Shed a Tier Congresses and Speech Archive

The Shed a Tier Congresses are explained here.

Each of the Congresses held to date is described below in turn, along with the speeches presented at each Congress (note: speeches for which scripts have not yet been provided will be forthcoming).

The 1st Shed a Tier Congress was held at Parliament House, Canberra, on Friday 22 June 2001, and attended by 13 people.  We received speeches from:

• Shed a Tier Lobby Group Chairman Max Bradley
• The Abolish States Collective's Dr David Bofinger (no written transcript available)
• ACT Assembly Democrats Candidate Anthony David
• Dr Klaas Woldring of the Progressive Labour Party
• Peter Consandine of the Abolish State Governments! (The Community Republicans) political party and the Regional Governments Now! lobby group 
• Griffith University Research Fellow A.J. Brown (no written transcript available)
• ACT Assembly Democrats Candidate Anthony David

The 2nd Shed a Tier Congress was held at Parliament House, Canberra, on Friday 21 September 2001, and attended by about 30 people. As set out in the Program , this 2nd Congress received speeches from:

• Shed a Tier Lobby Group Chairman Max Bradley
• ACT Chief Minister Gary Humphries
• Queensland Democrats Senator John Cherry
• Author Rodney Hall (no written transcript available)

The 3rd Shed a Tier Congress was held at Parliament House, Canberra, on Friday 22 March 2002, and attended by about 40 people. This was the first Congress held following the formation of the Beyond Federation network, and the First Congress centred on a theme.  Its full title was:

The Murray Darling Beyond Federation

How the Murray Darling Basin and the Australian Environment

generally have suffered under our present system of government,

and visions for environmentally sustainable government

As set out in the Program , this 3rd Congress received speeches from:

• Councillor Max Bradley, Berrigan Shire, Shed a Tier Lobby Group Chairman
• The Hon. Mr Kelvin Thomson MP, Federal Member for Wills (Vic, ALP, Opposition Environment Spokesperson)
• The Hon. Mr Christopher Pyne, MP, Federal Member for Sturt (SA, Liberal) 
• Ms Catherine Moore, Greens Candidate for Federal Seat of Riverina (NSW) at 2001 Federal Election
• Mr Tim Hughes, Farmer and Journalist
• Ms Vicky Dunne MLA, Liberal Member for Ginninderra (ACT), Shadow Minister for Planning & Environment   
• Mayor Lyn Gunter, Shire of Murrindindi, Chairperson of Planning and Environment and Member of the King Parrot and Yea Streamflow Management Committees
• Mr Gerard Gillespie, President of the Canberra and South East Environment Centre
• Lieutenant Colonel Charles Mollison (Rtd), Chairman of the Foundation for National Renewal

Australian Health Care Beyond Federation

How Australian Health Care has Suffered under our Present System of Government,

and Visions for a "Best Possible" Health Care System ; one that is

affordable, accessible, equitable and effective for all Australians

• Senator Meg Lees (SA, Democrats), Democrats spokesperson for portfolios including Health and Local Government
• Mr Brendan Smyth, Liberal Member for Brindabella (ACT), Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for portfolios including Health and Community Care
• Mr John August, Convenor of the Abolish the States Collective
• Mr Matt Smith, Liberal Member for Franklin (Tasmania), Deputy Leader of Opposition Business and Shadow Minister for portfolios including Health and Human Services and Youth Affairs
• The Hon. Dr Arthur Chesterfield-Evans, Democrats Member of the Legislative Council of NSW, Deputy Chair of Standing Committee responsible for portfolios including Health, Community Services, Ageing, Disability Services and Women

(Only John August's speech is presently available)

The 5th Shed a Tier Congress, was held at Parliament House, Canberra, on Friday 28 June 2002, and attended by about 30 people. Its full title was:

New States, No States or the Status Quo?

Visions for a System of Government that is Effective, Affordable, Accessible, Responsive and

Equitable for all Australians and all Communities a Century Beyond Federation

This 5th congress received speeches and debate presentations as follows :

Keynote Speeches

• Mr Jim Snow, Former ALP MP for Eden-Monaro and Co-Convenor of The Beyond Federation Network
• Mr Tony Windsor, Independent MP for New England

The Debate

• #1 Speaker: Mr Ian Johnston - Convenor of The New States Party
• #2 Speaker: Mr Peter Consandine National Executive Director of Abolish State Governments! (The Community Republicans)
• #3 Speaker: Mr Ian Johnston Convenor of The New States Party (in Bob Gould's absence)
• #4 Speaker: Mr Brendan Smyth, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Opposition in The ACT Assembly

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