How would an Australian state secede?

However, there is no mention of how an existing state or territory could secede—leave or exit—from Australia. The Preamble to the Constitution states that the Australian federation is ‘indissoluble’—not able to be broken. There has only been one major attempt to test the indissolubility of the federation.

Has WA tried to leave Australia?

On 8 April 1933 the people of Western Australia voted to secede from the Commonwealth of Australia by a margin of more than two to one. The result represented a culmination of nearly three years of intensive campaigning by the Dominion League during the height of the Depression.

Why did Western Australia say no to Federation?

There were a number of reasons for Western Australia’s leaders to be uncertain about Federation. The discovery of gold in the early 1890s led to rapid growth in the colony’s population and wealth. Farming, the timber industry and shipping were also strong. This provided money to support its development.

When a state breaks away from a country?

secede Add to list Share. To secede is to go your own way, breaking off ties. Usually, this refers to one part of a country that wants to become independent, like the South during the U.S. Civil War. The Latin word secedere means “go apart” and that’s where secede comes from.

Can Wa leave the Federation?

The Constitution of Australia, however, describes the union as “one indissoluble Federal Commonwealth” and makes no provision for states to secede from the union….2000s considerations.

Why did New Zealand not join federation?

New Zealanders just weren’t interested in uniting with Australia. The prevailing view was that New Zealanders were of superior stock to their counterparts across the Tasman. In Australia, one of the reasons that had been put forward to federate was the need for a united defence force.

Can a state secede from the Union in Australia?

While the Australian Constitution allows for an increase in the number of member states of the federation, it makes no provision for existing states to secede from the union. Secession refers to an act by a political community to withdraw from the jurisdiction of a larger entity of which it is a constituent member.

Why did Western Australia want to secede from the Commonwealth?

It appears that after federation Western Australians held some reservations about being part of the Commonwealth of Australia. Due to economic factors including the great depression, sentiment for Western Australian secession grew throughout the 1920’s and 30’s. A referendum for secession was held in WA in 1933. The question was:

Is it possible for Australia to become an independent country?

While very unlikely to happen, it is actually possible, in theory at least, to split off from Australia and become an independent country. All six Australian states were independent, sort of, before Federation.

What are the most famous secession cases in Australia?

Speaking of Western Australia and wheat, another famous secession case is that of the Hutt River Province, now called the Principality of Hutt River.