When you think of Australian history, judicial reviews might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, John Bigge, an English judge and royal commissioner, played an instrumental role in examining the state's workings down under in the early 19th century. Who was this influential figure? Moving from the comforts of England, Bigge was sent to New South Wales and Tasmania (then Van Diemen's Land) around 1819 to investigate the administration of these colonies. His work and its aftermath were pivotal in reshaping the way Australia, as a burgeoning colony, operated.
Born in 1780 in Northumberland, England, Bigge grew up in a time of British power and expansion. His career mirrored this era's complexities. Educated at Westminster School and later Christ Church, Oxford, Bigge’s career was launched with impressive scholarly roots. By the time he was tasked with the Australian commission, his reputation was well-established.
Bigge’s mission was both straightforward and complex. Ostensibly, he was to review the legal and civil conditions of the colonies and the efficacy of the convict system. His appointment followed a number of complaints and criticisms regarding the governance and operations in the territories. Britain sought to strengthen its control and reshape the penal settlement into a more orderly and profitable concern.
As Bigge traversed Australia, he quickly came to realize that maintaining the status quo was challenged by diverse interests. From the powerful landowners who aimed to benefit from cheap convict labor to settlers desiring land grants under conditions favorable to commercial agriculture, there was little consensus on how the colonies should be run. His reports, though admirable in thoroughness, arrived with their own controversies.
His findings, later compiled in a series of reports, notably advocated for a shift towards more rigorous discipline and effective management. Recognizing the burgeoning free society within the convict settlements, he was quick to recommend harsher policies, endearingly reflective of British sensibilities of law and order, which aimed to scale back the emancipist movement that was gathering steam.
Despite his intentions, Bigge's recommendations had profound impacts. Many historians argue that they stifled the nascent democratic spirit among the free settler population and entrenched class divisions. Bigge's suggestions curbed the movement towards liberalizing the colony’s administration and judicial independence, and instead reinforced the idea of a penal settlement under tight, centralized control.
His reports can be criticized for being shortsighted and focused on immediate imperial interests rather than the colony's long-term prosperity. Yet, understanding Bigge requires acknowledging the era's global context. The British Empire had extensive reach, and maintaining rigorous control was seen as crucial.
While Bigge's intent might have been to promote order, not all agreed with his methods or conclusions. Detractors claim he missed an opportunity to understand the evolving identity and potential of early Australian society. He is often critiqued for not adapting his viewpoints toward a future where Australia could grow beyond a colony of convicts.
However, judging Bigge only by his outcomes misses essential nuances of his time. Empires are inherently flawed and the cultural inclinations towards governing styles were quite different from today. At a time when Britain was balancing its interests across continents, Bigge's conservatism mirrors widespread conservative policies.
Despite the criticisms, some commend Bigge for spotlighting issues within the convict system. His documentation offers a window into early colonial life, shedding light on administrative practices and the conditions faced by convicts. Bigge's intimate recounting of his time in Australia granted historians invaluable perspectives on British colonial strategies.
As a liberal leaning Gen Z audience, looking back at Bigge, it's vital to grasp his place in the broader historical struggle between authority and liberalism. Yes, his policies seemed imposing, but they inadvertently laid important groundwork that would ultimately be challenged and reformed by subsequent generations who demanded greater social equity and governance autonomy.
Bigge himself might not have envisioned an Australia as it stands today—vibrant, diverse, and with a unique identity forged from both colonial and Indigenous roots. But his work, directly and indirectly, influenced the path to this identity. History shows us the importance of questioning authority while recognizing the context of decisions. John Bigge's legacy, complex as it is, offers lessons in governance, oversight, and the relentless pursuit of freedom.