The controversy over the beginnings of the history of the oceanic country has not been told the whole truth, he maintains William Coleman, Associate Professor at the National University of Canberra. Textbooks emphasize that the baptism of Australia, as an independent nation, was forged in 1901, when the British colonies were united from New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania.
However, the academic writes in his book entitled Federation of Australia, that the union of the different colonial demarcations is far from being an independent state or nation with all the powers that they imply facing the interior and the exterior. The Australian academic adds that the great event of the early 20th century was actually a botched along with a great propaganda display, to extol the british empire instead of Australian nationalism.
In this regard, he underlines that the fact that the authorities of the time raised the union jack flag, represented by the patron saints of England, Scotland and Ireland, clearly demonstrates the intentions of the Empire. A demonstration and a symbol that the British authorities raised in a hundred schools, and at the same time, continue advancing in their ideals of extending the Imperial domains that, at that time, made up: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and the island of Newfoundland. Each country, each government was administered by itself, but, under the gaze of a super star international, which dominated the British Empire at ease. An empire that extended throughout the fifth part of the world, according to what Professor Coleman recounts in his book.
Another of the arguments proposed by the author about the historical development of Australia is to follow to the letter the governance of the two main commandments of the Westminster system: the forces of the army and international relations.
Reactions for and against the author of the book
Michael Easson, in his publication highlights that William Coleman’s ideas are radical and do not reflect the enthusiasm and Australian nationalism that existed at the beginning of the century, when the Federation period began. Furthermore, he suggests that the author’s perspectives are consistent with the Marxist, feminist and aboriginal sentiments. In this sense, spokespersons and pressure groups that defend the rights of the natives emphasize that until 1967, when for the first time they had the right to vote in general elections, they suffered devastating contagions and diseases and the loss of their lands. For its part, the independent publication Connorcourt, reflects two opinions supporting the thesis of the Australian professor as the authentic reality of the events narrated in the book. Secondly, Deborah Garrett, professor of history at the University of Notre Damewas also in tune with the ideas of William Coleman’s book, regarding the lack of identity values. Australian values and feelings, which began to revive at the beginning of the Second World War.
Western Australia at odds with the federal government
The authorities of the state demarcation, which covers approximately a third of the immense island continent, from the beginning they went against the current in their relations with the federal authorities. At first, they regretted that they were being discriminated against for understanding that did not receive the same benefits than the rest of the state demarcations, despite the substantial contributions they made to the nation’s government. Putting things this way in 1933, the state authorities decreed a referendum to separate from the Central Administration. However, despite the fact that the citizens voted in favor of the referendum, the federal government, together with the authorities of the British Empire, decided annul the results of the referendum.
Academic Deborah Garrett, commenting on the frustrations of the people of Perth, as well as the rest of the cities and county areas in the western part, said that in addition to the problems they had to deal with the central government they felt very isolated from the rest of the continent. Its geographical situation was very complicated. You could only enter by boat, except of course, that some traveler or explorer wanted to arrive through the Outback. On the other hand, he added that, for many years, state authorities professed more admiration for Great Britain, than to the Australian federal regime. And to prove it they ordered the militia, so that the Young people supported Great Britain in the First World War. A measure that the rest of the state governments refused to put into practice.
Leaving behind the development of events through history the state demarcation of the West, today it has become envy for its riches from the rest of Australia and the world. The gross domestic product last year was of the order of 4.3%, a percentage above the most developed countriesbeing the current contributions of the federal government of about 100 billion dollars by mining operations, according to the Energy and Minerals Chamber of Commerce. They are, for the most part, more than 50 mining operations, including coal, iron, gas, aluminum, nickel, bauxite, diamonds and gold.
