Ballarat Reform League Charter

Background

The Ballaarat Reform League Charter, 1854

The Charter's most ambitious and visionary goals were described as follows:

Political changes contemplated by the Reform League:

A full and fair representation. Manhood suffrage. No property qualification of members for the Legislative Council. Payment of members. Short duration of Parliament.

Transcript

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

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.

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.

That this Colony has hitherto been governed by paid Officials, upon the false assumption that law is greater than justice because, forsooth, it was made by them and their friends, and admirably suits their selfish ends and narrow minded views. It is the object of the “League” to place the power in the hands of responsible representatives of the people to frame wholesome laws and carry on an honest Government.

That it is not the wish of the “League” to effect an immediate separation of this Colony from the parent country, if equal laws and equal rights are dealt out to the whole free community. But that if Queen Victoria continues to act upon the ill advice of the dishonest ministers and insists upon indirectly dictating obnoxious laws for the Colony.

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Heritage Listings

Australian Memory of the World Program

The Australian Memory of the World Project believes the Charter of the Ballarat Reform League is impartant because it has instrumental historical significance for the events it records in goldrush Victoria, the Australian history of democratic Chartism which it incorporates, and the subsequent development of democratic representation in Victoria to which it contributed.

Also See

Ballarat Reform League

Other Sites

Australian Memory of the World Program - http://www.amw.org.au/content/ballarat-reform-league-charter-0

Culture Victoria - http://www.cv.vic.gov.au/stories/eureka-stories/10345/ballarat-reform-league-charter/