Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Not quite the road to Damascus

By Graham Young - posted Wednesday, 15 September 1999


I have heard Malcolm Turnbull assert that we are an international laughing stock because "we do not have an Australian as Head of State." Really? I have yet to hear anyone dismiss New Zealand or Canada because the Queen is their Head of State too. This is a line that could only run in a community lacking in self respect and pride.

My conversion became complete when I tried to imagine the ideal constitutional system. We Australians are not a nation of forelock tuggers. At football matches we frequently boo dignitaries. All men are born equal, and that is the way we believe they should be treated. A system of government suited to us would have as few chiefs as possible.

If you are going to cut management you should start at the top. What role does the Queen and her Vice-Regal Representative play? That of umpire. The G-G invariably signs bills into law when they are presented, and only has real power at the change of government. But in most of our affairs we already have an independent umpire of last resort – the courts. When the system evolves from a constitutional monarchy, why replace the Queen with anyone? Why not vest the power to resolve disputes with the High Court? That way not one person, but seven, would make the decision, there would be an open debate of the issues, and the reasons for judgement would be delivered and printed. What a contrast to the last time the reserve powers were used!

Advertisement

The most minimal model of all would be simply to remove the Head of State altogether.

When I run this idea with people I am invariably told that it would violate the doctrine of the separation of powers. Yet it is an open secret amongst Constitutional lawyers that the great strength of the Westminster System is that it has fused the Executive and the Legislature. This separation of powers is a fiction.

Like most of the contributors to this section, my conversion was not sudden, and not without reservations. I believe that we already have a Republic, that it is a cultural artifact in its current form of which we should be proud, and that over time it will and should evolve. But I do not believe that its evolution should lead to any of the Republican models that are on offer today, and when it evolves it should be because an overwhelming majority demand it, not merely to satisfy fashion on the cusp of a new century.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Graham Young is chief editor and the publisher of On Line Opinion. He is executive director of the Australian Institute for Progress, an Australian think tank based in Brisbane, and the publisher of On Line Opinion.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Graham Young
Related Links
Australian Republican Movement
Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy
Photo of Graham Young
Article Tools
Comment Comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy