Secessionism in Western Australia

Secessionism has been a recurring feature of Western Australia's political landscape since shortly after Federation in 1901. The idea of self-governance or secession has often been discussed through local newspaper articles and editorials. On a number of occasions secession has been a serious political issue for the State, including in a successful but unimplemented 1933 state referendum.

Part of the appeal of an independent Western Australia derives from its geographical uniqueness: it is the world's second-largest administrative division by area, behind only the Sakha Republic in Russia; and Perth, WA's only large metropolitan area, is often referred to as the world's most isolated metropolis, situated more than 2000 kilometres away from the nearest large city (Adelaide in South Australia). Australia's largest deserts, including the Great Victoria Desert and the Great Sandy Desert, provide a natural barrier between Western Australia and the more populous eastern states of Australia. Although they are connected by the Eyre Highway, this includes a 1,200-kilometre stretch of road between Norseman, Western Australia and Ceduna, South Australia that is virtually uninhabited.

One recurring argument by proponents of secession is based on the assumption that a federal government in Canberra will favour the business and popular interests of the larger population centres lying to the east of this state. A common complaint is that Western Australia is a forgotten or Cinderella state, which contributes more to federal funds than it gets back, and is discriminated against by the more populous states. The Constitution of Australia, however, describes the union as "one indissoluble Federal Commonwealth" and makes no provision for states to secede. Western Australia is the only state not specifically listed in this preamble, as its final decision to join came too late for the constitution, already enacted by the UK Parliament, to be altered.