For the second time I have been invited to address a function of the loyal Orange Lodge., once in Melbourne ,recently in Sydney. And each time, I have been attacked by Srephen Mayne, who edits and owns the electronic newsletter Crikey.com. As I told Alex Mitchell of the Sun Herald, ACM is non- partisan and non-sectarian. Both of our Executive Directors have been Catholics.
In researching my paper for the event, which was to be on the glorious Revolution of 1688 and its relevance to Australia, I was reminded that King William’s Blue Guards were Catholic and carried a papal banner into battle.
The Pope and William were allies and there were Catholics and Protestants on both sides of the Battle of the Boyne.
The Glorious Revolution was of paricular importance to us. For example , the independence of the judiciary, and thus the separation of powers in Britain-and therefore the US and Australia dates from the Act of Settlement of 1701. We tend to think of the Act of Settlement more because it cemented the Hanoverian succession- today I suspect that the clause guarenteeing the judges tenure is more important.
Before I close I must mention the Toowoomba Branch , which goes from strength to strength. John Brett has just sent me details of the marvellous schools competition they run each year. Congratulations to all!And on that point,once more,
Until next time.
David Flint
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