Bulletin.

With the failure of the former Prime Minister’s efforts to usurp power, Governing Commissioner Hugh McFarlane has announced an end to the boycott of the upcoming general elections, thereby suspending New South Scotland’s secession plans.

The pause was officially announced via a public address delivered on 4 June 2025. During the address, McFarlane stated the republican tricolour would be permanently retained as a symbol of New South Scotland’s preparedness to secede in future, should the need arise. Indeed, it is clear the crisis has not only reinforced the integrity of Austenasia’s institutions , but the centrality of New South Scotland to Austenasia as well.

With the termination of the Crown Depdency’s secession plans, McFarlane has also directed the Constabulary‘s Territorial Defence Command to stand down. This mirrors the easing of tensions across Palasia, Caldari and Prahova.

A gubernatorial decree is expected to be passed in the near future to reflect the updated political situation.

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In a significant moment for the Crown Dependency, Governing Commissioner Hugh McFarlane has conducted the first Austenasian expedition to New South Scotland since March 2015. Dubbed the 'Decennial Expedition' in celebration of the 10-year milestone, the expedition involved an official inspection of the Crown Dependency. In a statement to this masthead, Governing Commissioner McFarlane confirmed he was 'pleased to find that fencing had been erected surrounding the entirety of the Crown Dependency to encourage lawn rejuvenation and surface levelling.

Despite this, I was able to step foot on the Crown Dependency, exercising Austenasia's sovereignty in the process'. 

Since its incorporation into Austenasia in 2013, New South Scotland has had an outsized impact on the Empire, being the site of a territorial dispute between Austenasia and the former Zealandia from 2014-15. McFarlane's 2015 expedition to the region, then conducted in a purely touristic capacity, is commonly understood to have ushered in a return of Austenasian control over the prestigious territory.

During the inspection, McFarlane issused two verbal edicts, together comprising the 'Clock Tower Proclamation'. Together, these statements confirmed that the Clock Tower (pictured above) is New South Scottish and Austenasian territory, in addition to annexing a new territory to New South Scotland, to be known as 'Expedition Park'.

In his verbal edict, McFarlane proclaimed the following to confirm the annexation of Expedition  Park into New South Scotland:

The territorial changes made during the inspection have since been formalised by the Gubernatorial Decree to Expand New South Scotland 2025, which included the below revised map of the Crown Dependency.

Bulletin.

With a final tally of two votes in favour, zero against and two non-votes, the Commission of Electoral Affairs is pleased to announce the successful passage of the 2024 referendum to amend the Constitution. This now raises the voting age and minimum age for election to the future Legislative Assembly from twelve to eighteen.

This announcement may also be found in the form of a gubernatorial decree and reflected in the latest version of the Crown Dependency's Constitution, available here. 

Separately, the Office of the Governing Commissioner wishes to congratulate Lord Andrew Creed on his election to Prime Minister of the Empire of Austenasia. New South Scotland looks forward to working with the Creed Administration as the Empire charts a path of reform. 

Bulletin.

As reported by the Times, Lord Creed has publicised the Government’s intention to reappoint Austenasian delegates to the GUM. As such, the Office of the Governing Commissioner hereby pauses its legal challenge.

The Office maintains that the dismissal of delegates in a manner which effectively removes Austenasia from the GUM, without passing legislation to that effect, is illegal.

However, it will no longer challenge that decision and will pause all activities on that front, pending the formal reappointment of Austenasia’s delegates.

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Tensions have flared in Wrythe Public House following the decision by Acting Prime Minister, Lord Andrew Creed, to dismiss all Austenasian delegates from the Grand Unified Micronational (GUM).  As reported by the Times, the dismissal came alongside allegations from the Acting Prime Minister of rampant "bullying and harassment" within the organisation.

Soon after announcing the delegate dismissal, the Austenasian Government was made aware of Chapter Two of the GUM Charter, which establishes grounds for expulsion from the GUM should a member have no delegates representing it for at least 14 days. The Gazette understands that at least one GUM member is already preparing to submit a motion to expel Austenasian on these grounds.

Reacting to this development, the Acting Prime Minister reiterated that the decision to dismiss Austenasia's delegates stood, and that the GUM had the intervening period to address his concerns. Lord Creed refused to produce evidence to support his allegations, stating it would be "inappropriate" to disclose complaints which had been raised with him privately. The Austenasian Government has a responsibility under the Charter to report such matters within GUM appropriately.

New South Scottish Governing Commissioner, Hugh McFarlane, took the opportunity to remind Public House attendees that an 'Austexit' from the GUM was an election promise of Lord Creed, and that the Government lacked an electoral mandate to create conditions for an Austenasian dismissal before the elections had actually taken place.

"I believe you [as Acting Prime Minister] have every right to use [bullying and harassment concerns] to campaign towards that outcome during the elections.

"... but it is my strong belief that such a decision is ultimately one for the Austenasian public."

Governing Commissioner McFarlane requested that Lord Creed rescind the dismissal, so that Austenasia would not be removed from the GUM before the public could vote on the matter. This request was again turned down by the Acting Prime Minister.

At an impasse, the Governing Commissioner has since approached Prince Regent Aggelos I to mediate the dispute. 

The Gazette understands Mr McFarlane will lodge the legal challenge in his capacity as an Austenasian Governing Commissioner. The crux of his argument is that the decision of an unelected Prime Minister (i.e. an acting Prime Minister) to effectively withdraw Austenasia from the GUM without passing legislation to that effect, is unconstitutional.

Although the Gazette was unable to find a formal record of ratification, the GUM Charter requries all members to ratify the Charter prior to joining, making GUM membership a matter of legislation.

The Office of the Governing Commissioner is understood to have proposed a standing session, where both sides have an opportunity to submit a single legal argument to the Prince Regent for consideration. The interpretation of the Prince Regent would then be enforced through a Imperial Decree, if necessary. This would override any decision made by the Acting Prime Minister after Parliament was dissolved to dismiss Austenasia's GUM delegates. 

At the time of publication, the Prince Regent has not reacted to the Office's proposal.

Any legal interpretation will need to be made before Austenasia is expelled by the GUM itself. The timeframe for any expulsion is understood to be up for debate. In a statement to the Gazette, the Office of the Governing Commissioner confirmed that it would challenge any moves to expel Austenasia prematurely through the GUM Supreme Court, if possible.

The Office also confirmed that the Governing Commissioner has had a longstanding relationship with the GUM, including its Chair.

Correction: A previous version of this article included reference to the appointment of a Special 'Counsellor of State'. This has since been corrected by the Office of the Governing Commisioner.

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The Office of the Governing Commissioner has sought to reassure citizens and outside observers alike in light of the proclamation of an imperial regency.

In a surprise to many, His Imperial and Majestic Highness Emperor Aggelos I of Imvrassia has been proclaimed prince regent on behalf of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, Jonathan I. The announcement comes following the overhaul of the imperial line of succession on 5 April 2024.

New South Scotland was annexed to Austenasia with the imperial ascension of Jonathan I in 2013. Then a New Wessaxian colony, New South Scotland's sovereignty was transferred as a gift to Jonathan I by the outgoing emperor. As such, any disruptions to the rule of Jonathan I are particularly sensitive within New South Scotland.

The Empire of Imvrassia has long maintained a foothold on the Australian continent, formerly counting the territory of Urabbaparcensia as an Imperial Hegemony. This masthead can confirm Urabbaparcensia's ties to Imvrassia were suspended in the days prior to the regency proclamation. Nonetheless, the historical presence of Austenasian and Imvrassian territories on the Australian continent creates the potential for political horsetrading.

A set of imperial decrees issued by Jonathan I also award New South Scotland special privileges within the Austenasian system, giving his legacy increased significance within the Crown Dependency.

Seeking to reassure the public via a statement to the Gazette, Governing Commissioner McFarlane confirmed his office received imperial guarantees that the regency would not affect New South Scotland's governance arrangements "at all". 

"I am pleased to confirm New South Scotland remains as secure within the Empire today as it was yesterday. I will continue my work to preserve our special place in the micronational order.

It is believed the Office of the Governing Commissioner received the imperial guarantees in the days leading up to the regency's public announcement.

The statement went on to clarify that "as always... all necessary steps will be taken to preseve the political and territorial integrity of New South Scotland, now and into the future."

To commermorate the occassion, the Office of the Governing Commissioner has  released a Gubernatorial Decree congratulating Aggelos I on his appointment. The decree also offers Jonathan I the Crown Dependency's "best wishes and continuing appreciation as he undertakes a deserved period of rest"​.