Should Australia And New Zealand Merge?

[aniken]

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.

[Turbo6man]

Australia and New Zealand merge eh? What is this, a sheep named "Australia" joke? Aren't we bending over enough for them already? Letting them move over here and collect our dole? Live in our best beach side suburbs? "Enough", I say!!

[RHR]

Now tell me why we would wanna come under the same umbrella as the PPL who are renouned for farking sheep

[RAP1D]

Spend a day in sydney and you'll think its allready happened... Eh gil

[phantomchic]

this is an outrage..

is gonna happen at the Bledisloe cup and Tri Nations series

since oz is the majority I wonder if the all blacks will adopt this

shazzy

[Evil F6]

Only on the currency should they merge. Other than that it's important to keep them as separate identities. A merger would be totally rejected by New Zealanders. A unified market would have benefits, especially NZ. It'd be nice if it meant they could get cheaper petrol (what a ripoff $1.43l)

[RAP1D]

It wont happen

[Iconic Bionic]

It wont happen

←

Well I really hope not.

[RHR]

this is an outrage..

is gonna happen at the Bledisloe cup and Tri Nations series  

since oz is the majority  I wonder if the all blacks will adopt this

shazzy

←

Somehow I dont think that they'll be alowed to do this in response to the Kiwi's Haka

The vid is pretty damn aussie

SO show yourself who is the 1 person who voted yes??

Edited 04/12/06 12:49 PM by revheadrobbo

[cobrav8]

At least sheep are more attractive than the kangaroos you lot molest!