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Is Australia still tied to Britain's legal and political systems?
Yes and no.The last real legal and/or political tie to Britain was severed on 3 March 1986, when the Australia Acts came into effect. The Australia Acts declared that Australia had the status of a Sovereign, Independent and Federal Nation.The nation still retains Elizabeth II as head of state, but her position as Australia's head of state is a completely separate position from her position as the head of state of any other country, including the UK. What the Australia Act effectively did was remove the ability of the British Government to make laws for Australia and removed the last legal link with the UK by abolishing the right of appeal to the judicial committee of the Privy Council.Some might say Australia is still on a path to independence as we are still technically ruled by the British monarchy, even though that monarchy does not have any right to interfere with Australian laws. Currently, Australia chooses to remain in the Commonwealth. It has not yet elected to go down the path of republicanism.
What impact did the British empire have on australia?
The British Empire had a significant impact on Australia, as it colonized the continent in the late 18th century. This colonization led to the displacement and mistreatment of the indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The British also introduced their legal, political, and social systems, which continue to influence Australian society today. Additionally, the British brought European diseases, animals, and crops to Australia, fundamentally changing the continent's ecosystem and economy.
Did sumeria have laws?
Yes, they were the first country to have laws.
Why was the white Australia policy abolished?
The white Australia policy originally developed during the 1800s because many Australians came from English stock and as a result felt that they were superior. They didn't even officially recognise the existence of aboriginals. They felt that by allowing other races into the country that their position would be swamped by ensuring cheap labour market and that they would become an unemployed minority in their own country. Some Australians wanted a "White Australia" policy and they believed Federation would enable the development and maintenance of a "White Australia", by toughening immigration laws. There was lingering resentment over the Chinese who had come during the gold rush, made their fortune (as they were far more industrious than Australians) and then returned to their own country, taking their fortune with them. Some stayed and set up businesses in towns, but they were always looked down upon. It was hoped by some (not all) that a White Australia policy would ensure employment for Australians. Some colonies were opposed to this policy as they used foreign labour, which was often much cheaper than local labour. An example of this is Queensland, which employed Kanakas (people from the Cook Islands). Under the new constitution, not only the Kanakas, but also the much-feared Chinese, who came to Australia during the gold rush, would not be allowed into Australia. Thus Federation would eliminate unwanted foreigners, providing more employment for Australians.
Why is Federation good for Australia?
There are many reasons why Federation was good for Australia:Trade: There were steep tariffs imposed on the transport of goods across the borders of the states. Federation removed these tariffs and allow for free trade between the states.Unions and labour laws: It was hoped that labour laws would be standardised across the states with Federation. The great Shearers' Strike of the 1890s had resulted in the formation of workers' unions, and the newly-formed Australian Labor Party saw that unification would allow this standardisation.Transport: There was no standard railway gauge across the country and railway lines changed at the colonial borders. It was believed Federation would see the introduction of uniform railway gauges across the states, but in reality this did not occur for another eighty years or so.Some Australians wanted a "White Australia" policy. They believed Federation would enable the development and maintenance of a "White Australia", by toughening immigration laws. There was lingering resentment over the Chinese who had come during the gold rush, made their fortune (as they were far more industrious than Australians) and then returned to their own country, taking their fortune with them. Some stayed and set up businesses in towns, but they were always looked down upon. It was hoped by some (not all) that a White Australia policy would ensure employment for Australians. Some colonies were opposed to this policy as they used foreign labour, which was often much cheaper than local labour. An example of this is Queensland, which employed Kanakas (people from the Cook Islands). Under the new constitution, not only the Kanakas, but also the much-feared Chinese, who came to Australia during the gold rush, would not be allowed into Australia. Thus Federation would eliminate unwanted foreigners, providing more employment for Australians.Independence from England: Federation was but a small step in the overall independence of Australia, allowing it to move away from the influence of Mother England and become a self-governing nation in its own right. Again, this was a process which took many decades, but Federation certainly enabled that first step.Other important laws were to be made uniform, such as taxes and banking. This was particularly important in the light of the recent (1892) depression, which was a time of economic instability. Many saw that Federation, in bringing unity, could only bring more stability to the country.Defence: Each of the states had its own defence force. Each individual state's defence force was not strong enough to protect Australia's vast coastline from attack. There were distinct advantages in uniting the defence under one command, an important consideration as the German and French presence in the Pacific increased.Laws: Laws could be enforced better if accused people could not escape to a neighbouring colony.Sporting teams were representing "Australia", not individual states.
