Are Australian voters ready to ditch the monarchy? They said No in 1999. Monarchists argue “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Republicans say “it’s time”.
and the end of her 70-year reign has renewed calls for Australia to become a republic.
And yet the three largest, industrialised countries that remain under the rule of the monarch – Australia, New Zealand and Canada – do not appear to be in any kind of hurry. Australia, like the United Kingdom, is a constitutional monarchy, which means we are a parliamentary democracy with an inherited head of state – a monarch – who performs a mainly symbolic role.
It would be a terrible idea to remove the head of state, as this would give massive and unaccountable power to the prime minister.“Firstly, because our constitutional structure is such that bills have to go to the executive council and signed into law by the governor general, and secondly if there was a constitutional crisis, there would be no one to resolve it,” Barns says.
The proposal back then was for a president to be appointed by two-thirds of the parliament – the plan was criticised as “the politicians’ republic” – as opposed to a direct-election model where Australians would vote for their preferred candidate. That model was criticised by some because of the potential for someone unsuitable being chosen for the role as well as the fear it could lead to government instability.
He also notes there is no reason why Australia would not remain part of the Commonwealth, given most of the former monarchies such as India and Pakistan, are still members. Even some countries, such as Mozambique and Rwanda that were never colonised by the British, have joined the Commonwealth.In order for a republic to become a reality in Australia, the constitution would have to be amended, something that can only be done by referendum.
This was based on a minimalist model devised in 1998 by former Victorian governor Richard McGarvie, making the governor-general the president of Australia and cutting legal ties to Britain. A constitutional council would appoint and dismiss the head of state, based on the advice of the prime minister.
“Getting someone like Julie Bishop to be a key part of the campaign is important and there are many conservative republics, Amanda Vanstone for example is very prominent, so it’s essential to have that cross-party support,” Barns adds.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Djokovic back on Australian soil ahead of Open campaignNine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic is back on Australian soil less than a year after his high-profile deportation
Read more »
United Cup to start new chapter of Australian tennis after trilogy of terrors | Courtney WalshOfficials are hoping for a positive summer that serves as a full stop to an absurd run of shocking luck for the Australian Open
Read more »
How did your neighbours vote in the 2022 Australian election?This year's election brought a new government to power in Australia for the first time in nine years. You know how you voted, but what about your neighbours? Type in your address to find out.
Read more »
Australian bowling injuries offer South Africa hope at MCGAustralia might have a depleted bowling attack for South Africa's second innings, boosting the tourists' hopes of a long-overdue batting fightback even as one of their own bowlers escapes injury after a freak accident with a camera.
Read more »
How an Australian crypto exchange became a tool for scammersMultiple scams relying on one now collapsed Australian exchange to funnel funds offshore illustrate the big issues facing the cryptocurrency industry.
Read more »
The business legends Australian CEOs most want to have lunch withYou can’t beat a great business lunch and Australia’s top CEOs would love nothing more than to break bread with the likes of Elon Musk, Bob Iger and Roslind Brewer.
Read more »