GEORGE HARRIS aka WOODWORKER

We made a democratic decision ten years ago to continue abasing ourselves before this pile of excresence that calls itself a monarchy and its pathetic pumped-up vice-regal lackeys.
Therefore we are stuck with a pack of chinless Germans (long after the Germans themselves saw the light) and must remain their obedient subjects.

It is also worth remembering that, ten years ago, the most popular politician in Australia was one JW Howard. We got rid of him, now let’s get rid of one of his favourite abominations.
Of course, Woodworker (#12), it is the ALP State Government that appoints the Governor. If it simply refused to do so that would save a lot of taxpayers’ money (which we could then use to further subsidise Gunns). The least they could do is find another use for Government House. No constitutional change required, no change to any law, just let the incumbent live in his/her own house while doing the job. It is the Labor Party, Woodworker, who keep us in State Governors and make us pay the attendant expenses. When are you going to use your influence within the Party to get rid of the parasites? ( Justabloke, Comment 13: Here

In response to Justa Bloke, and with apologies for the delay, I have to make a couple of points.

Firstly, this is a national issue, as well as a local issue. Australia is a Constitutional Monarchy, and a federated Commonwealth of States, in which each state draws its power from the commonwealth, and cannot exceed the power of the commonwealth. This was agreed in the act of establishing the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.

The relationship is so intertwined that appropriate procedures must be adopted in changing such things, but the over-riding principle is that the power of the commonwealth exceeds that of the state. It is only where the commonwealth cedes power to the states for agreed issues that are contained within state borders that the state has more latitude, and even then it has to be careful.

For example, a state cannot do anything that is contrary to the federal Constitution, even if its effect might be contained within Tasmania. The best expression of this relationship is local government. The state government has allowed and encouraged local government to exist, and to do certain things, (roads, rats, rates and rubbish). You will note how the state government keeps local government on a leash, sets the rules, and sometimes trades responsibilities. Recent examples are in planning legislation, and water and sewerage. You might not like it, but that is how it is.

Local government is not even mentioned in the Constitution. Bob Hawke sought to change that in the early 1980s, and a federal referendum was necessary. It was lost, with the help of bastards like Charlie (Sir Charles) Court in W.A. who went against the wishes of his own Local Government Association just to oppose a federal Labor initiative.

Similarly, a federal referendum is necessary to change us from a Constitutional Monarchy to a Republic. It is just not possible for Tasmania to go it alone, no matter how much any or all of us would want. In Tasmania it is the responsibility of the Premier alone to nominate a Governor, and there is no requirement to consult with anyone, but any Premier would be mad not to at least discuss it with colleagues. The nomination has never been rejected, (in the modern era, at least), and ultimately the Queen accepts the Premier’s nomination, but I reckon the power is there to reject it. You wouldn’t really know what happens between here and Buckingham Palace! In any event, Tasmania could not get away with just not putting forward a nomination.

And by the way, don’t blame me, or anyone else in the Labor Party in Tasmania. I can’t think of anyone who is a Labor Party member, from the Premier to the last rank-and-file member who is not in favour of us becoming a Republic. (if there is someone, I am not aware of them!) I stood out in the rain all day at the polling booth at Mt. Nelson Primary School handing out how-to-vote cards in favour of the Republic when the referendum was held in 1999. We lost, thanks to the efforts of people like that bastard, Howard. It is important to be well organized for the next time, because it costs a lot of money to hold a referendum, (was it $33 million dollars?), and we want to get it right.

Lastly, and this is my favourite bit, I would like to propose some new activities that currently cannot be allowed to occur at that magnificent building, Government House. As the official residence, and apart from being the official residence, only a very small list of freeloaders, (all out-of-towners), can get to spend a night there. If he wasn’t so out of favour, and currently not able to travel outside of his own domain, it could (?) include Commodore Frank Bainimarama of Fiji.

It could be the venue for the Taste of Tasmania. It could be the venue for this super new gourmet food event. It could be the regular set for the filming of the Collectors program. It could be a stunning venue for a $5,000-a-ticket dinner dance with the TSO, with the proceeds going into a restoration fund to assist the crumbling listed heritage buildings around the state, of which Tasmania has the greatest proportion of Australia’s total. It could be the venue for the AFI Awards. It could be a high-cost short-stay accommodation spot for celebrities, or the wealthy who want some hands-on gardening tuition. It could be the setting for a movie with a Hollywood or BAFTA A-list cast.

It could be the venue for the judging and presentation of the Tasmanian Wine awards. It could be the set for the filming of a Boags or Cascade promotion. It could be the venue for an Eric Clapton unplugged concert. It could be the venue for multi-cultural music events. The recently replaced Huon Pine floor in the Ball Room would be a great venue for ‘So you think you can dance’ or ‘Australia’s Got Talent’ (ugh!), or for an episode of ‘The Footy Show’ as part of the campaign to launch a Tasmanian AFL team. It could be the finishing point for a vintage car and motorcycle touring rally. (I wouldn’t recommend it as a finishing point for Targa Tasmania, I don’t reckon you could get those rev-heads to not tear up the grass, or spread the gravel everywhere.) It could be the venue for major art auctions. And, close to my heart, it could be the southern venue for the Tasmanian Wood Design Collection Biennial Acquisitive Exhibition!

What do you think? At least we could make some money out of it, and generate some international attention and tourism promotion, rather than it just costing us money. Come on, what are your ideas? Cheers, the Woodworker…