NORTH QUEENSLAND STATE HISTORY
The following discourse is an historical overview of the struggle for North Queensland statehood.
One may have expected that the people of Brisbane who struggled for years before obtaining separation from New South Wales with the proclamation of 10 December, 1859 might have nurtured a fellow concern for their Northern counterparts but history has proven this not to be the case. Therefore, North Queenslanders cannot expect others residing in the “deep south” who hold the political power to act in their best interests.
The foreword by James Cook University Professor Brian J. Dalton in the book, “Separatism in Townsville” (1981) by Christine Doran claims that the separation movement is, “the oldest, most persistent and most widely supported political movement in North Queensland before the federation of the Australian colonies.”
John Dunmore Lang (1852) in his book, “Freedom and Independence for the Golden Lands of Australia”, proposed three new Northern Colonies. Agitation for separation continued to intensify to the end of the 19th century until 1887 the North Queensland Separation League sent a delegation to England to submit a case for separation to the Secretary of State, Sir Henry Holland. In following years many memorials praying for separation were presented to Parliament by representatives of both Northern and Central Queensland, and in 1892 the Central Queensland Separation League followed the example of the Northerners by sending a delegation to London.
(The Australian Encyclopaedia Vol. 7. 5th Ed. 1988 Sydney: The Grolier Society of Australia)
“Agitation for the separation of North Queensland reached a peak of intensity in Townsville during the 1800 and early 1890s. Beginning in 1882, a number of organizational bodies were formed to channel this agitation into a cohesive movement aimed to secure territorial separation. The structure of the separatist organization in Townsville during this period was quite complex, and was remarkable for its fluidity.” Some leading identities of the time were John Macrossan, Robert Philip, Thankful Percy Willmett and Alfred Henry. John Melton Black a representative of the North Queensland Separation League expressed the hope that the year of Her Majesty’s jubilee would be marked by the creation of a Northern Colony. In 1884 there was also a “dramatic upsurge of interest in separation in Mackay, and other coastal centres.” Separatism was closely associated with progress, independence and also served as a limiting factor to divisive class conflicts by providing a unity of purpose for diverse interest groups.
Doran, Christine (1981) Separatism in Townsville. Townsville: James Cook University of North Queensland, p.1-2, 38.
A separate Northern State should have become reality in 1897 when a William Kidstone MLA (Rockhampton) proposal was passed on the Speaker's casting vote after a twenty for and twenty against split. Victory was within the grasp of the people from the North at last but on the following day a number of absent members of the Assembly advised Sir Hugh Nelson (Premier) in writing that the resolution was carried "in a very thin house" after a late night sitting. They recorded their dissent even though they had been absent from the house. The fact that Separation did not eventuate from that historic moment proved Archibald Archer's MLA (Rockhampton) warning that, “Forces of vast power” would oppose separation. (McDonald, Lorna, 1981 Rockhampton: A History of City and District. St Lucia: University of Queensland Press, p.553.)
Since Federation state legislatures have carried resolutions affirming the desirability of new States in Queensland on two occasions – 1910 and 1922.
In 1948 another New State Movement was inaugurated in North Queensland, following which the governor's speech at the opening of the Queensland Parliament in August 1948 contained the suggestion that new States might be formed in Queensland when they had a reasonable degree of economic stability. That prerequisite has not been an issue for decades.
The North Queensland Movement received an additional impetus following a representative popular convention held at Mareeba in August 1955 when the “New State for North Queensland Movement” was officially launched. Agitation for a North Queensland State persisted throughout the 1970's and 80's with continued demands for a referendum.
(The Australian Encyclopaedia Vol.7. 5th Ed. 1988 Sydney: The Grolier Society of Australia)
The driving force at this time was the North Queensland Self-Government League which had the aim of having, "a separate self-governing sovereign state by 1988" led by Frank Rossiter of Burdekin Dam fame and Laurie Fabrellas.
In 1994 the North Queensland Party was formed with Frank Rossiter of Townsville once again as a leading figure. The new North Queensland state flag was proposed and approved at a meeting in Townsville on the 16 October, 1994. In attendance were Frank Rossiter, Max Keating, Alex Caldwell, Beryl Hunter and other leading figures supporting a separate state. The blue and white North Queensland State Flag was designed by Edward Cattoni . The flag consisted of the Southern Cross to the left with a white eight pointed stylised Tropical Sun containing a blue Marlin within it on the right in the fly. The design dated back to 1980 and first flown at his father’s (Victor Cattoni) sugar cane property at El Alamein Road, Abergowrie near Ingham. It replaced an older version of the flag which had the British Blue Ensign defaced (Union Jack) at the top left corner with a different yellow stylised sun with the green letters NQ within it in the fly.
The front page of, “The Townsville Bulletin” dated 5 June, 2000 carried the headline, “Mighty Yes Vote for Northern State” as a 60% favourable result for a survey they conducted for North Queensland statehood. On the 27 October, 2000 “The Australian” newspaper reported Professor Geoffrey Blainey as saying, “… there is a clear case for each major region possessing its own state government. The sad fact is that the newest state is Queensland – created 141 years ago. The United States in contrast has created close to 20 in the same time. We do not have enough states; we thus miss one of the advantages of federalism” which is that states focus on local issues that often vary greatly within the states' borders. Professor Blainey went on to predict that a North Queensland state would eventually emerge once the Northern Territory became a state.
More recent supporters of a North Queensland state have been Tony Mooney (former Mayor of Townsville), Jenny Hill (Mayor of Townsville), Robbie Katter (MLA Mount Isa/Traeger), Shane Knuth (MLA Dalrymple/Hill), Nick Dametto (MLA Hinchinbrook), federal politicians Bob Katter Jr. (MHR – Kennedy) and Clive Palmer PUP/UAP (MHR – Fairfax) and Queensland Senator Matthew Canavan LNP based in Rockhampton. The front page of “The Courier-Mail” dated (10/08/2010) alleged that the majority of North Queensland Mayors were in favour of the separation from Queensland proper. In fact, according to “The Courier-Mail, only two of the 100 delegates at the NQ Local Government Association meeting were against the proposal.
Politicians such a former Premier Anna Bligh have attempted to appease separatists by proclaiming regional development “ toothless paper tiger” policies and declaring Townsville as, “the second capital of Queensland” while simultaneously claiming that the south east corner of Queensland subsidises the north. Such an unsubstantiated claim denies the economic reality of the mining boom, agricultural, manufacturing, business, military, tourist assets and population growth. If North Queensland is in fact an economic burden to the south then it would be in their best to jettison the north. Unfortunately for North Queensland separatists many compliant, non-visionary politicians and their “leaders” still hold a similar opinion. This is particularly true for southern based politicians who fear the loss of the northern wealth which they have used for decades to redistribute for the betterment of their southern constituents but to the detriment of North Queensland. Logic alone dictates that it would be best if Townsville was the first capital rather than the second.
On 8 December, 2015 an open to the public meeting titled, “An Independent State of North Queensland: Economic Evidence & Contemporary Federalism” was held at James Cook University, Townsville City Campus. It was organized and delivered by Colin Dwyer (Economist) and Peter Raffles (Barrister). The meeting was filled to capacity and was attended by Bob Katter (Katter’s Australian Party). The meeting provided well researched economic, legal and political evidence to support a North Queensland state thus providing authoritative proof that the separate North Queensland state movement continues to have widespread contemporary political appeal and momentum. The most appropriate wording for a North Queensland state referendum was determined and presented by Peter Raffles (Barrister) as:-
“DO YOU AGREE that North Queensland should proceed towards Statehood?”
Peter Raffles is also the driving force and president for the newly invigorated North Queensland State Alliance, Inc. based in Townsville.
Jason Costigan, former (LNP) Queensland Legislative Assembly member for Whitsunday formed the North Queensland First party in 2019 with the objective to promote and deliver Self-Government and Statehood for North Queensland.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Queensland_First
In 2021, Bill Bates from Cairns established the Regionals (Regional Australia Party) a northern political movement with the core objective being a separate state for North Queensland based in Cairns.
Another spurious argument used to detract support for North Queensland statehood is that it would only end up doubling the number of politicians. This erroneous generalisation conveniently ignores the reality that with the exception of the federal senate the politicians who allegedly already represent the north would continue to do so but as representatives of a North Queensland state. There would be no doubling up of politicians. Once under the umbrella of a separate North Queensland state, they by definition would be forced to truly represent and support the north and not simply tow the party line to appease the power brokers of Brisbane. With separation comes responsibility, independence and self-determination.
Also, the decision as to which city should become the new capital of North Queensland has been used as a political tool to detract from the cause of a separate North Queensland state. The historical and ingrained Cairns –Townsville rivalry has hindered rather than helped the cause as each has pushed its own case at the expense of the other thus aiding the entrenchment of the status quo. One possible solution that has been proposed is to implement a Canberra style solution and make the historic capital of Charters Towers the compromise capital of North Queensland. Also, the historic northern port of Cardwell is another alternative. Either of these two options would have the added advantages of reinforcing North Queensland’s decentralisation credentials and help negate the Cairns –Townsville rivalry.
What does a separate North Queensland state mean for Rugby League’s premier event, the State of Origin? North Queenslanders can have their own State of Origin team and hold games at their new proposed Townsville stadium, therefore boosting the local and northern economy plus providing the opportunity for more players to perform at the highest level. The Cowboy’s historic 2015 victory proves that all things North Queensland are possible. A bit of lateral thinking would even incorporate Victoria via Melbourne Storm.
The vexed issue of daylight saving would be resolved with a separate North Queensland state as Brisbane and the south east could go its own way.
There is no impediment for North Queensland becoming a separate State because the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia Chapter VI, Sections 121-4 provides the machinery for the creation of New States by the granting of self-government to Federal Territories, by the subdivision
of existing States or by the union of parts of States.
Given the capital city centric development fostered by Australia’s state and federal governments it would stand to reason that more states would mean more decentralised infrastructure and population growth. The majority of politicians are based in capital cities therefore they dominate the decision making process at the expense of provincial areas and regions. This continues to fuel the quest for a separate state and keep the flame of North Queensland statehood alive today. Therefore, statehood continues to provide the best vehicle to self-determination and independence because it is the states that are recognized in the Australian constitution not regions or local authorities.
North Queensland State dividing line proposals have varied and have included the provision of up to three states (colonies) carrying such names as put forward in 1852 by John Dunmore Lang as Cooksland, Leichartsland and Flindersland. Separation movements based around Rockhampton have often favoured the state name of Capricornia and is a credible historical alternative. The dividing line determined to be just south of the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 degrees south) incorporating the city of Gladsone. However, in more recent times the two state solution has gained more popular appeal with a division somewhere north of Rockhampton and carrying the new state name of North Queensland. The main border line proposals have therefore centred on the Tropic of Capricorn to include both Rockhamtopn and Gladstone but more recently just south of Sarina at 22 degrees latitude. While both have their merits and supporters the latter of these proposals appears to have the most current political and geographic appeal to North Queenslanders.
In conclusion it can be stated that the struggle for a separate North Queensland State has been long and disillusioning for many of those who have fought for this worthy cause. Apathy, indifference and a prolonged psychological conditioning for the status quo have always been Brisbane's greatest weapon against North Queensland. Northerners have become second class citizens in their own resource rich state. The development of North Queensland can be driven politically just as much as it can be done economically. This is exemplified by the development of Canberra and the ACT. North Queensland has a larger population than Tasmania, ACT and the Northern Territory but significantly less political representation. Statehood aims for equality of opportunity and equal political representation. A separate self-governing state is therefore the only answer to overcome the economic, social and political inequalities endured by North Queenslanders. If North Queenslanders do not take control of their own destiny, then they cannot expect others in the southeast corner of Queensland to be benevolent enough to do it on their behalf.
Researched and compiled by Edward R. Cattoni – 2013, revised 2022..
* An edited version of this article was published in the periodical, History Queensland, Salisbury, Qld.:-
Citation.
Cattoni, Edward 2013 ‘North Queensland State History’, History Queensland, Issue 9, December 2013, pp. 15–17.
© 1980, 2022.
