Suchergebnisse

MODERN AUSTRALIAN INTEREST GROUPS SHOW EVIDENCE OF A NUMBER OD CHARACTERISTICS INCLUDING, AMONG OTHERS, NATIONAL ORGANIZATION, PROFESSIONAL ADMINISTRATION, INCREASINGLY CLOSE CONSULTATIVE ARRANGEMENTS WITH GOVERNMENT, A TENDENCY TO LOCATE THEIR HEADQUARTERS IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL. CANBERRA, AND GROWING INVOLVEMENT IN ELECTORAL POLITICS. THESE DEVELOPMENTS HAVE LED TO INTERNAL STRAINS WITHIN MANY GROUPS AS THEY ATTEMPT TO HOLD TOGETHER A MEMBERSHIP WITH BROAD POLICY INTERESTS. THIS IS HAPPENING AGAINST A BACKGROUND IN WHICH HIGHLY DISCIPLINED POLITICAL PARTIES PLAY A DOMINANT ROLE IN AUSTRALIAN POLITICS AND POLICY. THESE DEVELOPMENTS CAN BE ILLUSTRATED BY A STUDY OF A MAJOR NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, THE AUSTRALIAN CONSERVATION FOUNDATION (ACF), FOUNDED IN 1965, WHICH HAS PLAYED A CENTRAL (AND OFTEN CONTROVERSIAL ROLE) IN THE CONSERVATION MOVEMENT. ITS OWN INTERNAL POLITICS HAVE BEEN TUMULTUOUS. IT HAS DEVELOPED IN A WAY THAT ILLUSTRATES MANY OF THE GENERAL TRENDS AND TENSIONS AS IT COPES BOTH WITH PROFESSIONALISATION, NEW POLITICS, AND THE DEMANDS OF INTERACTION WITH GOVERNMENT.

FOR AUSTRALIA, THE QUESTION OF A REPUBLIC IS A NATIONALIST ISSUE. THE CAMPAIGN FOR AN AUSTRALIAN REPUBLIC MUST, THEREFORE, BE CONSIDERED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EVOLUTION OF MATTERS RELATING TO THE TIES BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND BRITAIN. THESE INCLUDE THE AUSTRALIAN FLAG, THE GOVERNOR-GENERALATE, IMPERIAL AND AUSTRALIAN HONORS, THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, APPEALS TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL, AND THE AUSTRALIA ACT OF 1986. IN THIS PAPER, THESE AND OTHER ISSUES ARE EXAMINED IN AN HISTORICAL CONTEXT. PARTICULAR ATTENTION IS PAID TO THE POLICIES AND PRACTICES OF VARIOUS FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS FROM FEDERATION THROUGH THE KEATING GOVERNMENT.