Relevance Today
Despite the Commission's apparent importance in the scheme of government envisaged by the framers of the Australian Constitution, it is largely unknown to most Australians today. The Inter-State Commission is mentioned often in two contexts: as a lesson from the past, and as a suggestion for change.
It has been said that the Commission sits oddly outside of the three branches of government. It was intended as an institution of federal-state co-operation, but was to be controlled exclusively by the Commonwealth Government. As a result, it has not played any significant role, and certainly has not fulfilled the expectations of the framers of the Constitution. This is often cited as a lesson as to the importance of federal-state cooperation, and of preserving the balance of power between state and federal governments.
A few arguments have also been made, using the story of the Inter-State Commission, to support certain causes. These include advocates for the abolition of State governments, or some other type of radical change to the Australian system of government. It is also sometimes cited as an example of the inadequacy of the present Australian Constitution, and the importance of either a republic or a bill of rights.
Read more about this topic: Inter-State Commission
Famous quotes containing the words relevance and/or today:
“... whatever men do or know or experience can make sense only to the extent that it can be spoken about. There may be truths beyond speech, and they may be of great relevance to man in the singular, that is, to man in so far as he is not a political being, whatever else he may be. Men in the plural, that is, men in so far as they live and move and act in this world, can experience meaningfulness only because they can talk with and make sense to each other and to themselves.”
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“Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone; You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
—Bible: Hebrew, Deuteronomy 6:4-9.