In 1933, voters in Western Australia voted overwhelmingly to withdraw from the Commonwealth of Australia with the goal of becoming a separate dominion within the British Empire. However, the British Parliament rejected their petition because it didn't have the support of the Australian federal government and the issue was not pursued further. But what if it had gone through? I don't know enough about British or Australian politics to speculate on how this would happen, but it seems plausible with all the talk about self-determination and all that. What would be the long-term impact of having two separate dominions on the Australian continent?
Independent Western Australia in 1933
- Thread starter Ziemniak
- Start date
I agree, much as it's a fun idea. Western Australia had a small population, and small GDP. It only had one major city and was too isolated from the rest of the world for Long Term survival.
Plus, assuming WWII goes ahead (which it probably will - I doubt butterflies from a separate Western Australia would reach so far into Europe), the threat of Japan would likely draw WA back into commonwealth for security purposes.
They could form a SITO type-organisation perhaps - South Indian Treaty Organisation - maybe even with South Africa as a partner.
That could create some butterflies down the line.