New England Online > History > Treaty of Wellington > Text of the Treaty
Text of the Treaty of Wellington
- Article I - Declaration of Support
- Article II - Constitutional Arrangements
- Article III - Inter-Government Relations
- Article IV - Border Arrangements
- Article V - Creation of New England and the Reconstitution of the State of New South Wales
- Article VI - Return of Prisoners and Decommissioning of Arms
- Article VII - Implementation
- Notes
Article I - Declaration of Support
1. We, the participants in these negotiations, believe that the agreement we have negotiated offers an opportunity for renewal and establishment of a permanent peace in Australasia.
2. The tragedy of the conflict has left a permanent scar on our land and a profoundly regrettable legacy of suffering. It is the duty of us all to never forget those who have died or been injured, and their families. But we can best honour them through a fresh start, in which we firmly dedicate ourselves to the achievement of reconciliation, tolerance, and mutual trust, and to the protection and vindication of the human rights of all.
3. We are committed to partnership, equality and mutual respect as the basis of the future relationship between New England and Australia.
4. We reaffirm our total and absolute commitment to exclusively democratic and peaceful means of resolving differences on political issues, and our opposition to any use or threat of force by others for any political purpose, whether in regard to this agreement or otherwise.
5. We acknowledge the substantial differences between our continuing, and equally legitimate, political aspirations. However, we will endeavour to strive in every practical way towards reconciliation and rapprochement within the framework of democratic and agreed arrangements. We pledge that we will, in good faith, work to ensure the success of each and every one of the arrangements to be established under this agreement.
6. It is accepted that all of the institutional and constitutional arrangements - an independent New England, a reconstituted New South Wales and the Australasian Council and any future amendments to Constitutions of Australia or New England - are essential to the success of the agreement, and the success of each of these threads depends on that of the other.
7. Accordingly, in a spirit of concord, we strongly commend this agreement to the people of New England for their approval.
Article II - Constitutional Arrangements
8. The agreement requires the full support of the people of the areas under the control of the Provisional Council of New England. The parties accept that:
- The ultimate status of New England shall be determined by the people of New England and they may choose to form an independent nation or reunite with the Commonwealth at a time of their choosing
- That should New England choose to become and independent nation, the Commonwealth will aid and assist the creation of this nation and allow for the creation of independent institutions within a reasonable time frame
- That should New England choose to reunite with the the Commonwealth at any time in the future, the expected outcome should be the creation of a new state of the Commonwealth.
9. Within six months, the Commonwealth, with the assistance of the New Zealand Government, shall put to the people of New England the text of this agreement for their consent.
10. If the people New England should consent to this treaty, a constitution and frame of government shall be furnished for their approval within six months
Article III - Inter-Government Relations
11. If the people of New England should chose to become and independent state, there shall be an inter-government council to promote the harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of relationships among the peoples of this continent. This council shall be known as the Australasian Council.
12. Membership of the council will comprise representatives of the Australian and New England Governments, and a representative from the Government of New Zealand to facilitate the conduct of the council.
13. The council will meet in three different formats:
- At summit level, twice per year
- In specific ministerial formats on a regular basis, with each side represented by the appropriate Minister
- In an appropriate format to consider cross-ministerial matters
14. Representatives of members will operate in accordance with whatever procedures for democratic authority and accountability are in force in their respective elected institutions.
15. The council will exchange information, discuss, consult and use best endeavours to reach agreement on co-operation on matters of mutual interest within the competence of the relevant Administrations. Suitable issues for early discussion in the council could include transport links, agricultural issues, environmental issues, cultural issues, health issues and education issues. Suitable arrangements to be made for practical co-operation on agreed policies.
16. The council normally will operate by consensus. In relation to decisions on common policies or common actions, including their means of implementation, it will operate by agreement of all members participating in such policies or actions.
17. The members of the council, on a basis to be agreed between them, will provide such financial support to the institutions of the council as required.
18. A secretariat for the ANEIC will be provided by the New Zealand Government in co-ordination with officials of the Australian and New England Governments.
19. The council shall be made up of a number of committees, with powers relating to interests that concern all people of the continent. The committees shall be as follows:
- Aviation Communications Commission
- Border Commission
- Commission For Weapons Decommissioning
- Military Protocol Commission
- Repatriations Commission
20. The Governments of Australia and New England shall make legislative provision for the committees of the ANEIC to function fully and without hindrance.
Article IV - Border Arrangements
21. The ANEIC shall be charged with the final negotiation of the border between Australia and New England, and shall be directed by the will of the people and their ratification of this agreement.
22. The agreed upon border shall be fixed by a separate border treaty that shall be agreed to and signed in a period not exceeding five years from the ratification of this agreement.
Article V - Creation of New England and the Reconstitution of the State of New South Wales
23. With the consent of the people of New England, an independent nation shall be created consisting all of those Local Government Areas that consent to this agreement. Furthermore, the Commonwealth shall conduct the vote in the Local Government Areas as they existed on 1 January 2000. All subsequent boundary changes and amalgamations shall be disregarded.
24. A Transitional Government of New England shall be created with powers and institutions that shall be provided by the Parliament of Australia within thirty days of this treaty having been agreed to
25. The Commonwealth shall agree to recognise the Kingdom of New England as a full and sovereign nation that shall be allowed to take it's place in the family of nations without hindrance, interference and recrimination by the Commonwealth or it's agents.
26. The Commonwealth agrees to allow the Kingdom a fair and mutually agreed to timetable to create the necessary institutions and infrastructure to maintain independent financial, health, education, military and transport systems without interference and excessive charge to the Kingdom of New England.
27. The Commonwealth shall, within one year, facilitate the reconstitution of the State of New South Wales. The structures of New South Wales shall be determined by a Constitutional Convention to be held within six months.
28. The findings of the convention shall be presented to be the people of New South Wales for their ratification within one year.
Article VI - Return of Prisoners and Decommissioning of Arms
29. The participants note that the development of a peaceful environment on the basis of this agreement can and should mean a normalisation of security arrangements and practices. This shall include the exchange of prisoners and the decommissioning of arms held by the Militia. To this end, there shall be a Commission For Weapons Decommissioning and the Governments in developing schemes which can represent a workable basis for achieving the decommissioning of illegally-held arms in the possession of paramilitary groups.
30. The Australian Government will make progress towards the objective of as early a return as possible to normal security arrangements in New England, dealing with:
- The removal of all members of the Australian Defence Force to levels compatible with a normal peaceful society;
- The removal of all security installations;
- The removal of emergency powers in New England; and
- Other measures appropriate to and compatible with a normal peaceful society.
31. All participants accordingly reaffirm their commitment to the total disarmament of all militia organisations. They also confirm their intention to continue to work constructively and in good faith with the Commission, and to use any influence they may have, to achieve the decommissioning of all paramilitary arms within two years following endorsement in referendums North and South of the agreement and in the context of the implementation of the overall settlement.
32. The Commission will monitor, review and verify progress on decommissioning of illegal arms, and will report to both Governments at regular intervals.
33. Both Governments will take all necessary steps to facilitate the decommissioning process is completed in speedy manner. Not withstanding mutually agreed to extensions, the process shall be completed by 1 November 2012.
Article VII - Implementation
34. With the consent of all parties, this agreement shall be implemented on a date agreed to by all parties, but on a day that is no later than 1 November 2012.
Notes
