Anyway, if you are sick of arguing the semantics and definitions of ‘head of state’, think of it this way. Whatever it is our borrowed monarch does, we don’t want or need her to do it anymore. We have more than enough suitable Australians to fill the top job, and the Australian who does will be able to representusunambiguously to the world and not also be representing other nations.
The head of state issue is a very important reason for an Australian Republic, but can’t be looked at simplistically, semantically, or in isolation. The reasons for an Australian Republic are manifold, and entwined in notions of sovereignty, equality, national identity and democracy:
An Australian Republic is about our place in the world. It’s about creating an unambiguous national identity. It’s about the way we see ourselves and the way we are seen by others. It will remove our ties to a British monarch who must be born into a particular family, must be Anglican, must not be married to a Catholic, must not be illegitimate and can only be a female if she has no brothers. An Australian Republic will have a Head of State who embodies and reflects Australian values, and who will devote their full and undivided loyalty and attention to Australia and the Australian people.
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A Republic will honour our Indigenous heritage and culture with its timeless connection to the Australian land and sea. It will acknowledgeour British heritage and recogniseits precious gifts, including our political and legal institutions.It will also celebrate our immigrant heritage of opportunity and endeavour, and its vital contribution to our national identity. An Australian Republic will respect our diversity, yet unite us as one.
And an Australian Republic will create a fully and truly independent Australian nation with an Australian as Head of State.
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About the Authors
Major General Mike Keating AO has been Chair of the Australian Republican Movement since 2006. He was born in Albury, NSW in 1945 and graduated from Duntroon Military College in 1967, being awarded the Sword of Honour. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Infantry Corps and saw operational duty in South Vietnam. He was promoted to the rank of Major General in June 1994 and served in that rank as Commander 1st Division, Commander Training Command (Army) and Head, Strategic Command, Australian Defence Headquarters in 1999 and 2000 during the major ADF deployment to East Timor. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in June 1993 in recognition of his service as Commander 3rd Brigade and as an Officer in June 2000 for distinguished service to the ADF and to the Australian Army in high level command and staff appointments. Major General Mike Keating retired in January 2001 after 37 years service. He now lives in Brisbane and also works part-time as a mediator with the Queensland Department of Justice.
David Donovan, 40, is the editor of the online journal of Australian identity and democracy, www.independentaustralia.net, and a vice chair of the Australian Republican Movement.
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Mike Keating
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