Published Resources Details
Journal Article
- Title
- National Development and the Constitution
- In
- ATSE focus
- Imprint
- vol. 107, May/Jun 1999
- ISBN/ISSN
- 1326-8708
- Abstract
Prior to Federation, the states of Australia operated as independent economies, virtually as separate countries. The Constitution was written to preserve that independence. It was never intended that the new Commonwealth Government would be granted powers to manage a national economy. At that time, a national economy did not exist.
Now, 100 years later, Australia is vulnerable because the Australian Government does not have sufficient powers to defend the national economy, or to plan and build for national development. This is the most serious problem facing the nation. The only major national infrastructure project in our history was the Snowy Mountains Scheme, started 50 years ago and authorised under the defence powers of the Commonwealth. There is now much to be done. The Australian Government has vital national responsibilities. The Commonwealth should have the powers to plan and build for national development.