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. That would mean a dozen extra Senators for the new state (unless the original states accept a reduction in numbers) and another two dozen Members in the House. Thirty-six new federal parliamentarians? In your dreams, Sunshine.
Still, there's no doubt that long-term residents of The North see a distinct 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 [SLQ] copy](files/pomona-bridge-across-palm-creek002c-herbert-river002c-near-ingham002c-ca.-1881-005bslq005d-copy.jpg)
