Difference between revisions of "Charter of Rights"
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It is believed that [[J.B. Humffray]] penned the [[Charter of Rights]]. The [[Ballarat Reform League]] Charter was presented at a meeting on 11 November 1854 in front of a crowd of about 10,000. The charter was adopted as the principles and objects of the [[Ballarat Reform League]]. It is the first document in the history of Australia to promote participatory democracy. | It is believed that [[J.B. Humffray]] penned the [[Charter of Rights]]. The [[Ballarat Reform League]] Charter was presented at a meeting on 11 November 1854 in front of a crowd of about 10,000. The charter was adopted as the principles and objects of the [[Ballarat Reform League]]. It is the first document in the history of Australia to promote participatory democracy. | ||
− | [[File:I04066-p0000-000001-0060-690-001.jpg|800px|thumb| | + | [[File:I04066-p0000-000001-0060-690-001.jpg|800px|thumb|right| "Meeting held at Bakery Hill in the presence of about 10,000 men on Saturday November 11th the following were adopted as the principles and objectives of the "Ballarat Reform League" (also known as the [[Ballarat Reform League Charter]]), p.1, 27 November 1854, PROV, VPRS4066/PO, Unit 1, A1<br/><br/>''At a Meeting held on Bakery Hill in the presence of about ten thousand men on Saturday November 11th, 1854 the following were adopted as the principles and objects of the “Ballarat Reform League”<br/> |
That it is the inalienable right of every citizen to have a voice in making the laws he is called upon to obey – that taxation without representation is tyranny.<br/> | That it is the inalienable right of every citizen to have a voice in making the laws he is called upon to obey – that taxation without representation is tyranny.<br/> | ||
That, being as the people have been hitherto, unrepresented in the Legislative Council of the Colony of Victoria, they have been tyrannised over, and it becomes their duty as well as interest to resist, and if necessary to remove the irresponsible power which so tyrannises over them.<br/> | That, being as the people have been hitherto, unrepresented in the Legislative Council of the Colony of Victoria, they have been tyrannised over, and it becomes their duty as well as interest to resist, and if necessary to remove the irresponsible power which so tyrannises over them.<br/> | ||
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− | [[File:I04066-p0000-000001-0060-690-001v.jpg|800px|thumb| | + | [[File:I04066-p0000-000001-0060-690-001v.jpg|800px|thumb|right|p.2, 27 November 1854, PROV, VPRS4066/PO, Unit 1, A1<br/><br/> |
''under the assumed authority of the Royal Prerogative the Reform League will endeavour to supersede such Royal Prerogative by asserting that of the People which is the most Royal of all Prerogatives, as the people are the only legitimate source of all political power.<br/> | ''under the assumed authority of the Royal Prerogative the Reform League will endeavour to supersede such Royal Prerogative by asserting that of the People which is the most Royal of all Prerogatives, as the people are the only legitimate source of all political power.<br/> | ||
Political changes contemplated by the Reform League : <br/>1. A full and fair representation <br/>2. Manhood suffrage <br/>3. No property qualification of Members for the Legislative Council. <br/>4. Payment of Members <br/>5. Short duration of Parliament<br/> | Political changes contemplated by the Reform League : <br/>1. A full and fair representation <br/>2. Manhood suffrage <br/>3. No property qualification of Members for the Legislative Council. <br/>4. Payment of Members <br/>5. Short duration of Parliament<br/> | ||
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− | [[File:I04066-p0000-000001-0060-690-002.jpg|800px|thumb| | + | [[File:I04066-p0000-000001-0060-690-002.jpg|800px|thumb|right|p.3, 27 November 1854, PROV, VPRS4066/PO, Unit 1, A1<br/><br/> |
''of Committees, for their unwarrantable assertions respecting the veracity of the Diggers and the respectability of the representatives of the public press on the gold fields, and their sneering contempt at an appeal for an investigation into the malpractices of the corrupt Camp at Ballarat.<br/> | ''of Committees, for their unwarrantable assertions respecting the veracity of the Diggers and the respectability of the representatives of the public press on the gold fields, and their sneering contempt at an appeal for an investigation into the malpractices of the corrupt Camp at Ballarat.<br/> | ||
That this meeting having heard read the draft Prospectus of the Ballarat Reform League approve of and adopt the same, and hereby pledge themselves to support the Committee in carrying out its principles and attaining its objects – which are the full political rights of the people.<br/> | That this meeting having heard read the draft Prospectus of the Ballarat Reform League approve of and adopt the same, and hereby pledge themselves to support the Committee in carrying out its principles and attaining its objects – which are the full political rights of the people.<br/> | ||
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− | [[File:I04066-p0000-000001-0060-690-002v.jpg|800px|thumb| | + | [[File:I04066-p0000-000001-0060-690-002v.jpg|800px|thumb|right| p.4, 27 November 1854, PROV, VPRS4066/PO, Unit 1, A1<br/><br/> |
''69''<br/> | ''69''<br/> | ||
''27 Nov. 1854 Resolutions passed at a Public Meeting on Bakery Hill Ballarat.'']] | ''27 Nov. 1854 Resolutions passed at a Public Meeting on Bakery Hill Ballarat.'']] |
Revision as of 19:23, 9 June 2017
It is believed that J.B. Humffray penned the Charter of Rights. The Ballarat Reform League Charter was presented at a meeting on 11 November 1854 in front of a crowd of about 10,000. The charter was adopted as the principles and objects of the Ballarat Reform League. It is the first document in the history of Australia to promote participatory democracy.