What’s the issue?
Right now, Australia has a system of government called a constitutional monarchy. This means that the Queen is technically the head of state, but we have our own constitution which limits her power to a minimal and ceremonial role. Within Australia, the Queen is represented by the governor general, who is appointed by the prime minister.
Those in favour of a Republican system of government want to see an Australian president as the official head of state. In other words, a president would replace the governor general and we would be rid of the Queen altogether. The Republican debate asks the question: do we need to change our system of government to properly reflect our independence as a nation?
With the former head of the Australian Republican Movement, Malcolm Turnbull, recently selected as the head of the Federal Opposition Party – it might be time to brush up on the debate that could change the face of Australia.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it: arguments against an Australian republic
Monarchists (from the word monarchy) believe that our system of government is working well and should remain exactly the same. They think that becoming a republic is one of the worst things we could do to Australia for the following reasons:
- Electing or appointing an Australian as head of state, instead of appointing a governor-general, does not change the role. Giving power to a president instead of a governor-general has no proven benefits for the lives of average Australians.
- Our relationship with England is an important part of Australia’s heritage and we should not cut all ties with our history. Many Australians still feel that Britain is part of their identity.
- Becoming a republic will be a waste of Australian tax payer money. We will need to change our currency and stationary, hold a referendum etc. This does not justify the end result, which will be a similar form of government. On top of that, there are other issues which are in more urgent need of funding and debate.
- Australia’s current system of government combines all the advantages of a constitutional monarchy with a full measure of independence and democratic freedom.
To read more about the arguments against an Australian republic visit the Australians for a
Constitution Monarchy (ACM) website.
It’s time for a change: arguments for an Australian republic
Republicans want to change our government because:
- In the past, Australians may have felt united under a British monarch. But today, Australia is a culturally diverse country which embraces its Indigenous heritage and welcomes immigrants from around the world. The Queen of England no longer represents the average Australian.
- There are many benefits to business and the economy. International trade is becoming increasingly competitive and the way Australia positions itself as a nation is important. When the Queen travels overseas she promotes British companies and British trade, not Australian interests.
- The head of state should be a position that is awarded based on merit, not on birthright. Every Australian child should be able to dream of attaining the highest office in their country.
- The monarchy is not an appropriate symbol for an egalitarian and independent nation. The next natural step in the evolution of Australia’s democracy is to become a republic.
To read more about the arguments in favour of becoming an Australian republic visit the
Australian Republican Movement’s (ARM) website.
Republic Mythbusters
- Yes, we will still be part of the Commonwealth and compete in the Commonwealth Games
- No, we don’t have to change our flag
- Yes, we will eventually have to change all the coins with the Queen’s face on them
- No, our president will not be like the one in America – the prime-minister will still be the main political leader of Australia
Eeenie, meenie minie mo: how would we choose a president?
Many people argue that the main reason that we have not been able to vote ‘yes’ to a republic, is because those in favour have very different views on what
kind of republic Australia should have. There are lots of different options for choosing a head of state, and each method has pros and cons.
There are six main models and these are listed on the
Australian Republican Movement website. At one extreme we could have the prime minister choose and appoint the president. On the other end of the spectrum there is the proposal that all Australians should vote for the president (even though it is not supposed to be a political position).
The 1999 referendum
On 6 November 1999 a referendum was held to see if Australian citizens wanted Australia to become a republic. A referendum is a special election to see if the country wants to change something in the constitution. For a referendum to be successful, both a majority of people and a majority of states have to say ‘yes’.
This referendum asked the country to decide whether they wanted a republic where the president was elected by a two thirds majority in parliament. 46% of Australian voters voted ‘yes’, while 54% voted ’no’ – which meant that the changes did not pass.
Many republicans, including Malcolm Turnbull, blamed John Howard for the failure of the referendum. Howard, who was prime minister of Australia at the time, publicly expressed his intention to vote ‘no’ in the referendum. A lot of pro-republic voters also voted ‘no’ because they felt that the method proposed for electing a president was undemocratic.
What's next?
Although the issue seems to be temporarily off the table, with Malcolm Turnbull tipped as the next prime minister, it is possible that there will be another referendum in our generation. This is one issue which might change the future of the country you live in.
This page was upated by kate elise
How I know this?
Australian Council of Trade Unions,
Why Australia should become a republic,
http://www.actu.asn.au/public/news/1064886459_1696.html
Australian Monarchists League,
http://www.monarchist.org.au
Australian Republic Movement,
http://www.republic.org.au
Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy,
http://www.norepublic.com.au
‘John Howard’s statement in support of the ‘no’ case’, October 25 1999,
http://australianpolitics.com/issues/republic/howard-statement.shtml
‘Peter Costello’s statement in support of the ‘yes’ case’, October 27 1999
http://australianpolitics.com/issues/republic/costello-statement.shtml
