The political geography of a new state boundary: an appraisal of factors affecting North Queensland

Abstract

This thesis is concerned with the Political Geography of a New State boundary, and in particular, the proposed southern boundary of a Now State in Northern Queensland. An historical outline of North Queensland New State movements is provided, noting especially the problems encountered by early separatists, and early boundary recor:m1c11dations for a new northern state. In turn, discussion views present legal, constitutional, and administrative factors likely to affect the formation of a new northern state, and the boundary delimitation of that State. Current Political Party policies, together with the attitudes of present state and Federal Parliamentarians (representing electorates north of the Tropic of Capricorn) are discussed further, the study assesses the role of provincial newspapers in terms of community identification, as well as existing perceptions relating to the idea of a northern New State, as expressed by residents living in the proposed southern boundary area.