DOCSLIB.ORG

Globalisation, the State and Regional Australia: a Case Study of the Shoalhaven Region

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Globalisation, the State and Regional Australia: a Case Study of the Shoalhaven Region University of Wollongong Research Online University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016 University of Wollongong Thesis Collections 2015 Globalisation, the State and regional Australia: a case study of the Shoalhaven region Amanda J. Walsh University of Wollongong Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.uow.edu.au/theses University of Wollongong Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorise you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. You are reminded of the following: This work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part of this work may be reproduced by any process, nor may any other exclusive right be exercised, without the permission of the author. Copyright owners are entitled to take legal action against persons who infringe their copyright. A reproduction of material that is protected by copyright may be a copyright infringement. A court may impose penalties and award damages in relation to offences and infringements relating to copyright material. Higher penalties may apply, and higher damages may be awarded, for offences and infringements involving the conversion of material into digital or electronic form. Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong. Recommended Citation Walsh, Amanda J., Globalisation, the State and regional Australia: a case study of the Shoalhaven region, Doctor of Philosophy thesis, Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts, University of Wollongong, 2015. https://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/4638 Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact the UOW Library: [email protected] GLOBALISATION, THE STATE AND REGIONAL AUSTRALIA: A CASE STUDY OF THE SHOALHAVEN REGION A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY from UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG by AMANDA J. WALSH, BA(Hons), Grad. Dip. School of Humanities and Social Inquiry 2015 CERTIFICATION I, Amanda J. Walsh, declare that this thesis, submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy, in the School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong, is wholly my own work unless otherwise referenced or acknowledged. The document has not been submitted for qualifications at any other academic institution. Amanda J. Walsh 30 March 2015 ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract vi Acknowledgements viii List of tables, figures and boxes ix Abbreviations x Introduction 1 1 Globalisation—why it matters 8 Overview 8 Theories of globalisation 8 Weiss: Economic globalisation and state capacity 11 Scholte: the state as creator (and redeemer?) of globalisation 15 Globalisation and neoliberalism 18 A composite picture of globalisation 21 Globalisation and capital 23 Social and spatial impacts of globalisation 29 Conclusion 31 2 The Australian experience of globalisation 33 Overview 33 Globalisation, the state and neoliberalism 34 Globalisation in Australia 39 The political economy of globalisation: the Hawke/Keating era 43 Globalisation, China and the Australian economy 52 Legacies of the Hawke/Keating reforms 55 The Howard approach to globalisation 60 Conclusion 66 3 Globalisation and Australian industry: manufacturing 68 Overview 68 Manufacturing in Australia 69 The change in Australian manufacturing 72 The political economy of industry policy 76 The rise of industry assistance 78 Australian manufacturing in a globalising world: China v. the rest 85 Automotive manufacturing: a study in orderly decline 88 Conclusion 96 4 Australian agriculture and the dairy industry 97 Overview 97 The state and agriculture in Australia 98 Protectionism and its discontents 101 Productivist agriculture and the rise of agribusiness 110 Globalisation and the Australian dairy industry 112 (Im)balances of power in the dairy supply chain 115 Conclusion 123 iii 5 Globalisation in regional Australia 125 Overview 125 What makes a region? 126 Inequality and regional Australia 128 The drivers of regional policy in Australia 131 Globalisation and regions: in theory 133 Globalisation: impacts in regional Australia 134 Regional policy in the globalisation era 138 Conclusion 150 6 The Shoalhaven region of New South Wales 152 Overview 152 A framework for analysis 152 About the Shoalhaven 155 The Shoalhaven economy 160 Manufacturing in the Shoalhaven 168 Agriculture in the Shoalhaven 170 The case studies: an introduction 170 Conclusion 171 7 Case study: the Shoalhaven dairy industry 173 Overview 173 Dairy industry deregulation: how geography matters 174 The effects of deregulation on dairy farmers 176 Dairy farming in the Shoalhaven region 178 Deregulation and dairy farms in the Shoalhaven 181 How significant is globalisation for Shoalhaven dairy farmers? 186 Milk processing in the Shoalhaven 193 Local resistance: the Berry Rural Co-operative Society 196 Conclusion 200 8 Case study: paper manufacturing in the Shoalhaven 202 Overview 202 Establishment of the mill: capital and state 202 Globalisation and the Australian paper industry 205 Globalisation and the Shoalhaven Paper Mill 211 Rationalisation at the mill 214 Community-level impacts of rationalisation 218 The fine line between survival and decline 221 The end of the Shoalhaven Paper Mill 225 Conclusion 228 9 Case study: Shoalhaven Starches and ethanol manufacturing 230 Overview 230 The Manildra Group 231 The pros and cons of ethanol 234 iv The business of ethanol 237 The political economy of ethanol 241 Public policy for ethanol 245 When does an infant industry grow up? 261 Conclusion 265 Conclusion 267 References 270 v ABSTRACT Globalisation is often presented, or perceived, as an unstoppable economic force that confounds the efforts and capacities of governments to act against it. In fact, the expansion of transnational capital and the growth of capital accumulation have been actively facilitated by the state. Neoliberalism has played a central role, as the policy orthodoxy of globalisation: it has been essential in creating the economic structures that support and extend globalisation. Far from riding roughshod over national policies, neoliberalism has provided states with the means to reshape national policies in globalisation’s image. Neoliberalism and globalisation have strengthened and consolidated one another, via the decisions and actions of the state. Since the mid-1980s, successive Australian governments have stripped away barriers and regulations that had previously been judged necessary for the management of industries, social outcomes and the national economy as a whole. The promise of neoliberal globalisation was of greater efficiency, capital accumulation and wealth for the nation and its people. In the interests of the efficient allocation of economic resources, the state has sought to tread lightly on the market. The reality is that neoliberal economic policies have created highly variable outcomes for Australians. If we are to understand global capital, neoliberalism and the state in meaningful ways, we must understand them as they operate in, and on, particular places and people. This thesis examines the impact of globalisation in the Shoalhaven region of New South Wales, a coastal locality with a strong history in agriculture and light industry. The role of the state in strengthening or mediating the forces of globalisation in regional Australia is highlighted in case studies: dairy farming; and manufacturing, represented by the Shoalhaven Paper Mill and Shoalhaven Starches. These industries and enterprises have been highly important, economically and socially, to the Shoalhaven region over several decades. The case studies reveal the nuances, fallacies and contradictions of neoliberal policymaking. The Shoalhaven dairy industry and the Shoalhaven Paper Mill have struggled to navigate through a liberalised, market-driven business environment. In contrast, the Shoalhaven Starches factory has thrived on huge levels of state support for vi its ethanol manufacturing operation. Neoliberalism is well and truly ascendant in the Australian state, but policy anomalies—in which the state intervenes unapologetically in the market—remind us of two things: the continuing importance of political imperatives in government decision-making; and the continuing capacity of the state to shape national and local economies. vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am very grateful to everyone in the Shoalhaven, and further afield, who contributed their time and expertise to this project, and especially to my interview subjects in the local dairy and manufacturing industries. I am indebted to my two supervisors, Dr Glenn Mitchell and Dr Anthony Ashbolt, for their wisdom, support and patience. I also thank my family and friends for their endless encouragement, and for providing many distractions over the years, allowing me to keep this project in perspective. This thesis had its genesis in simple wondering—about the town in which I grew up and the changes to its physical and industrial landscapes, which were obvious, yet difficult to grasp. In particular, I wondered what my grandfathers—one a local dairy farmer, the other a paper mill worker and union official—would have made of the decline of the industries in which they had worked and thrived.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • VOLUME 7 No. 7 July 2014 ISSN 1835-7628 DIARY July Saturday
    VOLUME 7 No. 7 July 2014 ISSN 1835-7628 FROM THE EDITOR ed. There is too, something from the event that must lift Australian pride - the faith, trust and peaceful enjoyment. Jim Boyce, our President, has spent some time in hospital Where else in the world does the first Minister attend a in the past week. We all wish him the very best and a public event where it was hard to identify the presence of speedy recovery. escort or security? As you will surely have noticed, Jim is a major contributor Warringah Australia Remembers, held under peerless blue to our newsletters and his absence creates a substantial sky, the Sun so bright the cheeks cried out for relief whilst gap. There is no President’s Report this month and there the body rejoiced in the near summer warming. We will not be a monthly meeting during July. would not have had it otherwise; idyllic for this annual outdoor event that the media and wider public let slip. Thank you to the authors of the various articles in this There are few opportunities to take the children of today issue - Keith Amos, George Champion, Shelagh Champion, to glimpse the world of long ago, when peace in our time Rose Cullen and Jim (I had two of his articles in the was the goal of our leaders. pipeline). I welcome all contributions - small or large - so please send them in. The service, held on Friday 30 May, commemorated Syd- As has been mentioned previously, there is a lot of work ney becoming a target for attack by enemy forces in a (and expense) in producing and mailing hard copies of the world that was yet to come to terms with the futility of Newsletter.
    [Show full text]
  • Health Reform in Australia and the Place of E-Health
    International Medical Community Health Reform in Australia and the Place of E-Health JMAJ 53(3): 193–198, 2010 Mukesh C. HAIKERWAL*1 Introduction: Health needs reform activity to be measured, clinical information to be electronically transferred and shared (with Health is of great importance for Australians. strict security, privacy, confidentiality and stan- Politically, health, the health system and funding dards—technical and ethical—applying). The use for it are major issues. Elections can be influenced of e-Health enables the reform process but also by health policy1: the 2010 Australian Federal supports the processes of health care improving election, not to mention the 3 State elections the patient journey, patient outcomes and health in Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria this professional effectiveness, efficiency and argu- year will see Health as a key policy area being ably satisfaction. considered by voters. The reasons for the need for health reform are The system of health care in Australia con- widely recognised across the globe. tinues to evolve. People in Australia see health as They relate to: an investment and as economic status improves, • growing demands for health care and services they pay for more health services. The election • greater expectations of consumers from these of a new Government in November 2007 in Aus- services tralia signaled reform to the Health Care system. • a need for consumer centred health care, self- The new Labor government has declared its care and health literacy intention to be a reforming administration which • research and medical advances that drive best intends to plan the health system of the future.
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 Shell in Australia Modern Slavery Statement
    DocuSign Envelope ID: D3E27182-0A3B-4D38-A884-F3C2C5F0C272 JOINT MODERN SLAVERY STATEMENT UNDER THE MODERN SLAVERY ACT 2018 (CTH) FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD 1 JANUARY 2020 TO 31 DECEMBER 2020 Shell Energy Holdings Australia Limited has prepared this modern slavery statement in consultation with each of the following reporting entities, and is published by the following reporting entities in compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) (No. 153, 2018) (“Modern Slavery Act”):- 1) Shell Energy Holdings Australia Limited (“SEHAL”); 2) QGC Upstream Investments Pty Ltd (“QGC Upstream”); 3) QGC Midstream Investments Pty Ltd (“QGC Midstream”); and 4) ERM Power Limited (“ERM Power”), (collectively “Shell”, “our” or “we”)i Note on ERM Power: At the time this statement’s publication, ERM Power Limited will have been re- named to Shell Energy Operations Pty Ltd. However, as this statement pertains to ERM Power Limited’s structure, operations and supply chain from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020, we have maintained the previous entity name of ERM Power Limited for this statement. In addition, as ERM Power’s integration into Shell is ongoing, we have noted throughout this statement where ERM Power’s approach or processes differ from that of Shell. Finally, at the time this statement’s publication, ERM Power’s policies, for which links are listed under the “ERM Power” sub-heading in “Our values, policies & approach to human rights”, will be decommissioned; however would be available upon request as ERM has adopted the equivalent Shell policies. Introduction Shell is opposed to all forms of modern slavery. Such exploitation is against Shell’s commitment to respect human rights as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labour Organization 1998 Declaration of the Fundamental Principles of Rights at Work.
    [Show full text]
  • Chillout an Oxford Cold Storage Publication
    Chillout An Oxford Cold Storage publication Issue 18 – December 2013 Message from Management In this issue : Paul Fleiszig Message from Management New Activities and skills Transport & Training reports Achievements Welcome to the 2013 Oxford newsletter. This year has been O H & S Hatched and Matched another successful year for the Oxford Logistics Group. We have all Years of Service, and more ! met many challenges and taken a number of opportunities. This newsletter will cover some of the commercial and personal highlights for our ‘Oxford family’ for the year. 2013 has seen Oxford grow again. We completed our 13B extension in October on budget and with minimal delay. The new store holds about 23,000 pallets in two rooms. The 13B complex is built using the latest energy saving & operating technology. The key new feature is the implementation of mobile racking. This is a first for Oxford. The implementation gave us many challenges, which our engineering & IT teams in conjunction with our builders Vaughan Construction and racking providers & contractors Dematic, Storax, Barpro & One Stop Shelving overcame brilliantly. More details regarding the mobile racking & the other new features built into our new store can be found within this newsletter. We commenced 2013 with storage at capacity. We struggled to handle the storage volumes our customers wanted us to hold for them. Our Store Management and Staff managed the ‘over capacity’ issues extremely well. We maintained high levels of service for all our customers in very difficult circumstances. It is a credit to the professionalism & dedication of all our staff. We ran most of our stores at near capacity for a large part of the year.
    [Show full text]
  • Record of Proceedings
    ISSN 1322-0330 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Hansard Home Page: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/hansard Email: [email protected] Phone (07) 3553 6344 FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTY-SIXTH PARLIAMENT Tuesday, 26 March 2019 Subject Page ASSENT TO BILLS ............................................................................................................................................................... 603 Tabled paper: Letter, dated 7 March 2019, from His Excellency the Governor to the Speaker advising of assent to certain bills on 7 March 2019. .......................................................................... 603 PRIVILEGE ........................................................................................................................................................................... 603 Comments by Minister for Police and Minister for Corrective Services, Clarification .................................. 603 SPEAKER’S STATEMENT ................................................................................................................................................... 604 New Zealand, Shootings ................................................................................................................................... 604 Tabled paper: Letter, dated 15 March 2019, from the Speaker, Hon. Curtis Pitt, to the Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Trevor Mallard, expressing the sorrow of the members of the Queensland parliament regarding the events in Christchurch
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Trade and Investment Commission Annual Report 2018–19 Australian Trade and Investment Commission Annual Report 2018–19
    ANNUAL REPORT 2018–19 Austrade at a glance WHO ARE WE? OUR STAFF We are the Australian Trade and Investment Commission—or Austrade Austrade—and we’re responsible for promoting Australian trade, staff at investment and education to the world. We help Australian 1,073 30 June 2019, businesses grow by linking them to global export opportunities; 65 per cent of whom were we attract international investment to help Australia reach its employed in client-focused economic potential; we help startups innovate and go global and operations in Australia and we promote Australia’s leading-edge education services to the overseas. Staff turnover was world to help drive growth in this sector. Our tourism policy and 11.9 per cent and the gender programs also help to build a thriving tourism industry. balance was 58 per cent female and 42 per cent male. We also help Australian citizens by providing consular and passport services in designated overseas locations. WHERE WE WORK locations at OUR MISSION 117 30 June 2019, Our mission is to promote Australian exports and international including 79 overseas locations education, strengthen Australia’s tourism sector, and attract in 48 markets, with 14 of investment into Australia. We do this by providing quality advice those locations also providing and services to exporters, education institutions and investors, consular services on behalf including generating market information and insights, promoting of the Australian Government. Australian capabilities, making connections through an extensive Within Australia, Austrade had global network of contacts, leveraging the ‘badge of government’ 10 offices, complemented by a offshore, and working collaboratively with partner organisations.
    [Show full text]
  • Inquiry Into the Price of Unleaded Petrol
    SHELL AUSTRALIA’S SUBMISSION TO THE AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER (ACCC) INQUIRY INTO THE PRICE OF UNLEADED PETROL CONTENTS Introduction ............................................................................................................................2 Refining and importing..........................................................................................................2 Wholesale and distribution....................................................................................................4 Retail........................................................................................................................................6 Shell submission to ACCC Petrol Price Inquiry, July 2007 Page 1 Introduction This submission addresses issues relevant to Shell under the broad subjects, “Refining and importing”, “Wholesale and distribution” and “Retail”, which are set out in the Issues Paper published by the ACCC in June 2007. However, as Shell is essentially no longer a retailer, the submission makes limited comment on the retail market. As an overarching comment, Shell believes that the Australian market for unleaded petrol is highly competitive as evidenced by: • the fact that Australian fuel, both pre and post tax, is amongst the cheapest in the OECD countries; • Shell’s profits before interest and tax in 2006 equate to 2.3 cents per litre of fuel and over the last five years have averaged around 1.8 cpl or 1.5% on a litre of petrol); and • Shell’s investment of over $1 billion in the Downstream business
    [Show full text]
  • THE COMMISSION’ © Commonwealth of Australia 2003 ISBN 1 74037 139 9 This Work Is Subject to Copyright
    FROM INDUSTRY ASSISTANCE TO PRODUCTIVITY: 30 YEARS OF ‘THE COMMISSION’ © Commonwealth of Australia 2003 ISBN 1 74037 139 9 This work is subject to copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, the work may be reproduced in whole or in part for study or training purposes, subject to the inclusion of an acknowledg- ment of the source. Reproduction for commercial use or sale requires prior written permission from the Department of Communications, IT and the Arts. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Commonwealth Copyright Administration, Intellectual Property Branch, Department of Communications, IT and the Arts, GPO Box 2154, Canberra ACT 2601. This publication is available in hard copy or PDF format from the Productivity Commission website at www.pc.gov.au. If you require part or all of this publica- tion in a different format, please contact Media and Publications (see below). Publications Inquiries: Media and Publications Productivity Commission Locked Bag 2 Collins Street East Melbourne VIC 8003 Tel: (03) 9653 2244 Fax: (03) 9653 2303 Email: [email protected] General Inquiries: Tel: (03) 9653 2100 or (02) 6240 3200 An appropriate citation for this paper is: Productivity Commission 2003, From industry assistance to productivity: 30 years of ‘the Commission’, Productivity Commission, Canberra. Cover Design: Imagine Graphics Bert Kelly: Photo by Jennie Niccol courtesy The Centre for Independent Studies. Alf Rattigan: Photo courtesy of the Rattigan family. Foreword It is 30 years since the Industries Assistance Commission, the first predecessor of the Productivity Commission, was created by Act of Parliament.
    [Show full text]
  • 18 March 2020 the Manager Market Announcements Office Australian Securities Exchange Electronic Lodgment 2019 Annual Report
    18 March 2020 The Manager Market Announcements Office Australian Securities Exchange Electronic lodgment 2019 Annual Report The attached document has been authorised for release by the Board of Viva Energy Group Limited. Julia Kagan Company Secretary Annual Report 2019 Our purpose Helping people reach their destination Viva Energy Group Limited ABN 74 626 661 032 Who we are Viva Energy is one of Australia’s leading energy companies with more than 110 years of operations in Australia. We refine, store and market specialty petroleum products across the country and we are the sole supplier of Shell fuels and lubricants in Australia. In 2019, we supplied approximately a quarter of Australia’s liquid fuel requirements to a national network of retail sites and directly to our commercial customers. We also operate a nationwide fuel supply chain, including the strategically located Geelong Refinery, an extensive import, storage and distribution infrastructure network, including a presence at over 50 airports and airfields. Our values Integrity The right thing always Responsibility Safety, environment, our communities Curiosity Be open, learn, shape our future Commitment Accountable and results focused Respect Inclusiveness, diversity, people We are proud to present our inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2019–2021. See page 49 for details. 01 Viva Energy Group Limited Annual Report 2019 Contents About us 04 Financial report 79 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer’s report 06 Consolidated financial statements 80 Board of Directors 08 Notes to the consolidated financial statements 85 Executive Leadership Team 10 Directors’ declaration 135 Operating and financial review 13 Independent auditor’s report 136 Sustainability 32 Disclosures 143 Remuneration report 56 Additional information 146 Directors’ report 73 Corporate directory 149 Auditor’s independence declaration 78 About this Annual Report This Annual Report contains information on the operations, activities and entities.
    [Show full text]
  • Are the Current Account Imbalances on a Sustainable Path?
    Journal of Risk and Financial Management Article Are the Current Account Imbalances on a Sustainable Path? Seema Narayan * and Sivagowry Sriananthakumar School of Economics, Finance and Marketing, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 13 August 2020; Accepted: 3 September 2020; Published: 4 September 2020 Abstract: This paper examines the current accounts of 16 developed and developing countries over the period 1970 to 2018. We test whether these nations satisfy their intertemporal solvency condition for external imbalances. The solvency condition in the strong form entails: (1) a cointegration, or a long run equilibrium, relationship between exports and imports of goods and services; and (2) an increase in imports leading to a proportional increase in exports. Our findings imply that the external imbalances are a cause of vulnerability for several nations. Bangladesh satisfies the abovementioned solvency condition—in other words, its current account is sustainable in the strong form. Australia, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, New Zealand, and Venezuela show weak forms of sustainability. For these six nations, the presence of a cointegration relationship between exports and imports coincides with less than proportional increases in exports with increases in imports. The current accounts of Chile and Paraguay are unsustainable—while their exports and imports are cointegrated, a growth in imports leads to a more than proportional increase in exports. For a few nations that failed the full sample (1970–2018) cointegration test, we developed sub-samples by anchoring the start date at 1970 and increasing the sample by every five years from 1999 to 2014.
    [Show full text]
  • DIAA Victorian Dairy Product Competition
    Dairy Industry Association of Australia DIAA Victorian Dairy Product Competition 2017 Results DUCT C ODUCT C RO ROM OM P P P P Y Y E E R T IR I T I I A A T T D D I I O O N N N N A A 2 2 I I 0 0 R R 1 1 O O 7 7 T T C C I I V V R E L D V GO SIL RESULTS – 2017 Results Booklet 2017 DIAA Victorian Dairy Product Competition n n Butter ................................................................................. 4 n n Cheese ............................................................................... 5 n n Dips ...................................................................................11 n n Powder .............................................................................11 n n Yoghurt ............................................................................12 n n Milk ...................................................................................15 n n Cream ...............................................................................18 n n Dairy desserts ................................................................19 n n Innovation ......................................................................19 n n Ice-cream, gelati, frozen yoghurt ...........................19 n n Non-bovine product ...................................................23 n n Organic products .........................................................24 n n Other ................................................................................24 The DIAA thanks its National Partners DIAA VICTORIAN DAIRY PRODUCT COMPETITION INDUSTRY-SPONSORED
    [Show full text]
  • 2558 the Fire Within: John Button and an Optimistic Spirit of Reform In
    2558 THE FIRE WITHIN: JOHN BUTTON AND AN OPTIMISTIC SPIRIT OF REFORM IN AUSTRALIA Melbourne Writers‟ Festival John Button Oration 2011 Melbourne, Victoria 27 August 2011 The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG MELBOURNE WRITERS’ FESTIVAL JOHN BUTTON ORATION 2011 MELBOURNE, VICTORIA 27 AUGUST 2011 THE FIRE WITHIN: JOHN BUTTON AND AN OPTIMISTIC SPIRIT OF REFORM IN AUSTRALIA The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG Jacques Beaumont and Richard Townsend, photos Sara Krulwich, New York Times REMEMBERING JOHN BUTTON I cannot abide memorial lecturers who are so obsessed with their own message that they forget the person whose name inspires a memorial lecture. Death and its shadows are so long lasting and quickly embracing that we do not need to hasten the process. And John Button One-time Justice of the High Court of Australia (1996-2009). Inaugural Chairman of the Australian Law Reform Commission (1975-1984). President of the International Commission of Jurists (1995-8). Member of the Eminent Persons Group on the Future of the Commonwealth of Nations (2010-11). 1 is one of those characters, who walked the stage of Australian politics and public life for a time and who is not so easily forgotten. The basic facts of his life are well remembered. He was born in Ballarat in 1933. He qualified in law and became an accomplished advocate, mainly in industrial relations cases. He joined the Australian Labor Party in the late 1950s when things were looking grim because of “the Great Split” over communism and the influence of church-led anti-communism (especially in Victoria). With John Cain, Barry Jones, Frank Costigan and others, he established the independent group of social democrats known as “the Participants”.
    [Show full text]