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Hansard 11-3-1891 Constitution convention Debates (Official Record of the Debates of the National
Australasian Convention)
QUOTE Mr. GILLIES:
Surely we are not to be told that, because that is in contemplation, there is at the same time some secret
purpose or object of depriving the people of their right on any particular occasion when possibly there
may be some great difference of opinion on a great public question. There have been no peoples in these
colonies who have not enjoyed the most perfect freedom to express their opinions in public, and through their
representatives in parliament, on any public question of importance. There has never been any occasion when
such an opportunity has not been given to every man in this country, and so free and liberal are our laws and
public institutions that it has never been suggested by any mortal upon this continent that that right should be
in any way restricted. On the contrary, we all feel proud of the freedom which every one in this country
enjoys. It is a freedom not surpassed in any state in the world, not even in the boasted republic of
America.
END QUOTE
The Framers of the Constitution were at the time well aware of the amendments to the US
constitution such as FREEDOM OF SPEECH, the right to bear arms, religious liberty, etc, as
after all s116 was to emulate the rights provided for in the US (USA) constitution. As such, our
constitution has embedded this overarching freedoms/liberties. It is not subject to what political
parties or for any turncoat may determine they desire but it is embedded in the constitution.
Hansard 6-3-1891 Constitution convention Debates (Official Record of the Debates of the National
Australasian Convention)
QUOTE Mr. BARTON:
I hope that I am at any rate acting in the spirit in which we all labour together, and that the result of our
labour will be to found a state of high and august aims, working by the eternal principles of justice and not to
the music of bullets, and affording an example of freedom, political morality, and just action to the
individual, the state and the nation which will one day be the envy of the world.
END QUOTE
Hansard 9-3-1891 Constitution convention Debates (Official Record of the Debates of the National
Australasian Convention)
QUOTE Sir GEORGE GREY:
These must seem almost too daring speculations; but, in point of fact, we are marching on to an
altogether new epoch, to new times, and the very essence of the constitution must be this: I heard one
hon. gentleman here state that we must remember that we are legislating for the future; and I agree
with him if he meant that we are legislating in such a manner as to enable the future to legislate for
itself-that it is our object that freedom in every respect shall be given, so that as each generation
comes on they shall say, "Blessed be those ancestors of ours who have left us this freedom, so that
nothing can take place-no changes in the state of the world-but we possess all powers to define the
measures most necessary to bring peace and tranquillity at every epoch it comes on." That is the real
duty which we should aim to fulfil; and it is only by allowing the people to speak, and at all times to
declare [start page 140] their views and their wishes, and to have them carefully considered, that we
can insure peace, tranquillity, and prosperity to each country in each successive epoch of time as it
arrives.
END QUOTE