General

14.1. There is established by this Constitution 96 Regions comprising all the land area of Australia (except the Australian Antarctic Territory) and all the Citizens residing therein. 

14.2. The boundaries of these Regions shall be based on water catchment areas where ever possible and shall be changed only by a 75% majority of the People affected approving the change at referendum.

14.3. The initial delineation of regions shall create regions of between 250,000 and 60,000 persons depending on the density of population.

That means for example that Tasmania will have three Regions.

14.4. In general terms, major cities shall be divided into regions of 250,000 persons or less. 

That is, Sydney will be divided into approximately 16 Regions instead of the current 42 Local Government Councils. Brisbane will be divided into four Regions. This means that public services will continue to be delivered by organisations close to the people. Affected Regions are expected to create and fund and task over-arching bodies such as a Metropolitan Public Transport Board to coordinate public transport for the whole of the metropolitan area. These Boards would be created from “the bottom up” by the Regions as required by them, would be funded by those Regions and accountable to them. This is a far more efficient and effective mechanism than any structure imposed “ from the top down”.

14.5. Delineation of the Regions is illustrated in Maps 1-10.

(To follow. But see temporary Schedule 9 and the accompanying map.)

Where ever possible Regions will be based on water catchment areas to give Regions the greatest control over water supply, water quality, drainage, the environment, conservation, and over flood mitigation. In some areas the location of aquifers will be a primary consideration.

This delineation will largely eliminate disputes between sub national governments regarding responsibility for pollution, placement and costs of bridges over streams, and such issues as irrigation and water supply.

This delineation of regions may result in a region incorporating several present day council areas. Where this happens, current centres will be retained as service centres for the region.

14.6. Each Region shall have a unicameral Assembly elected by the People from electorates of approximately 5000 using the optional preferential voting system prescribed herein.

This means the People will elect someone from their immediate neighbourhood to represent them in the Regional Assembly. When combined with the provision that all votes in the Assembly shall be published daily and the People having the power of recall, this arrangement will provide an unprecedented level of intimate representation and accountability.

Furthermore, these provisions will eliminate the problems currently experienced with political donations and campaign funding because national advertising will be redundant and each candidate will be able to knock on every door and every voter in his electorate will be able to attend candidates’ public meetings.

14.7. Each Region shall have an Executive consisting of a popularly elected Regional Chief Executive Officer (or Mayor) and the Executive Officers of Regional Government Departments. The Executive shall be accountable to the Assembly.

14.8. There shall be a clear separation of powers between the Assembly, the Executive and the Judicature.

Regional Responsibilities

14.9. Regional Executives are responsible for the delivery of all public services except those specifically allocated to the National Executive by this Constitution.

14.10. Delivery of public services shall be in accord with National policy and procedures except as specifically approved by the National parliament in special circumstances.

14.11. The delivery of government services shall be seamless across the Nation.

This means that a person from Region A may attend a hospital in Region B without detriment. Similarly, a person from Region A can attend a school in Region B without detriment. Furthermore, police can pursue a criminal and gain assistance from neighbouring police stations regardless of Regional boundaries except for common courtesy notification to the Regions concerned.

14.12. Regions shall cooperate on matters of mutual interest.   

Cooperation and coordination is the key. A population of 250,000 is an optimum population to support a general hospital with most if not all modern facilities and equipment. Smaller Regions will cooperate and coordinate so that neighbouring Regions complement each other with the provision of facilities and services.

14.13. Constrained only by National policy and procedures, Regional implementation responsibilities shall include the following:

a.    Health

b.    Hospitals

c.    Aged care

d.    Child protection

e.    Mental health

f.     Education

g.    The environment

h.    Water, drainage and sewerage

i.      Rubbish and recycling

j.      Law and order (Each Region shall have elements of the National judicature and the National Police Force)

k.    Penal institutions

l.      Recreation, parks and gardens

m.   Wildlife protection

n.    Domestic animal welfare and control

o.    Regional roads, railways and waterways

p.    Regional airports and heliports

q.    Vehicle Registration and safety checks

r.     Town planning

s.    Building regulations

t.      Welfare

u.    Employment

v.    Work place health and safety

w.   Primary production

x.    Regional Fisheries

y.    Manufacturing

z.    Mining

aa. Heritage

bb. Registration of births, deaths and marriages

cc.  Energy

dd. Emergency services

ee. Community Services

ff.    Collecting Property Title Levies

gg. Training and appointing Mediators of the Peace

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