To do list: merge with New Zealand? (2 Viewers)

[loquasagacious]

There was a brief article in the herald yesterday which touched on the idea of Australia and New Zealand merging. Of course it's not really a new idea, it was openly discussed before Federation and came so close to being that the constitution makes provisions for it.

Some may recall the story cropping up in 2006:

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.

Obviously it's not an issue without complexities but on the other hand how complex would it really be? We are already culturally very similar and basically operate as a free trade zone including free movement of labour. Would it be worth the expense and the hassle?

Personally I'm in favour of a merger because it just seems the sensible thing to do and we're more than halfway there already.

I do wonder though if Australians tend to be more in favour of this than New Zealanders because we would inevitably end up the dominant partner in the merger?

 

[Daft_Punk]

why dont all countries merge and create one giant country, we all have similarities. Why dont the USA and Canada merge?

what is the point, how would it benefit anyone?

 

[Iron]

Unity or death

 

[S.H.O.D.A.N.]

The Australian constitution still has the provision for the colony of New Zealand to join the new Commonwealth Federation. Oh, you already said that.

But in reality, it will happen by free trade and movement, banking, food regulation, etc ties increasing to the point that the two countries are economically indistinguishable. In much the same way the Eurozone and EU work.

I agree that Aussies support it more than NZ'ers do. I think NZ'ers are quite opposed to the notion.

 

[JonathanM]

New Zealand only narrowly missed becoming a part of Australia when the Federation vote was held.

It's a great idea. I have known of so many New Zealand people who live, work and study in Australia and don't have access to benefits they really should have. I also have friends living in New Zealand who always have such huge difficulty trying to get to Uni here. Good from every point of view imo, except for two and they are:

1. sport, if we become 1 nation this could ruin the great rivalries we have (like in rugby and cricket)

2. sort of off the first point, I think becoming one nation sort of has the possibility of ruining that relationship we have? Just a hunch, nothing to base this on.

 

[JonathanM]

I agree that Aussies support it more than NZ'ers do. I think NZ'ers are quite opposed to the notion.

Which is funny when you consider that they really rely on us more than we do on them (in areas such as education, trade and if it were to come to it, definitely military).

 

[loquasagacious]

1. sport, if we become 1 nation this could ruin the great rivalries we have (like in rugby and cricket)

2. sort of off the first point, I think becoming one nation sort of has the possibility of ruining that relationship we have? Just a hunch, nothing to base this on.

State of Origin seems to work fine.... a more common sporting criticism might be a reduced number of slots on a combined Olympic team versus individual teams.

Similarly (and more importantly) a reduced number of votes on any international committees/organisations both countries are on. Having said that though I don't think NZ gets a look in at any important organisations, not that Australia does that much better in that respect.

 

[Iron]

The Australian constitution still has the provision for the colony of New Zealand to join the new Commonwealth Federation. Oh, you already said that.

But in reality, it will happen by free trade and movement, banking, food regulation, etc ties increasing to the point that the two countries are economically indistinguishable. In much the same way the Eurozone and EU work.

I agree that Aussies support it more than NZ'ers do. I think NZ'ers are quite opposed to the notion.

yeh, well, my gr8 gr8 (gr8..?) uncle wrote the constitution, so chew on that

he insisted that states retain control over water under s100, nd I think that I speak for everyone when i say that that was a bloody gud idea

 

[loquasagacious]

yeh, well, my gr8 gr8 (gr8..?) uncle wrote the constitution, so chew on that

he insisted that states retain control over water under s100, nd I think that I speak for everyone when i say that that was a bloody gud idea

Neg repped for you uncle....

EDIT: I couldn't bring myself to do it

 

[Iron]

Posed you for your loyalty

EDIT: Bos couldnt bring itself to do it!
Dun worry, we'll geld u up soon gurl

 

[katie tully]

New Zealand narrowly missed becoming Aus because in 1901 it took too long to travel to NZ from Aus.

This is no longer an issue.

 

[BBJames]

yeah mate, are we going to see Ozzies doing the Haka in green and gold?

like wtf m8.

 

[Iron]

Aboriginal, TSI and Maori people are advised that the following program may or may not contain traces of nuts

 

[BBJames]

I think the Maori guy with blond hair on the end is laughing. lolz

edit: I also think he is a secret jew, not that it matters.

 

[Rasengan2dabalz]

Honestly, new zeland is like a kid who wants freedom and shit, so he/she moves out, and then goes running back to mum and dad (Australia) when shit gets too much for them.

 

[loquasagacious]

Aboriginal, TSI and Maori people are advised that the following program may or may not contain traces of nuts

Aboriginal and TSI people could stand to be significant winners if a Maori-esque arrangement was put in place on our side of the Tasman - not that I really see that happening because Aboriginal + TSI = 2.5% of the population versus Maori's at 13%.

That and I think it would be a real step backwards for Indigenous Australians by effectively turning them into a fringe special interest party with limited impact.

 

[Serius]

I have no real emotional objections to this, it seems like a good idea to me, i just dont see any really strong reason for it, or many good ones against it.

If it was up to me then sure, go ahead sounds like fun, lets get more land! NZ can join the party.

Maybe we could just slowly strengthen ties or something and do this gradually? i dont know how much more two soverign nations can get into bed together but rushing into becoming one seems... imprudent.

 

[Uncle]

tie with the english monarchy.
tie with new zealand.
the united states of england becomes establish.!!

i just finshed my MATLAB exercise for non ideal gas plots and ratios in 5 minutes.
WIN.

 

[*TRUE*]

New Zealanders will not be stoked with the idea, bro.

 

[TommySix]

Never!

I want some place nice and peaceful that will remain unspoiled by the Australian way of government and politics especially our American style fear and hysteria.

Actually, I say we become the 51st state, that way at least we will have a constitutional right to guns, get a bill of rights, stop having to kow tow to the Queen, pay less taxes and get DOMESTIC postage rates when ordering from CONUS!