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The Foundation for National Renewal |
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The Model Constitution Project: |
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After a decade of work, this project has borne fruit: the First Draft of a new Constitution. |
| The Project | Synopsis | Foreword & Preface | Draft Constitution |
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This Constitution establishes the sovereignty of the Australian People. It establishes the People’s ownership of the Commonwealth of Australia and provides each and every Citizen with an equal annual dividend from that ownership. There is established with this Constitution a unique Australian federation in which there is intimate, accountable representation; both levels of government have clearly articulated powers and responsibilities; and public services are delivered by organisations close to the People. The system of government ensures freedom of the individual, and efficient and effective administration of Australian society with less regulation, fewer elected representatives and fewer bureaucrats. The federation consists of a National Parliament and 96 regions each with its own Regional Assembly. In general terms the National Parliament is responsible for policy; and Regional Assemblies are responsible for implementing that policy and delivering public services. The Regions will be based on water catchment areas giving Regional Assemblies unprecedented control of their environment. The National Executive Government consists of a popularly elected President and the Heads of Government Departments. Regional Executive Governments consist of popularly elected Chief Executive Officers (or Mayors) and the Executive Officers of Regional Government Departments. The Executives at both levels are accountable to the elected body. This arrangement produces a clear separation of powers between the Parliament, the Executive and the Judicature. The President’s powers are codified in the Constitution. He is positioned to be the Head of State, head of the National Executive, a protector of the Constitution and is accountable to the Parliament. The Regions have populations of between 60,000 and 250,000 people depending on population density. Members of Regional Assemblies are elected from single-member electorates of only 5000 voters. This ensures intimate representation and optimum accountability. All elections use a unique, optional preferential voting system and electronic voting. This ensures quick and easy voting and fair representation of the People rather than representation of political parties. One Member of each Regional Assembly will be elected by the Assembly to represent the Region in the National Parliament. These Representatives will return to their Regional Assembly for one week in every month to brief, and to be briefed by, their Regional Assembly. This ensures intimate representation and optimum accountability. Constituents at both levels have the power to recall their representative and hold a new election. This is one of many measures that empower the People and ensure accountability. Legislation before the National Parliament will be debated in Regional Assemblies. This is the review process; there is no Senate. When required, legislation may be reviewed also by the Constitutional Court before being signed into law by the President. A new Central Bank of the Australian Commonwealth distributes national revenue with 25% going to the National Treasury and 75% going to the Regions on the basis of population. This, together with clear allocation of responsibilities to each level of government, eliminates “pork-barreling” and “buck-passing”; and facilitates cooperation between the National Parliament and the Regions. Human rights are enshrined in the Constitution. Furthermore, the People have the right to initiate referenda to change the Constitution and to create, amend and annul legislation. There is also a clear definition of the responsibilities of citizens including an obligation to serve the nation in the armed forces or emergency services. At both levels of government, representatives sit in round-table configuration and each Member has an equal right to speak; thus creating effective government by and for the People by eliminating party politics and block voting. A 75% majority is required to pass legislation. The Constitution establishes a set of basic laws. Most crimes against society will be expressed as crimes contrary to the Constitution - greatly reducing the need for reams of criminal code and ensuring that the Constitution remains a living document with continuing relevance to everyday living. In the justice system, judges will be trained as judges from an early age and follow a career path separate from that of lawyers and barristers. Cases before the courts will be conducted by judges who have the power to direct investigations, call witnesses and conduct cross-examinations. The primary concern of judges will be to ascertain the truth and to administer justice. The letter of the law will be a secondary consideration. Also established in the Constitution is monetary policy that re-establishes a fixed valuation of the Australian Dollar, restricts imports to the value of exports, prohibits overseas borrowing, restricts the creation of credit to the central bank and fixes interest rates. That is, interest rates will be fixed at 5% reducing per annum for the duration of all loans. This rate can be changed; but only by the People voting at referendum. The central bank also controls the economy by controlling the creation of new money. The Constitution introduces the debit tax system at 0.1% to eliminate the Goods and Services Tax with provision for this rate to rise and gradually replace all other forms of taxation. No more tax rorts, tax concessions, tax returns or BAS with massive savings to business through a cost effective tax system. Last but not least, the Constitution provides that the Nation will only go to war following a “Yes” vote by the People at referendum. Also included is a War Act. This Act will commit the whole nation to the war effort, will eliminate profiteering and will ensure Service men and women are treated appropriately before, during and after war service.
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E-mail: constitution@national-renewal.org.au Last updated 24 March 2009 |