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It is an expression of bureaucratic Existentialism. It exists without existing.


I am still winging my way to Canberra here, this time from Melbourne airport. As you can see, there was a bit of cloud.

Yes, in response to a question asked by Willits’ finest blogger, USelaine, Canberra is one of those artificially constructed artefacts of the decision-less decision made (not made?) years ago.

The title today is a comment on Canberra from Malcolm Muggeridge, a noted political commentator here from last century here in Australia.

The story of Canberra is far from interesting, fitting to the town. When the Australian colonies decided to federate, you can imagine the keen debate around which of our fair cities would be chosen as the national capital. As the city of Burnie (declared by the Queen herself, no less) was still in its formative years, the decision was made to bypass Tasmania altogether.

That left two candidates for the new national capital. At the time, bloated a gold rush and a superior code of football, Melbourne was Australia's largest – and wealthiest – city, and the standout candidate for the capital. However, dodgy pastoral interests in NSW (the largest colony) and (to a lesser extent) Queensland, favoured Sydney – which was older (and seedier) than Melbourne, and the only other sizeable city in Australia. The intensity of the Sydney-Melbourne rivalry was such that neither city would ever agree to the other one becoming capital.

This dispute, and the lack of Burnie as an option, a compromise was reached! Melbourne would be the capital on a temporary basis while a new capital would have to be built somewhere between Sydney and Melbourne. To sate the egos of the arrogant New South Welshmen, the Australian Constitution specified that the capital must be placed in a Commonwealth territory within New South Wales, but at least 100 miles from Sydney!

Committees are great things. I am not certain whether they served cake or not when agreement was reached.

Still to come: more of the THRILLING and SHOCKING truth behind Canberra!
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Comments

USelaine said…
I am riveted. Mash-ups of geography and history do the trick.
5 December 2008 at 14:28
Anonymous said…
It looks like you are being held up in the air by flaps of metal.

I am not able to visit sites like I did before the hospital but try to get onto one or two.
5 December 2008 at 19:50
Kris McCracken said…
USelaine, the idea of Hobart as Tasmania's capitial is a quirk of history. There is no way that you'd pick a capital and locate it right at the bottom of the island!

Abe, it's an interesting experience when you start thinking about it, flying in a big metal plane.

I hope that you're feeling a bit better.
8 December 2008 at 11:12
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