THE May 1967 referendum that gave equal rights to Aboriginal Australians is rightly seen as a major step along the road to full reconciliation. But the Aboriginal question was not the only question asked that day. Indeed, it was the second question.

The first was a constitutional change that would have given Parliament the power to increase the size of the House of Representatives, which was resoundingly voted down, despite the support the Liberals, the Country Party (as the Nationals were known at the time) and Labor had given it.

Nearly half a century on, that ‘‘no’’ vote may be about to make its presence felt in the Hunter Region, with a population-based redistribution looking like it might strip a seat from this part of the world to give it to Western Australia.

And it’s all to do with the ‘‘nexus’’ question of 1967, as it was called.

Section 24 of the Australian constitution says the number of members of the House of Representatives ‘‘shall be, as nearly as practical, twice the number of the senators’’.

As things stand, Australia has 76 senators: 12 from each of the six states and two each from the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.

Thanks to a population-based quota system used by the Australian Electoral Commission, the total number of MPs at the moment is 150, rather than 152, which a strict mathematical doubling would give.

Tasmania is guaranteed five MPs by the same constitutional section 24, even though its population at the moment means it should only have three.

When the electoral commission did its population-based sums last year, six of the eight states stayed the same but WA was granted an extra MP, and NSW was stripped of one.

The Sandgropers, who perennially whinge that the rest of the country is inclined to forget about them and ignore their enormous contribution to the national wealth, were understandably happy. An extra voice in Canberra!

But in NSW, it meant the major parties casting about for someone to throw overboard.

Mathematics is the main consideration.

As electoral commissioner Kevin Kitson said when inviting public submissions in April, the redistribution ‘‘must ensure the number of electors in each division meets strict numerical criteria’’.

But the redistribution must also consider ‘‘communities of interest, means of communications and travel, and the physical features and area of the proposed divisions’’.

Just as well, because if it was on numbers alone, we’d be shot ducks up here.

Next time someone tells you how strongly the Hunter is growing, I’d suggest you direct them towards the enrolment statistics. I know we love living here, but the figures show – as I have pointed out in previous columns – that the big population growth is all to the south of us. Our electorates have some the lowest enrolments in the state.

As a result, all of the major parties argue that Hunter Region political boundaries will change, and substantially.

The Liberal Party and the National Party both say get rid of Joel Fitzgibbon’s seat of Hunter. Labor has Bob Baldwin’s seat of Paterson in its sights. The Greens would move Hunter further east and push Paterson north into the electorate of Lyne, which would disappear.

All four of the submissions are more complicated than that, but you get the picture.

At present, the Hunter has five federal seats: Charlton, Hunter, Newcastle, Shortland and Paterson. If the government gets its way, the Hunter, with a population of about 650,000, will end up with four MPs.

Tasmania, meanwhile, will retain its five MPs with a population of just 515,000.

And on top of that, it has 12 senators!

Senators are statewide representatives, I know, but the closest I can find to a Newcastle senator would be Arthur Sinodinos, and he left home 35 or so years ago.

Looking at those numbers, I can’t help thinking that Tasmania is looking somewhat over-governed, while we in the Hunter are lacking political representation.

Then again, you could always argue the fewer pollies, the better.

Interest in the Hunter from the state budget is not high. Picture: Gavin MorrisWHAT a difference 12 months makes.

This time last year the state government earmarked more than $300 million for new projects in the Hunter, including $280 million to complete the Newcastle inner-city bypass in a pre-election budget it hoped would keep Hunter seats in Coalition hands.

But it wasn’t enough.

Labor gained three Hunter seats and retained four others in March and now, without a single Liberal MP and just one National Party MP in the seat of Upper Hunter, the region may be overlooked when Premier Mike Baird announces details of the state budget on Tuesday.

On the surface it appears like a monumental snub for a region that turned its back on the Liberal Party in the wake of revelations aired in the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

But Hunter Labor MPs remain hopeful that some funding will be committed to the region and say they will hold the government to its pre-election promises.

They want money for road and transport projects, including the final stage of the inner-city bypass, the M1 to Raymond Terrace connection; work on the bypass for Singleton and Muswellbrook; a detailed plan and costing for the Wickham interchange, light rail in Newcastle and the Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange at Glendale. But with the Hunter unlikely to get its fair share on Tuesday, how many of these projects will be shelved? And where will the money come from?

The government is yet to receive any funding from the $20billion plan to privatise poles and wires, but is flush with cash from stamp duty receipts, courtesy of Sydney’s property boom.

Mr Baird has firmly opposed calls to scrap stamp duty and instead has announced the government will use Tuesday’s budget to plunge $400million into taking pressure off the overheated property market.

The funds will go into a Housing Acceleration Fund, which covers wastewater, electricity and road projects on land designated for housing development.

The lease of the Newcastle port will fill the government’s coffers and pour hundreds of millions of dollars into the Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund, but Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said the Hunter should be seeing more from the sale of one of its greatest assets. He says it’s time Newcastle got what it deserves.

Indications are the government will fall short on Tuesday.

Last year, Mr Baird’s promise to dedicate significant funding for the ‘‘missing link’’ of the inner-city bypass so soon after the completion of the Jesmond to Sandgate section was seen as his government showing keen interest in the Hunter. If Tuesday’s budget comes and goes without any new major project funding then perhaps that will be a sign interest has waned.

THEY are polar opposites on the political spectrum but on Friday, former Prime Minister John Howard and local Catholic parish priest Fr Dermid McDermott sat down for a chat.

The ex PM was in town with a production company filming for a twopart ABC documentary based on his book, ‘The Menzies Era: The Years that Shaped Modern Australia.’

In a quiet back room of the presbytery, over a friendly cup of tea, Mr Howard interviewed Fr McDermott about his recollections of the famous Catholic school strike in July, 1962.

Fr McDermott’s father, Ernie, a dyed in the wool Labor man who stood at the 1965 state election, was Goulburn mayor at the time.

The council had ordered Our Lady of Mercy Preparatory School in Bourke St to replace an aged and inadequate toilet block. But without the funds, the Church, parents and the wider community waged a memorable campaign for State Aid to Catholic Schools.

Parents pulled their children out of local Catholic Schools and sent them to public ones for a week.

The debate, which gained national attention, shocked government into action It didn’t pay for the toilet block but in 1963, Prime Minister Robert Menzies ordered funding for all science labs in Catholic Schools and soon, funding flowed for Catholic and Independent schools.

“Most people agree it (the strike) was the beginning of change in government and community attitudes,” Mr Howard said.

“The year after, Menzies approved state aid so it was quite an important event.

“…I asked Fr McDermott his recollections because his father was very involved in the Labor Party. He remembers the time because he was at university then and we talked about the impact on the town and the Labor Party.”

Mr Howard described the exchange as “an interesting meeting of minds.”

He also interviewed Mary Queen of Apostles parish committee member and former St Joseph’s Primary School student, Trish Groves.

She recalled that day of upheaval in July, 1962 when students trotted across the road to Goulburn North Public School as part of the strike action.

Most memorable of all was a slap in the face she received from a North student who told her bluntly: “I don’t like Catholics.” “When you’re in fourth class, it’s difficult to have anything other than childlike memories,” she said.

“The outcome is something you reflect back on in a different light and that’s the essence of what they captured today.”

The former teacher noted that today, non-Catholics made up 40 per cent of enrolments in Catholic schools. There was no longer a divide and “that’s the way it should be.”

Mrs Groves has fought hard over the years to save that famous toilet block from demolition.

“It might be just eight little toilets but it shows that from little things, big things come,” she said.

“Over the years, billions have been pumped into Catholic and Independent Schools as a result. That block won’t be going anywhere.”

Mrs Groves said Mr Howard had a very calming effect during the interview and showed deep knowledge of the subject.

‘The Menzies Era’ was published by HarperCollins in 2014, following almost two years of research and writing.

Mr Howard, a lover of Australian history, said he was drawn to Menzies as the country’s longest serving Prime Minister.

“He was PM at time when Australia changed into the modern country it is now,” he said. “There was huge change between 1949 and the 1960s; home ownership exploded, people bought more cars, television was introduced and there were enormous development projects. “Menzies was remarkably successful. He won seven elections, three more than any other Prime Minister.”

Mr Howard also interviewed politicians, commentators and notables such as his old school friend, Clive James, and Barry Humphries.

The crew also filmed inside Sts Peter and Paul’s Cathedral and at a district property.

The State Aid debate is just one segment. The documentary, split across two one-hour episodes, will air on ABC television in February.

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I AGREE with John Donnelly (‘‘Choice of faith for everyone’’ Herald, 12/6) that special religious education (SRE) and ethics can peacefully co-exist, and indeed in our school, there is a positive, friendly relationship between teachers from both groups.

However, I don’t agree that what is happening at the state level between the Premier and SRE lobby groups is ethical, and I do not believe that his criticisms of Rosemarie Milsom’s earlier article (‘‘The ethics of education’’ Herald, 5/6) are justified.

Mr Donnelly states that ‘‘families are well informed’’ of their options, however, with ethics omitted from the enrolment form, this is not the case.

In 2014, there were eight children enrolled for my ethics class, however, in 2015, when ethics was added as an option on the form, 23 children enrolled for the same class.

These numbers were echoed statewide and I believe they are the reason that the SRE lobby groups are now pressuring the Premier to revert back to the previous enrolment form.

Without ethics listed on the enrolment form, parents and students are not being offered an informed choice – this is basic common sense and I cannot understand how this is even a topic for debate.

Kelly Kurtz,

Medowie

BALLARAT City Council could reverse its decision to restrict the speed limit in Ballarat’s CBD on Wednesday.

Councillor Amy Johnson has put forward a motion to rescind the decision to decrease the speed limit from 50km/h to40km/h in the area between Dawson and Humffray streets bounded by Mair and Dana streets.

The plan has been strongly opposed by a majority of the Ballarat community.

However, all councillors except for Amy Johnson and Vicki Coltman voted in favour of the speed reduction.

Speaking to The Courier last Wednesday, Cr Johnson said the speed limit would negatively impact traders.

If the changes are approved they will be trialed for 12 months before a review period.

A recent onlinesurvey undertaken by the council found that almost 70 per cent of the 569 respondents were opposed to a reduction in the speed limit.

Meanwhile, councillors Des Hudson and Belinda Coates have stood by the proposal.

Ballarat City Councillor Amy Johnson wants to keep the CBD speed limit.

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FROM July 1, the Abbott government will change the Home Care Assistance Package costs for elderly people who choose to stay in their own homes rather than enter a nursing home facility.

My parents, aged 89 and 83, have chosen this option of care. It is an option championed by consecutive Liberal and Labor governments as it significantly reduces the public cost in caring for the elderly.

Under this system, they receive housekeeping, meal preparation, shopping and medical transport services delivered by wonderful people whose service standards are a stratosphere above their hourly rate.

Under their current scheme, individuals are asked to contribute $54 per week, with the government topping up the remainder.

Under Abbott’s reinvention, my parents need to stump up $123 per week each to maintain the same level of care, a 57 per cent increase for the same service. On top of this staggering price rise, transport to medical appointments will now incur a fee of $47 per hour, plus 80¢ per kilometre.

So, in my opinion, Abbott and Hockey’s ‘‘nothing to see here, fair for all, have a go’’ budget has targeted those who can’t defend themselves.

I think old-aged pensioners trying to live out their lives with dignity in familiar surroundings have become public enemy No.1 in this budget cash grab.

Peter Arbuckle,

Aberdare

ALAN Playford is one of our region’s true heroes (‘‘Humble hero calls it quits after saving lives for 40 years’’ Herald 18/6).

Words fail to describe my appreciation for Alan’s service and sacrifice to the public of NSW.

I cannot imagine the horror and terror faced when working simultaneously as both an ambulance officer and a firefighter. One of these on its own would be harrowing enough.

Most people would surely go mad amid the mental anguish of fire storms, mangled bodies, and other rescues, not to mention the war atrocities. Indeed, Alan has seen the worst of nature and humanity.

Congratulations, Alan, on a life of selflessness. On behalf of Newcastle, I applaud your contribution to public safety. Enjoy retirement and a well-deserved rest, and keep wearing the Walt Disney T-shirts. The world needs more magic, fantasy and positive influence.

Stanley Pipe,

Awaba

JUST when you thought that federal politics could not sink any lower, out comes Mr Foot in Mouth Tony Abbott with the line that the opposition is rolling out the red carpet for terrorists to return to Australia.

The red carpet statement is just about the grubbiest piece of political spin I have ever heard and is well beyond the pale.

I think Mr Abbott is treating the Australian public as fools with his constant reference to the so-called terrorist threat, which I believe he is using purely as a vote winner. No one doubts that there is a threat but to exaggerate that threat is dog-whistle politics taken to a new level. The PM is now also apparently aiming to strip dual nationals of their Australian citizenship without the need to prove any case in a court of law.

The power to strip someone of their citizenship is far too important a matter to be held at the whim of a minister who can use it.

For goodness sake, Malcolm Turnbull or Julie Bishop, save us from this PM.

Mike Sargent,

Raymond Terrace

TREASURER Joe Hockey’s denial of the swollen imbalance of Sydney housing prices with affordability is, in my opinion, a sad reflection of his capacity to bond with the reality of middle-income earners, and potential earners (‘‘Build more, earn more’’ Herald 10/6).

Those already in desired suburbs aren’t scowling, with home residences excluded from asset assessment, though rising in value as applauded by the Prime Minister.

Joe can crow with, what I understand to be, a $360,000-plus salary, as well as perks, including a generous away from home accommodation allowance paid into his wife’s Canberra home unit, not to mention investment properties (Sydney Morning Herald, 10/6). A clouded perspective indeed.

With an oversupply of teacher graduates, not all dentistry graduates fully employed, medical students overwhelming the post-graduate training system and law firms reporting excessive applications for few law-clerk positions, the ‘‘get a good job that pays more money’’ Hockey advice has a hollow ring.

The ‘‘poor people don’t drive’’ mantra was an embarrassment, but I believe a lack of empathy towards low and middle-income earners continues as the government struggles to lighten the Treasurer’s gaffes.

Bob Allen,

Hawks Nest

Mossy youth thumps Hill Top Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

Moss Vale Youth Grade defeated Hill Top 4-0. Photo by Megan Drapalski

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