“Sunday, 27 August 2006, is the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of a great Australian innovation which has been copied around the world – the Australian secret ballot, or as it is often just called, the Australian Ballot,” said Professor David Flint.
“One hundred and fifty years ago today, the first elections in the world were held under the Australian ballot. These were for the Legislative Council, the upper house of the Victorian Parliament. Those for the Legislative Assembly followed in September and October.”
This event is to be celebrated as part of the annual National Conference of Australians for Constitutional Monarchy, in association with the HR Chapman Society, on 26 and 27 August, 2006 at City Tattersalls Club,
Pitt Street Sydney.
"The British granted the Australians colonies self government. The Australians demonstrated their remarkable ability to improve what they inherited. The conference will also discuss another institution which has been Australianised –our oldest. This has endured as an indispensable part of our constitutional system, one which is above politics – The Crown,” he said.