More can and should be done to promote and celebrate our Constitution Day, according to local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo.
Mr Piccolo said Constitution Day was effectively the day the Australian colonies were presented with Australia’s “birth certificate”.
“On 9 July 1900, Queen Victoria signed into law the Commonwealth of Australia Act (UK) and the Federation of Australia was created,” Mr Piccolo said.
“This act of the UK parliament gave effect to the Australian Constitution on 1 January 1901, uniting the Australian colonies.
“It is unfortunate that most Australians are not aware of the significance of the day nor the process or the journey the Australian colonies undertook to federate our continent into one nation.
“Previously each colony had its own defence force, customs control and different rail gauges.
“Federation brought us together, laying the foundation for modern Australia,” he said.
In an endeavour to increase the awareness of Constitution Day, Mr. Piccolo held a special seminar at Parliament House on Friday (July 7) for a group of year 11 legal studies students from Xavier College.
The students celebrated the day with a tour of the South Australian Parliament and talks from Associate Professor Hayden Manning, the Chief Justice of the South Australian Supreme Court, His Honour Chris Kourakis, and the Deputy Premier and Attorney-General, the Hon John Rau MP.
Mr Piccolo said that the three speakers provided the students with the opportunity to hear about the three arms of government, from people who actively participate in the different areas.
“The conversations I had with a few of the students over lunch really showed a deep desire for a greater understanding of our democratic system of government,” Mr Piccolo said.
“I see Constitution Day being a unifier of the Australian people, not just for those who were here at the turn of the century, but for all Australians, whether they came here 40,000 years ago, or more recently, and regardless of their country or origin,” he said.