00.html Push for separation as Queensland splits (News.com.au)]