Lincoln, the crown succession and the republic

Fewer voted for the preamble than for the republic. The preamble was no Lincolnesque solution. It merely compounded the problem of the Constitution. How could any Australian call it 'ours' when it emanates from a foreign parliament? How could we endorse a Constitution containing few human rights principles and protections, no affirmation of women's right to vote, no recognition of women, ethnic minorities or Indigenous Australians as 'equal'?

The republic debate itself threw up questions about the very construction of the Constitution and its content, so how could this preamble solve anything? The contradiction of voting for a republic simultaneously with voting for a preamble affirming a monarchical Constitution was rendered in stark focus.

Rather than the 'no' vote to the Australian republic being indicative – as some claimed – of the majority of Australian voters' stupidity, it affirmed Australia as a thinking nation, one not to be befuddled by cant, one not fooled by the power-seeking of the already powerful.

The change to British succession laws, and Lincoln's cry from the heart for his country to recognise that a country enmeshed in man's inhumanity to man – and woman – is no great nation and cannot ever, whilst endorsing this sore, become one, should give impetus to Australia's progress to a republic.

Let's trust, next time around, that the majority of Australians are listened to.