About The North

A Virtual Bookshelf and Filing Cabinet

A Separate North

While the call for a new state in North Queensland goes up occasionally, there is no way it will ever happen. That provision in the Constitution cited in the sidebar rules it out as a practical possibility.

It might have been feasible in the Federation's early days. States only had six Senators. Adding a state would have meant a dozen new members in the House of Representatives. These days, the original states have twelve Senators. Thirty-six new federal parliamentarians? In your dreams, Sunshine.

Still, there's no doubt long-term residents of The North see a separate regional identity regardless of minor matters like state borders. While much of that identity has faded over recent years, geographic and climatic factors will continue to encourage the belief that things are different up this way. So what makes The North different?

Pomona Bridge across Palm Creek, Herbert River, near Ingham, ca. 1881 (State Library of Queensland)

The House of Representatives shall be composed of members directly chosen by the people of the Commonwealth, and the number of such members shall be, as nearly as practicable, twice the number of the senators. (Section 24 of the Australian Constitution.