A natural change to republican supporter

Others hide behind criticisms of the model but have failed to put up any alternative. Mainly supporters of direct election, these people have jumped into bed with a group they have absolutely nothing in common with, except a desire to wreck this historic chance for our own head of state.

Direct election supporters claim to be disenchanted with contemporary politics and believe that electing our head of state will somehow remedy the current perceived ills of our political system. They are predominantly against a political figure as head of state, but fail to tell us how you can have a national election for such a position and not get a political figure as the winner.

They also fail to answer questions about the likely shift away from our Westminster system of government if we end up with two leaders each claiming a national mandate from the people. How do they resolve the tension between a political head of state and a political Prime Minister, perhaps from different parties, each having the power to dismiss the other? A political head of state immediately removes the independence of the umpire as it stands in our current system and will be under the proposed republic.

The issue before us is straightforward. We have a simple choice between an Australian as our head of state – someone who can legitimately stride the national and international stages as a non-political leader supporting the government of the day.

It is a change that Australia will make one day and in my view, this is the best model on offer. It allows greater participation and accountability in the appointing of a President, or dismissal should that unlikely event occur. The model maintains our system of Westminster democracy, but most importantly it says to us and the world that we believe in ourselves. We believe one of our own is best to be the head of state. That is definitely worth voting "Yes" for!