An Unprecedented National Accord: Western Australian cooperation with Queensland on northern development during the 1960s
Tracks
Auditorium
| Wednesday, August 28, 2024 |
| 10:30 AM - 10:50 AM |
Overview
Dr Patrick White, James Cook University
Speaker
Dr Patrick White
Adjunct Associate
James Cook University - Patrick White Historian and Heritage Consultant
An Unprecedented National Accord: Western Australian cooperation with Queensland on northern development during the 1960s
Abstract
This paper revisits an historic proposal by the state governments of Western Australia and Queensland to develop northern Australia. In 1963, the states urged the Commonwealth Government to prioritise northern development. They proposed the creation of a statutory authority with significant new powers and a dedicated budget. At the time, national interest in northern Australia was elevated by large minerals discoveries and anticipated growth in pastoralism and irrigated agriculture. The north also featured heavily in debates about national security and external affairs—festering conflicts in Southeast Asia had re-intensified concerns about the “empty north”. These themes parallel modern concerns about sovereignty, race, defence policy, the economy, and notions of untapped potential.
In 1963, the premiers of Western Australia and Queensland reached an historic agreement. They had developed a joint policy proposal intended to transform northern Australia. The states had been prompted by an assertive lobbying campaign led by local councils in north Queensland. Local councils argued that northern development was a national responsibility and that Australia had failed to seize the opportunities that lay waiting in the continental tropics. These arguments helped to convinced Western Australia and Queensland to legislate a fresh partnership between state and federal governments. Proponents of the federal northern development authority concept hoped it would strike an unprecedented national accord and finally deliver the impetus and resources required to transform the tropics. In many respects, the initiative reflected concerns that Australia had failed to sufficiently settle and exploit northern lands.
Sixty years later, there remain concerns that Australia underutilises northern regions. Revived attempts to develop the north often overlook history. This paper explores the rationale behind 1960s northern development initiatives and argues that current schemes should emphasise quality of life outcomes for northern residents, over measurements of national benefit and international engagement.
In 1963, the premiers of Western Australia and Queensland reached an historic agreement. They had developed a joint policy proposal intended to transform northern Australia. The states had been prompted by an assertive lobbying campaign led by local councils in north Queensland. Local councils argued that northern development was a national responsibility and that Australia had failed to seize the opportunities that lay waiting in the continental tropics. These arguments helped to convinced Western Australia and Queensland to legislate a fresh partnership between state and federal governments. Proponents of the federal northern development authority concept hoped it would strike an unprecedented national accord and finally deliver the impetus and resources required to transform the tropics. In many respects, the initiative reflected concerns that Australia had failed to sufficiently settle and exploit northern lands.
Sixty years later, there remain concerns that Australia underutilises northern regions. Revived attempts to develop the north often overlook history. This paper explores the rationale behind 1960s northern development initiatives and argues that current schemes should emphasise quality of life outcomes for northern residents, over measurements of national benefit and international engagement.
Biography
Patrick recently completed a PhD which studied the political history of northern development in Australia. The research demonstrated how local councils influenced federal policy and development in the Australian tropics between 1939 and 1969. He has published research on environmental, military, and political history. Patrick lives in Townsville and works across north Queensland in support of the ADF and derives professional experience from work in the construction, health, hospitality, defence, and tertiary sectors.
