| Kris |
I can see the reaction to this recommendations:
NZ, Australia 'should consider merger'
December 4, 2006 - 8:00PM
Australia and New Zealand should consider becoming one country, a bi-partisan Government committee has recommended.
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs considered the possibility of harmonising Australia and New Zealand's legal systems.
It found the two countries had a uniquely close relationship stemming from New Zealand being one of seven colonies of Australasia prior to federation in 1901.
"While Australia and New Zealand are of course two sovereign nations, it seems to the committee that the strong ties between the two countries - the economic, cultural, migration, defence, governmental and people-to-people linkages - suggest that an even closer relationship, including the possibility of union, is both desirable and realistic," it found.
The committee recommended the Australian parliament invite the New Zealand parliament to establish a committee to work towards harmonisation of the legal systems.
"The committee is of the view therefore that Australia and New Zealand would benefit from collaboration at the parliamentary level to ensure ongoing harmonisation of their legal systems and to investigate future options for mutually beneficial activity, including the possibility of union."
"The committee is also mindful that the harmonisation of laws is very much the art of the possible. Thus the merger of Australia and New Zealand or the progression to a unitary system of government in Australia, however desirable, might not be easy to achieve."
Australia and New Zealand should also consider introducing a common currency, and allowing one parliament to voluntarily cede responsibility for drafting particular legislation to the other.
The inquiry also considered laws within Australia and found a number of specific laws that varied between states and should be made consistent.
The committee identified a number of "quite absurd" situations resulting from the lack of legal harmonisation, including that power of attorney granted in NSW would not be valid in the ACT.
Also, legal requirements for employers to provide first-aid kits specify different bandage widths in each state.
It found a referendum to change the constitution may be needed for the Federal Government to harmonise legislation. |
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| ekaxel |
| Is English (our variety or theirs) these folks first language???, or is this a bad joke? |
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| hfelknor |
Well, I find it SHOCKING that the width of band aids is different between these two fine upstanding countries :rolleyes: that have nothing better to do than this...........
My opinion of Oz just bottomed out.
Homer |
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| Corin |
I think that would certainly piss off a lot of Kiwis. When we were there, it seemed New Zealanders (Kiwis) were very proud of the fact that they were their own company, specifically separated from Australia. As they should be. They have a wonderful country and would be a shame to have them "just be considered part of Australia."
Many people (especially Americans) just think of New Zealand as this tiny island right off the coast of Australia. But it's actually quite a ways from Australia (WELL over 1000 miles) and is larger than California. I can think of many other countries that are smaller and closer to other countries that could be merged... :) |
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| GripperDon |
| Never knew they were 1000 miles away physically and even more socially. :D |
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