The Canberra Model Revisited

Abstract

In 19731 published a collection of essays. The Canberra Model. It was the product of two six-month visits to the Australian capital in 1967 and 1972, looking at the political scene. Its central theme was that the Australian way of government was fascinating in itself, as well as being important as a major variant of the British system; if the Canberra model was the child of London, the father should appreciate that he had much to learn from the son. However, at that time the study of Australian government seemed to be grossly neglected, by Australians as much as by outsiders. The Canberra Model was written to set down some points about the obvious questions which occurred to a visitor, familiar with Westminster ways, as he observed the Australian scene and found that the limited amount of writing then available left him unenlightened.