Politics Should Australia become a Republic?

[schneebly111]

I don't know why so many think Republic = America. Countries like Italy have a President who is for all intents and purposes equivalent to the governor general playing a largely ceremonial role which is presumably what we'd go for.

Functionally I think it would be identical, but without the vestiges of patriarcha philosophy polluting the ceremonial aspect with medieval nonsense.

Australia is a de facto Republic anyway. All we need to do is keep the same system but make the Governor General the overall head of state, removing any ties to the Monarch (who doesn’t interfere in Australia anyway).

To all the ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ types isn’t that acceptable and we get to have an Australian head of state?

 

[burge13]

HeAd Of StAtE

How will a republic affect trade, taxation, security, travel, anything else? Anything real to discuss on the issue or just who some random position that affects absolutely none of us is born?

 

[schneebly111]

HeAd Of StAtE

How will a republic affect trade, taxation, security, travel, anything else? Anything real to discuss on the issue or just who some random position that affects absolutely none of us is born?

Nothing.

We keep the exact same system of government. The link between the Monarchy and the Australian Government is severed and the Governor General goes from de facto Head of State to actual Head of State with the same powers and responsibilities.

 

[sherb]

Nothing.

We keep the exact same system of government. The link between the Monarchy and the Australian Government is severed and the Governor General goes from de facto Head of State to actual Head of State with the same powers and responsibilities.

That is how I would prefer it. As little change as possible, while still removing our ties to the monarchy.

I guess the point of contention then is how is the GG chosen?

 

[evolved2]

There is an irrational attachment to the royal family

The worse claim I hear is this notion that no Australian is trustworthy enough to be a head of State.

Of all the issues I don't really care about, this is near the top.

While I favour a republic, I want to be sold on any proposed model having clear benefits over what we currently have.

 

[Cap]

Of all the issues I don't really care about, this is near the top.

While I favour a republic, I want to be sold on any proposed model having clear benefits over what we currently have.

For me the clear benefit is its an Australian and a head of state actively promoting Australia.

 

[Ghost Patrol]

HeAd Of StAtE

How will a republic affect trade, taxation, security, travel, anything else? Anything real to discuss on the issue or just who some random position that affects absolutely none of us is born?

The Royal Family is too divisive and haven’t provided enough details.

They might take your house. We just don’t know.

 

[burge13]

Of all the issues I don't really care about, this is near the top.

While I favour a republic, I want to be sold on any proposed model having clear benefits over what we currently have.

Which they cant do. They just keep banging on and on about a position they didnt know existed until the queen died . It has zero affect on their lives at all. Truly bizarre

 

[evolved2]

The Royal Family is too divisive and haven’t provided enough details.

They might take your house. We just don’t know.

R U OK?

 

[Ghost Patrol]

R U OK?

YES

 

[BobbyMorri]

That is how I would prefer it. As little change as possible, while still removing our ties to the monarchy.

I guess the point of contention then is how is the GG chosen?

Yep. Exactly the same, bar the Royal Family. I would accept that. Would vote for that if I sense the winds of change.

I dont want an elected President or any elections for that role. The GG should be beyond politics and campaigns. It should go to an outstanding person with a great record of service who they can enjoy near retirement cutting ribbons (Hopefully).

 

[Ghost Patrol]

Republic. GG is elected by Indigenous Australians only.

GG doesn’t need to be Indigenous, just needs their majority support.

 

[Roylion]

Yep. Exactly the same, bar the Royal Family. I would accept that. Would vote for that if I sense the winds of change.

I dont want an elected President or any elections for that role. The GG should be beyond politics and campaigns.

And how do you ensure that? The Reserve powers will be vested in the Head of State. Currently the exercising of reserve powers has restrictions on it in that the reserve powers exercised by the Governor-General aren't vested in the person or title of Governor-General but rather in the monarch.

 

[BobbyMorri]

And how do you ensure that? The Reserve powers will be vested in the Head of State. Currently the exercising of reserve powers has restrictions on it in that the reserve powers exercised by the Governor-General aren't vested in the person or title of Governor-General but rather in the monarch.

I dunno......

 

[schneebly111]

And how do you ensure that? The Reserve powers will be vested in the Head of State. Currently the exercising of reserve powers has restrictions on it in that the reserve powers exercised by the Governor-General aren't vested in the person or title of Governor-General but rather in the monarch.

So we simply transfer the reserve powers rights to the Australian Governor General and sever the links with the monarchy.

What I find hilarious is we act as if this is an insurmountable problem that is too hard to overcome. FFS places like Barbados, Sierra Leone and Malawi have told the Queen/King to f**k off but it’s too hard for us Australians?

Let’s be honest, the truth is a lot of this nation still likes to think of itself as “British to the bootheels”

 

[Roylion]

So we simply transfer the reserve powers rights to the Australian Governor General and sever the links with the monarchy.

As I said, I prefer that the exercising of reserve powers has restrictions on it in that the reserve powers exercised by the Governor-General aren't vested in the person or title of Governor-General but rather in the monarch.

What I find hilarious is we act as if this is an insurmountable problem that is too hard to overcome.

The model of choosing any president has to be decided and voted on in a referendum as being preferable to the current system of constitutional monarchy.

Let’s be honest, the truth is a lot of this nation still likes to think of itself as “British to the bootheels”

It has little to do with that.

 

[schneebly111]

As I said, I prefer that the exercising of reserve powers has restrictions on it in that the reserve powers exercised by the Governor-General aren't vested in the person or title of Governor-General but rather in the monarch.

The Monarch…..who is a person…..

The model of choosing any president has to be decided and voted on in a referendum as being preferable to the current system of constitutional monarchy.

Well if a range of nations can figure it out then we can too. I’m just proposing the simplest solution.

It has little to do with that.

I doubt it. The desire for a lot of Australians to be a part of the mother country remains, a lot of people in this country also want a reminder that people who look like them are the ones in charge.

 

[burge13]

Honestly dont know how ill sleep tonight knowing the head of state isnt from here. Excuse me while i vomit uncontrollably over such serious problems with far reaching consequences

 

[Roylion]

The Monarch…..who is a person…..

Yep. But not chosen by the Prime Minister. Outside politics. The reserve powers are vested in the monarch and are transferred immediately on the death of the monarch to their successor. "The Queen is dead. Long live the King." The monarch reigns. He/she doesn't rule.

Well if a range of nations can figure it out then we can too. I’m just proposing the simplest solution.

It's not simple. The method of appointment, the length of tenure, the powers and role of the President needs to be agreed upon by the people via referendum. I prefer the current system of constitutional monarchy

I doubt it. The desire for a lot of Australians to be a part of the mother country remains,

A 'part of the mother country'? What does this mean exactly? Australia is fully independent already and has been such since 1986.

a lot of people in this country also want a reminder that people who look like them are the ones in charge.

Yeah OK.

 

[schneebly111]

Yep. But not chosen by the Prime Minister. Outside politics. The reserve powers are vested in the monarch and are transferred immediately on the death of the monarch to their successor. "The Queen is dead. Long live the King." The monarch reigns. He/she doesn't rule.

As will the powers be vested in the GG (or whatever they’re called, I vote for the “Big Kahuna’) and then transferred once their term ends. It’s not hard.

Forget this medieval “reigns/rules” sh*t. It’s 2023.

It's not simple. The method of appointment, the length of tenure, the powers and role of the President needs to be agreed upon by the people via referendum. I prefer the current system of constitutional monarchy

Why? It means Australia’s Head of State is British when most of the world can easily put one of their own citizens in the job.

A 'part of the mother country'? What does this mean exactly? Australia is fully independent already and has been such since 1986.

I totally disagree. One, symbolically we are under the flag and symbols of another country.

Secondly does the British Monarch have any power to overrule the decisions of the Australian GG or parliament?

It’s a catch 22 for you. If you say that the British Monarch does have the power the overrule Australians then we are not an independent country.

If you say they don’t then it should be very easy to sever ties with them. You lose either way.

Yeah OK.

I firmly believe that. You yourself said you prefer Australia’s head of state to be British.

 

[schneebly111]

Honestly dont know how ill sleep tonight knowing the head of state isnt from here. Excuse me while i vomit uncontrollably over such serious problems with far reaching consequences

Whilst I agree that symbolism is a bit pointless, things like changing the flag and head of state should be such easy decisions that wouldn’t have any drawbacks. It’s only because some want to make it hard and use them as political tools.

 

[burge13]

Whilst I agree that symbolism is a bit pointless, things like changing the flag and head of state should be such easy decisions that wouldn’t have any drawbacks. It’s only because some want to make it hard and use them as political tools.

I honestly dont care one way or the other. What annoys me no end is people cheering for a republic with this as their main reasoning when they have NFI the reactions to other things like trade etc. Just nuffies

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

I honestly dont care one way or the other. What annoys me no end is people cheering for a republic with this as their main reasoning when they have NFI the reactions to other things like trade etc. Just nuffies

There would be no impact on trade. Australia's not fighting a War of Indedpendence here, its just appointing its own Head of State. The U.K are hardly going to slap trade sanctions on Australia, are they? The rest of the Commonwealth won't be told to freeze us out of the world economy, will they?

 

[Boston tiger]

I don’t mind ending all ties with England as long as we replace England with the USA. Maybe become a territory of the USA like Norfolk Island is to us.
Keep our own money but load up on defence and let’s swagger about the place. I’m looking at you Western New Guinea.

 

[burge13]

There would be no impact on trade. Australia's not fighting a War of Indedpendence here, its just appointing its own Head of State. The U.K are hardly going to slap trade sanctions on Australia, are they? The rest of the Commonwealth won't be told to freeze us out of the world economy, will they?

If we went republic there would be impacts on just about everything. Big or small, there would be an impact

Again, if your only reason for this is caring who a token role is you are a nuffy