Today I'm angry about.....

[Montreal Wanderer]

You might find Canada's system, Dujon, to quote Yogi Berra, that "it's like deja vu all over again". Canada's head of state is the Queen, her representative in the country is the Governor General (selected by the Prime Minister not the monarch) and each of our 10 provinces have a Lt. Governor filling a similar role for their legislatures. So we not only have the same level of independence as Australia we have practically the same system. In 1982 we patriated our constitution (formerly the British North Americas Act, 1867) which severed any dependence on Westminster but did not affect the monarchy. Not sure if Oz still has any dependence on the British government structures.

Ah, thanks, Monty, please excuse my ignorance.

Australia has had its own constitution (not a 'bill of rights') since 1901 when the various states formed a federation. Whilst it's a relatively short document - compared with many other legally recognised documents/acts and such like - it is probably the most scrutinised, analysed and contested declaration in Australia's legal history. If memory serves me correctly it was concocted by a small group of state leaders who isolated themselves on a boat anchored in the Hawkesbury river, just north of Sydney. They were wise men.

That aside, yes, we still use the Westminster system of government. As far as dependence on the British (legal) system goes I believe we do. It's a few years ago now but I'm sure there was an occasion where a plaintiff was granted leave to forward a submission to the British High Court (or Privy Council) to plead a case. Whether or not that avenue for action has been revoked or otherwise I know not.

Following a quick check, the Australia Act (1986) seems to do what our Constitution Act (1982) did, including separating our legal system from appeal to the UK Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (copycats!). The main difference would be that ours did included a Charter of Rights and Freedoms which tends to trump other federal and provincial legislation. Indeed the government actually funded charter challenges to existing legislation and the Supreme Court was pretty busy for a while. Amongst other things this prevented the separatist Parti Quebecois from making French the only official language in Quebec (thank God).

[ratbert]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11833241" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

On the day the transport secretary talks about "an age of austere public spending" Cambo commissions a 'a happiness survey'

[thebish]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11833241

On the day the transport secretary talks about "an age of austere public spending" Cambo commissions a 'a happiness survey'

I think you mean...

[thebish]

staged apologies...

this week - the bishop - forced to apologise when he clearly meant what he said

today - Lord Flyte - having said there was a terrible threat of poor people breeding

then said - "nonsense, my words were taken out of context"

then after Cameron said - "I'm sure he will apologise"

issues a full and unreserved apology.

IT MEANS NOTHING IF YOU DON'T MEAN IT!!! SO WHAT'S THE COCKING POINT????

[Worthy4England]

staged apologies...

this week - the bishop - forced to apologise when he clearly meant what he said

today - Lord Flyte - having said there was a terrible threat of poor people breeding

then said - "nonsense, my words were taken out of context"

then after Cameron said - "I'm sure he will apologise"

issues a full and unreserved apology.

IT MEANS NOTHING IF YOU DON'T MEAN IT!!! SO WHAT'S THE COCKING POINT????

To preserve your current title and it's associated "benefits" - like say "Bishop" or "Lord"...

[thebish]

staged apologies...

this week - the bishop - forced to apologise when he clearly meant what he said

today - Lord Flyte - having said there was a terrible threat of poor people breeding

then said - "nonsense, my words were taken out of context"

then after Cameron said - "I'm sure he will apologise"

issues a full and unreserved apology.

IT MEANS NOTHING IF YOU DON'T MEAN IT!!! SO WHAT'S THE COCKING POINT????

To preserve your current title and it's associated "benefits" - like say "Bishop" or "Lord"...

in that case I offer my unreserved apology!

[thebish]

[Zulus Thousand of em]

A Bishop shouldn't be called Pete anyway. Fundamentally wrong.

[Prufrock]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11833241

On the day the transport secretary talks about "an age of austere public spending" Cambo commissions a 'a happiness survey'

Said the same thing to my mither not 45 mins ago. In fairness I agree with what he says about needing to change the field of debate for politics from its current unhealthy obsession with wealth and economy, but a fecking 'happiness survey'. And folk whinge about giving Africans money for wells....

[Worthy4England]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11833241

On the day the transport secretary talks about "an age of austere public spending" Cambo commissions a 'a happiness survey'

Said the same thing to my mither not 45 mins ago. In fairness I agree with what he says about needing to change the field of debate for politics from its current unhealthy obsession with wealth and economy, but a fecking 'happiness survey'. And folk whinge about giving Africans money for wells....

Why would we change the debate for politics from wealth and economy? What's left that doesn't impact either or both?

[Prufrock]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11833241

On the day the transport secretary talks about "an age of austere public spending" Cambo commissions a 'a happiness survey'

Said the same thing to my mither not 45 mins ago. In fairness I agree with what he says about needing to change the field of debate for politics from its current unhealthy obsession with wealth and economy, but a fecking 'happiness survey'. And folk whinge about giving Africans money for wells....

Why would we change the debate for politics from wealth and economy? What's left that doesn't impact either or both?

I mean the obsession with the economy for the sake of the economy. They affect the bigger picture, massively, but they aren't the picture itself. Cameron is talking about concentrating on how that wealth and economic progress actually affects the people. Is nice flowery rhetoric of course, and difficult to define, but at least he's had the idea. The cnut.

[thebish]

A Bishop shouldn't be called Pete anyway. Fundamentally wrong.

errr... except the first Bishop from whom they are all spawned was St Pete....

[Zulus Thousand of em]

Just put the r on the end and you've got it, your reverend!

[Gravedigger]

But wasn't Peter's name Simon?

[thebish]

Just put the r on the end and you've got it, your reverend!

ok..

the Bishopr from whom they are all spawned was St Pete....

[TANGODANCER]

But wasn't Peter's name Simon?

Aye. Simon Balboa.

[CrazyHorse]

Look, could everyone stop bashing the Bishop please.

[2399]

Tommorows Match isn;t shown live in Australia

[Hoboh]

Dingbats in North Korea!!

[thebish]