Supreme Court Judge David Ashton-Lewis provides social, news and political commentary. The Podcast is produced in the Studios of Radio 4CRB on the Gold Coast of Australia and broadcast live each Thursday at 10:05am EST.

Supreme Court Judge David Ashton-Lewis provides social, news and political commentary. The Podcast is produced in the Studios of Radio 4CRB on the Gold Coast of Australia and broadcast live each Thursday at 10:05am EST.

The Judge

Supreme Court Judge David Ashton Lewis, lends us a unique point of view on News Commentary, Historical aspects and Society and Culture. 

The Judge is live on air on 4CRB from the Gold Coast Australia, Thursday's each week at 10am to 10:30am EST. You can hear it live on 4CRB.com and Community Radio Plus App anywhere you have an internet connection, 89.3 FM and DAB+ on the Gold Coast. 

 

Supreme Court Judge David Ashton Lewis, lends us a unique point of view on News Commentary, Historical aspects and Society and Culture.&nbsp;
The Judge is live on air on 4CRB from the Gold Coast Australia, Thursday's each week at 10am to 10:30am EST. You can hear it live on 4CRB.com and Community Radio Plus App anywhere you have an internet connection, 89.3 FM and DAB+ on the Gold Coast.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Judge David Ashton Lewis, introduced as a Supreme Court Judge, returns to the Radio 4CRB studio for the second part of his conversation with host Colin on Australian federation. After looking at the history in earlier episodes, they turn to where we stand today. Is the system working, does it need a poke or a prod, or should it be scrapped altogether?

The Judge argues that Australia should keep its parliamentary democracy but never treat it as "set in stone". Along the way he talks about the dismissal of the Whitlam government, what politicians owe all Australians, and immigration and multiculturalism, where he shares some strong personal opinions. He also makes the case for federal control in national emergencies such as COVID and wartime, using Section 109 of the Constitution as an example. Colin adds thoughts on duplicated services and daylight saving.

It's a lively, plain-spoken chat for anyone who has wondered how the states and the Commonwealth fit together. Listeners may not agree with every view, but the Judge's challenge is a good one: learn where we came from first, then decide where we go next. The views expressed are those of the guest.

Guest(s): Judge David Ashton Lewis, Supreme Court Judge (as introduced in the recording). Host: Colin.

Topics:
[00:00] Welcome and recap of the federation series. Today's question is whether it is working, needs reform or should be scrapped.
[00:45] Why the Judge would never abandon the current system. He rejects rule by business, dictatorship and "Fabians" as alternatives.
[02:10] Democracy as something open to review, and the problem with one-party states.
[03:56] The 1975 dismissal of the Whitlam government. The Judge calls it a Governor-General using a reserve power, not a coup.
[06:01] Governments as "servants of all Australians", and criticism of politicians more concerned with keeping their seats.
[07:38] The Judge's views on immigration, postwar migration and his proposed orientation programs for new arrivals.
[11:04] A story about his sister, a school principal in Melbourne's outer west, and the experiences of Turkish parents.
[12:56] The Judge questions multiculturalism and ethnic enclaves, and relays his sister's recent London experience.
[13:44] Why he'd defend parliamentary democracy, and the Churchill line about the "worst form of government".
[15:34] How federation works in practice: the states and the Commonwealth, COVID responses and nuclear energy.
[16:54] Federal versus unitary government. The Judge argues for national control in emergencies, citing Curtin's wartime government and Section 109 of the Constitution.
[20:46] Being both a Queenslander and an Australian, COVID and war as times for national control, and daylight saving as a state matter.
[22:25] Duplicated services and possible savings from single police, ambulance, education and health systems.
[23:10] Why understanding history matters, with a reading suggestion on the federation debates.
[25:31] Wrap-up, a hint of a third episode, and how to contact the station.

Memorable quotes:
"I would certainly never support getting rid of it completely, because what's the alternative?" [00:45]
"Democracy is the worst form of government, other than all the other forms that have been tried." [14:41]
"Australia is too big to be governed from Canberra, telling people in Perth what to do." [16:54]
"In times like COVID or war, being a Queenslander is out the door. You're an Australian." [20:46]
"If you don't know where you've come from, you'll have little understanding of where you are." [23:10]

Mentioned in the interview (people, organisations, events, dates, websites, phone numbers):
Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser, and the 1975 dismissal of the Whitlam government (the Governor-General's reserve power)
Bob Hawke, quoted on governing for all Australians
Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party
Winston Churchill, on democracy
Edmund Burke, quoted (the Judge places this at Westminster in 1793)
John Curtin and the 1941–45 wartime government
Sir Edmund Barton and Alfred Deakin (transcribed as "Deacon"), suggested reading on the federation debates
Section 109 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia
Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest and Gina Rinehart (spellings to be checked), mentioned as examples of business leaders
Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, mentioned as examples of one-party or authoritarian rule
Hilton, a previous show co-host, and a show about 14 years ago
The COVID pandemic, the Queensland government's stance on nuclear energy, and daylight saving
Email: mail@4crb.com (spoken as "mail at 4crb.com")
Website: 4crb.com, where the earlier part of the conversation can be found
Nothing else specific (no phone numbers given)

Judge David Ashton Lewis, introduced as a Supreme Court Judge, returns to the Radio 4CRB studio for the second part of his conversation with host Colin on Australian federation. After looking at the history in earlier episodes, they turn to where we stand today. Is the system working, does it need a poke or a prod, or should it be scrapped altogether?
The Judge argues that Australia should keep its parliamentary democracy but never treat it as "set in stone". Along the way he talks about the dismissal of the Whitlam government, what politicians owe all Australians, and immigration and multiculturalism, where he shares some strong personal opinions. He also makes the case for federal control in national emergencies such as COVID and wartime, using Section 109 of the Constitution as an example. Colin adds thoughts on duplicated services and daylight saving.
It's a lively, plain-spoken chat for anyone who has wondered how the states and the Commonwealth fit together. Listeners may not agree with every view, but the Judge's challenge is a good one: learn where we came from first, then decide where we go next. The views expressed are those of the guest.
Guest(s): Judge David Ashton Lewis, Supreme Court Judge (as introduced in the recording). Host: Colin.
Topics:
<ul>
<li>[00:00] Welcome and recap of the federation series. Today's question is whether it is working, needs reform or should be scrapped.</li>
<li>[00:45] Why the Judge would never abandon the current system. He rejects rule by business, dictatorship and "Fabians" as alternatives.</li>
<li>[02:10] Democracy as something open to review, and the problem with one-party states.</li>
<li>[03:56] The 1975 dismissal of the Whitlam government. The Judge calls it a Governor-General using a reserve power, not a coup.</li>
<li>[06:01] Governments as "servants of all Australians", and criticism of politicians more concerned with keeping their seats.</li>
<li>[07:38] The Judge's views on immigration, postwar migration and his proposed orientation programs for new arrivals.</li>
<li>[11:04] A story about his sister, a school principal in Melbourne's outer west, and the experiences of Turkish parents.</li>
<li>[12:56] The Judge questions multiculturalism and ethnic enclaves, and relays his sister's recent London experience.</li>
<li>[13:44] Why he'd defend parliamentary democracy, and the Churchill line about the "worst form of government".</li>
<li>[15:34] How federation works in practice: the states and the Commonwealth, COVID responses and nuclear energy.</li>
<li>[16:54] Federal versus unitary government. The Judge argues for national control in emergencies, citing Curtin's wartime government and Section 109 of the Constitution.</li>
<li>[20:46] Being both a Queenslander and an Australian, COVID and war as times for national control, and daylight saving as a state matter.</li>
<li>[22:25] Duplicated services and possible savings from single police, ambulance, education and health systems.</li>
<li>[23:10] Why understanding history matters, with a reading suggestion on the federation debates.</li>
<li>[25:31] Wrap-up, a hint of a third episode, and how to contact the station.</li>
</ul>
Memorable quotes:
<ul>
<li>"I would certainly never support getting rid of it completely, because what's the alternative?" [00:45]</li>
<li>"Democracy is the worst form of government, other than all the other forms that have been tried." [14:41]</li>
<li>"Australia is too big to be governed from Canberra, telling people in Perth what to do." [16:54]</li>
<li>"In times like COVID or war, being a Queenslander is out the door. You're an Australian." [20:46]</li>
<li>"If you don't know where you've come from, you'll have little understanding of where you are." [23:10]</li>
</ul>
Mentioned in the interview (people, organisations, events, dates, websites, phone numbers):
<ul>
<li>Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser, and the 1975 dismissal of the Whitlam government (the Governor-General's reserve power)</li>
<li>Bob Hawke, quoted on governing for all Australians</li>
<li>Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party</li>
<li>Winston Churchill, on democracy</li>
<li>Edmund Burke, quoted (the Judge places this at Westminster in 1793)</li>
<li>John Curtin and the 1941–45 wartime government</li>
<li>Sir Edmund Barton and Alfred Deakin (transcribed as "Deacon"), suggested reading on the federation debates</li>
<li>Section 109 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia</li>
<li>Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest and Gina Rinehart (spellings to be checked), mentioned as examples of business leaders</li>
<li>Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, mentioned as examples of one-party or authoritarian rule</li>
<li>Hilton, a previous show co-host, and a show about 14 years ago</li>
<li>The COVID pandemic, the Queensland government's stance on nuclear energy, and daylight saving</li>
<li>Email: mail@4crb.com (spoken as "mail at 4crb.com")</li>
<li>Website: 4crb.com, where the earlier part of the conversation can be found</li>
<li>Nothing else specific (no phone numbers given)</li>
</ul>

Is Our Federation Set in Concrete? The Judge on Democracy, the States and the Future

Colin is joined once again by Supreme Court Judge David Ashton Lewis. This week they answer a question from a listener who asked what Federation means for Australia, how it came about and where we stand today. David says it is poorly taught, if it is taught at all, and he believes too few Australians really know it.

David starts with everyday examples, such as the states handling COVID rules and tobacco sales in different ways. He explains that we all have two identities, as a Queenslander or Tasmanian and as an Australian. He then takes a long walk through history, from early European explorers and Captain Cook to the separate colonies, their self-government in 1855 and the push for one nation between 1889 and 1900. Along the way he touches on the constitutional debates, which powers the states handed to the Commonwealth, and the calls today for a republic or even for scrapping the states.

It is a thoughtful, opinionated conversation. Listeners who enjoy a bit of Australian history, or who have wondered why the states and Canberra seem to be forever at odds, will find plenty to think about. Colin and David also invite listeners to send in topics and say whether they would like the discussion to continue next week.

Guest(s): Supreme Court Judge David Ashton Lewis. The host is Colin.

Topics:
[00:00] A listener asks about Federation. David says it is poorly taught and uses the COVID and tobacco-retail examples to show how the states act separately.
[02:21] Our two identities: being a Queenslander (or Tasmanian) and an Australian.
[03:37] How the colonies looked at the American, Canadian and British systems, and why Australia leaned towards the American model.
[03:37] Early European exploration as David tells it: a Portuguese voyage in 1523, then Dutch explorers including Dirk Hartog and Abel Tasman.
[09:30] Captain Cook's 1770 voyage up the east coast, followed by the First Fleet.
[11:40] How the colonies were created, from New South Wales to Tasmania, Queensland and Victoria, and why David calls them self-governing "little countries".
[13:17] Self-government in 1855, and a comparison with Germany coming together under Bismarck in 1871.
[14:58] The case for one nation, and the powers the colonies gave up to the Commonwealth, such as defence, foreign affairs, marriage and banking. David cites Victoria's Belt and Road deal as an example.
[17:38] The constitutional debates of the 1890s and the figures involved: Parkes, Barton and Deakin.
[19:26] Whether we should become a republic or do away with the states, the size of the country, and the duplication of services such as police, ambulance and hospitals.
[21:20] COVID border closures, David's call for regular review of the Constitution, and the Senate.
[22:15] Gold Coast growth and housing costs, then David's views on political ideologies and on immigration, cultural change and democracy.
[24:17] David's verdict that Federation has been a good thing, and a light-hearted chat about the hosts' own Victorian, Tasmanian and Queensland backgrounds.
[26:35] Colin and David ask listeners for topics and say whether they want the discussion to continue next week.

Memorable quotes:
"It is the basis of who and what we are." [00:00]
"You're a Tasmanian and you're an Australian." [02:21]
"Perth is closer to Jakarta than it is to Sydney." [19:26]
"There needs to be regular review of the Constitution to make sure that it is addressing the problems of 2026, not 1906." [21:20]
"A West Australian thinks of himself as an Australian in a different way than a Queenslander does." [24:17]

Mentioned in the interview (people, organisations, events, dates, websites, phone numbers):
Email for listener feedback: mail@4crbcom 
Listener question on Federation (email from a listener)
Population figures: about 27.5 million Australians, and a Tasmanian population given as roughly 500,000
Early explorers: a Portuguese voyage from Dili in 1523 (Cristóvão de Mendonça, spelling uncertain), Dirk Hartog (1606/1616), Abel Tasman (1642) and Captain James Cook (1770)
Places: Port Phillip Bay, Cooktown, Risdon (Tasmania), Batavia, Van Diemen's Land (renamed Tasmania)
Colony dates: 1823 (Van Diemen's Land as a separate colony), 1849 (Queensland, as stated), 1855 (self-government), 1889–1900 (Federation period)
Queensland Mounted Infantry and the Tasmanian Bushrangers
Otto von Bismarck and German unification in 1871
Federation figures: Henry Parkes (transcribed "Parks"), Edmund Barton and Alfred Deakin (transcribed "Deacon")
Daniel Andrews and Victoria's Belt and Road agreement with China
Annastacia Palaszczuk and Queensland's COVID border rules
The Communist Party case, early 1950s
COVID-19 and the state premiers' meetings
Marxism and Fabianism

Colin is joined once again by Supreme Court Judge David Ashton Lewis. This week they answer a question from a listener who asked what Federation means for Australia, how it came about and where we stand today. David says it is poorly taught, if it is taught at all, and he believes too few Australians really know it.
David starts with everyday examples, such as the states handling COVID rules and tobacco sales in different ways. He explains that we all have two identities, as a Queenslander or Tasmanian and as an Australian. He then takes a long walk through history, from early European explorers and Captain Cook to the separate colonies, their self-government in 1855 and the push for one nation between 1889 and 1900. Along the way he touches on the constitutional debates, which powers the states handed to the Commonwealth, and the calls today for a republic or even for scrapping the states.
It is a thoughtful, opinionated conversation. Listeners who enjoy a bit of Australian history, or who have wondered why the states and Canberra seem to be forever at odds, will find plenty to think about. Colin and David also invite listeners to send in topics and say whether they would like the discussion to continue next week.
Guest(s): Supreme Court Judge David Ashton Lewis. The host is Colin.
Topics:
<ul>
<li>[00:00] A listener asks about Federation. David says it is poorly taught and uses the COVID and tobacco-retail examples to show how the states act separately.</li>
<li>[02:21] Our two identities: being a Queenslander (or Tasmanian) and an Australian.</li>
<li>[03:37] How the colonies looked at the American, Canadian and British systems, and why Australia leaned towards the American model.</li>
<li>[03:37] Early European exploration as David tells it: a Portuguese voyage in 1523, then Dutch explorers including Dirk Hartog and Abel Tasman.</li>
<li>[09:30] Captain Cook's 1770 voyage up the east coast, followed by the First Fleet.</li>
<li>[11:40] How the colonies were created, from New South Wales to Tasmania, Queensland and Victoria, and why David calls them self-governing "little countries".</li>
<li>[13:17] Self-government in 1855, and a comparison with Germany coming together under Bismarck in 1871.</li>
<li>[14:58] The case for one nation, and the powers the colonies gave up to the Commonwealth, such as defence, foreign affairs, marriage and banking. David cites Victoria's Belt and Road deal as an example.</li>
<li>[17:38] The constitutional debates of the 1890s and the figures involved: Parkes, Barton and Deakin.</li>
<li>[19:26] Whether we should become a republic or do away with the states, the size of the country, and the duplication of services such as police, ambulance and hospitals.</li>
<li>[21:20] COVID border closures, David's call for regular review of the Constitution, and the Senate.</li>
<li>[22:15] Gold Coast growth and housing costs, then David's views on political ideologies and on immigration, cultural change and democracy.</li>
<li>[24:17] David's verdict that Federation has been a good thing, and a light-hearted chat about the hosts' own Victorian, Tasmanian and Queensland backgrounds.</li>
<li>[26:35] Colin and David ask listeners for topics and say whether they want the discussion to continue next week.</li>
</ul>
Memorable quotes:
<ul>
<li>"It is the basis of who and what we are." [00:00]</li>
<li>"You're a Tasmanian and you're an Australian." [02:21]</li>
<li>"Perth is closer to Jakarta than it is to Sydney." [19:26]</li>
<li>"There needs to be regular review of the Constitution to make sure that it is addressing the problems of 2026, not 1906." [21:20]</li>
<li>"A West Australian thinks of himself as an Australian in a different way than a Queenslander does." [24:17]</li>
</ul>
Mentioned in the interview (people, organisations, events, dates, websites, phone numbers):
<ul>
<li>Email for listener feedback: mail@4crbcom&nbsp;</li>
<li>Listener question on Federation (email from a listener)</li>
<li>Population figures: about 27.5 million Australians, and a Tasmanian population given as roughly 500,000</li>
<li>Early explorers: a Portuguese voyage from Dili in 1523 (Crist&oacute;v&atilde;o de Mendon&ccedil;a, spelling uncertain), Dirk Hartog (1606/1616), Abel Tasman (1642) and Captain James Cook (1770)</li>
<li>Places: Port Phillip Bay, Cooktown, Risdon (Tasmania), Batavia, Van Diemen's Land (renamed Tasmania)</li>
<li>Colony dates: 1823 (Van Diemen's Land as a separate colony), 1849 (Queensland, as stated), 1855 (self-government), 1889&ndash;1900 (Federation period)</li>
<li>Queensland Mounted Infantry and the Tasmanian Bushrangers</li>
<li>Otto von Bismarck and German unification in 1871</li>
<li>Federation figures: Henry Parkes (transcribed "Parks"), Edmund Barton and Alfred Deakin (transcribed "Deacon")</li>
<li>Daniel Andrews and Victoria's Belt and Road agreement with China</li>
<li>Annastacia Palaszczuk and Queensland's COVID border rules</li>
<li>The Communist Party case, early 1950s</li>
<li>COVID-19 and the state premiers' meetings</li>
<li>Marxism and Fabianism</li>
</ul>

The Judge

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