New England Online > History of New England > Territory of New England
Territory of New England
| Territory of New England | |
| « 2011 - 2012 » | |
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| Location: | |
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| Quick Stats: | |
| Capital: | Armidale |
| Administrator: | Michael Williams |
| Chief-Minister: | Jonathon Braddock |
| Area: - Total: |
Ranked 8th 64,763 km² |
| Population: - Total: - Density: |
Ranked 7th 325,000 5.02/km² |
| Currency: | Australian Dollar |
| Time Zone: | UTC +10 |
| Internet TLD | .au |
| Calling Code: | 61 |
The Territory of New England was the name given to New England from the 6 November 2011 until 30 September 2012. The territory was created out of the agreements reached in the Treaty of Wellington, with an elected government that was charged with the domestic upkeep of the New England area until independence.
Establishment
Under the provisions of the Treaty of Wellington, a referendum was held across northern New South Wales on 5 November 2011. The referendum has held to determine which areas wanted to become independent, and which would remain in Australian hands.
Despite some irregularities that were observed by EU and New Zealand electoral officials, the results were formally agreed by both sides the following Monday. The majority of the region had voted to become independent and so it was agreed that the right to self determination would commence immediately.
With the passing of New England Act, the area of New England that would become independent was separated from the jurisdiction of NSW and placed in the hands of the Provisional Government of New England.
Functions & Powers
Technically, the government was still responsible to the Commonwealth, and legally it was an Australian External Territory, but in reality it was free to exercise any power it wished within the limits of the caretaker conventions. Likewise, the Commonwealth was bound by the same principles and so neither authority could act without the express permission of the other on matters dealing with the New England area.
On the 6 November 2011, an Administrator was appointed to be the Governor-General's representative in New England. The first and only Administrator was Michael Williams. The Administrator was assisted by an appointed Legislative Council consisting of fifteen members. The Council was led by a Chief-Minister, who for the entire period was Jonathon Braddock.
In a unique legal position established in the Treaty, the federal parliament had to enact separate legislation for New England, and could only do so after it had passed the Legislative Council. In domestic affairs, the council had full control, whereas all external matters remained in the power of the commonwealth. The residents of New England remained Australian citizens until independence.
Dissolution
This arrangement remained in place little a little under one year, when on the 30 September 2012, The Royal Assent was given to the New England Act, which removed the final legal connexions between Australia and New England. The Act gave full authority to the New Englander's to determine their fate and removed all Australian sovereignty from New England. At midnight on 1 October, New England became a fully independent nation and it's constitution and legal institutions became legally binding.
| Timeline of New England History | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: Civil War |
Transitional Government 2011 - 2012 |
Succeeded by: New Found Nation |
| History of New England | ||
| Timeline: Pre-History · Colonial Times · Proudly Australian · Winds of Change · Shadows of Dissent · Civil War Transitional Government · New Found Nation · Toil and Trouble · Five Day War · Engagement To Europe · Recent Times |
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| Topics: Military · New State Movement | ||
