ARMIDALE could become a political hub if a renewed push for a state of New England is successful.
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Health, education and resources control would all be decided by legislators in Armidale, with Tamworth remaining as New England’s commercial hub.
New England MP Barnaby Joyce reignited the debate for more federated states after the Coalition issued its Reform of the Federation white paper.
“I want to bring government closer to the people because I believe under the current state system, where major decisions affecting our region are made in Sydney, voters feel disenfranchised,” Mr Joyce said.
Behind his idea is the notion the state lines drawn in 1901 do not reflect the current demographic.
He cited the United States, which has incorporated five new states since 1901.
Secession movements have also begun in Queensland with similar demands to those articulated under the New England New State movement.
Mr Joyce said secession from the rest of NSW shoulds be done as cheaply as possible “other we will get bogged down in costly arguments as to why it can’t be done”.
New England’s New State movement gained force in the 1960s.
It led to two royal commissions and ultimately a referendum in 1967 in which 54 per cent of people voted against the idea.
The movement resurfaced 10 years ago, partly in response to the shire amalgamations proposed by the state government.
Then NSW Farmers Association president Malcolm Peters chaired a taskforce into the idea; a poll was commissioned and convention held, but the movements again appeared to lose traction.
Last month, the Coalition issued a white paper aimed at reforming the federation in a bid to limit the role of Canberra in matters of national interest.
Officers from Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s office will oversee the White Paper and a Green Paper is scheduled to be issued on the matter early next year.
Preparation of the paper will be overseen by senior officers in the prime minister’s department and state and territory first ministers’ departments as well as the Australian Local Government Association.
Armidale Dumaresq Mayor Laurie Bishop and Tamworth Regional Mayor Col Murray yesterday played down the idea of a separate state of New England and a new state capital.
Cr Bishop said: “It’s a hypothetical and I don’t have a personal view.
“The White Paper will give us the opportunity to air some of the issues, both positive and negative.
“I believe Barnaby Joyce wants to bring government closer to the people, but it’s way too premature to discuss whether Armidale or Tamworth should take the mantle as capital.”
Cr Murray agreed, describing the move as a “pie in the sky”.
“But if it did succeed, I would naturally lobby for Tamworth to be the natural capital because it is twice the size of Armidale,” he said.
