Australian Politics Forum - Should Australia become a republic?

NorthOfNorth

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Re: Should Australia become a republic?
Reply #60 - Apr 22^nd, 2008 at 10:59pm

Sprintcyclist wrote on Apr 22^nd, 2008 at 10:37pm:

helian - fair comments.
I see the prime Minister as the head of state.

I still see no advantage to Aussie being a republic.
There is always a risk with change, so there HAS to be an advantae to make it worthwhile.
If any present system is functioning well, there has to be a significant advantage for a change to another untried system.

Fair enough, we can agree to disagree. Ironic though that a nation, noted even by Irish Presidents to be the most Irish of nations outside of Ireland would have an issue with complete separation from the British Crown.

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Sprintcyclist

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Re: Should Australia become a republic?
Reply #61 - Apr 22^nd, 2008 at 11:45pm

Helian - yes, I'ld think Aussie was the most irish nation outside of Ireland. (My descent is Irish/Scottish).

I'm even more sure that Aussie will become a republic in the future.
Still, doesn't mean I have to agree with it

.

Wise people can agree to disagree. Otherwise, there are wars.

Quite fair you would prefer to be "ruled" by an Aussie, than a Brit.
As an Irish/Scot, I can see that.
As an Aussie, I go with what is best.

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Neferti Gold Member Offline Posts: 7965 Canberra Gender:	Re: Should Australia become a republic? Reply #62 - Apr 23^rd, 2008 at 12:00am I thought you were a Kiwi, Sprint?
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Sprintcyclist Gold Member Offline OzPolitic Posts: 41055 Gender:	Re: Should Australia become a republic? Reply #63 - Apr 23^rd, 2008 at 12:10am neferti - very observant of you !! 5/5 kiwi by birth, Aussie by choice, irish/scot by bloodline. You ? Some parts of kiwiland are very scottish ! Kiwiland overall is more english. Aussie is more american.
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Neferti

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Re: Should Australia become a republic?
Reply #64 - Apr 23^rd, 2008 at 12:15am

Oh, and by the way Australia becoming a Republic has nothing, whatsoever, to do with the British.

The Australia Act 1986 severed ALL ties with Britain as far as our Constitution is concerned, legally. It left the Queen as "nominal" HOS. but all she does is "tick" the PM's choice of Governer-General. She is NOT paid a cent and has no role in our Government. She is NOT required.

QE2 is a nice lady and I like her. We, as a country must look forward a few years. Surely you don't want Charlie as our nominal HOS?

It's Time to do the final step, I think. Roll Eyes

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Neferti

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Re: Should Australia become a republic?
Reply #65 - Apr 23^rd, 2008 at 12:19am

Sprintcyclist wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2008 at 12:10am:

neferti - very observant of you !! 5/5
kiwi by birth, Aussie by choice, irish/scot by bloodline.
You ?

Some parts of kiwiland are very scottish ! Kiwiland overall is more english.
Aussie is more american.

My ancestors were pure Scottish. Not a drop of Irish blood in my veins. Grin

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« Last Edit: Apr 23^rd, 2008 at 9:06am by Neferti »

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NorthOfNorth

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Re: Should Australia become a republic?
Reply #66 - Apr 23^rd, 2008 at 12:27am

Neferti wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2008 at 12:19am:

Sprintcyclist wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2008 at 12:10am:

neferti - very observant of you !! 5/5
kiwi by birth, Aussie by choice, irish/scot by bloodline.
You ?

Some parts of kiwiland are very scottish ! Kiwiland overall is more english.
Aussie is more american.

My ancestors were pure Scottish. Not a drop of Irish of blood in my veins. Grin

Ah Scotland! Politically breathing again after centuries of English domination. They've even got their own version of wikipedia in Scottish Gaelic (I think).

Check out

http://sco.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_II_o_the_Unitit_Kinrick for a bit of translation fun!

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Sprintcyclist Gold Member Offline OzPolitic Posts: 41055 Gender:	Re: Should Australia become a republic? Reply #67 - Apr 23^rd, 2008 at 12:40am neferti - really - pure Scots !!!!!!!!!! Excellent. The Scots were the ONLY country NOT to be overrun to the english. You have much to be proud of. My family motto means " With a strong hand." From the 5th century in Ireland.
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freediver

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Re: Should Australia become a republic?
Reply #68 - Apr 23^rd, 2008 at 7:56am

My issue is with a foreign Head of State

She's a figure head. It's the PM who really runs the place.

The easiest, most obvious and least problematic would be to declare the Governor-General the unqualified Head of State (and not the anachronistic nominal penultimate) with all else being equal to the current process (i.e. the HOS appointed by the Head of Government).

In effect, an extremely costly change that doesn't have any real impact. Plus, it would weaken the role of GG because the PM would be more likely to put in a snivelling lap dog. It could end up being like the deputy PM position - highly political.

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oceanz Gold Member Offline Auzgurl.. Posts: 3531 Gender:	Re: Should Australia become a republic? Reply #69 - Apr 23^rd, 2008 at 8:18am I tend to agree with John Howard here. I like the Queen . I say I'm not a monarchist , but maybe I am? Nerfiti...welcome.
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NorthOfNorth

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Re: Should Australia become a republic?
Reply #70 - Apr 23^rd, 2008 at 8:30am

In effect, an extremely costly change that doesn't have any real impact. Plus, it would weaken the role of GG because the PM would be more likely to put in a snivelling lap dog. It could end up being like the deputy PM position - highly political.

As the PM (the Head of Government) already appoints the GG, what extra cost would there be to implement? I don't believe that snivelling lapdog is a fair description of Sir Zelman Cowen, Sir Ninian Stephen, Bill Hayden, Sir William Deane or Michael Jeffery.

Let's not forget also that the only occasion an Australian GG unilaterally exercised reserve powers was to act against the man who appointed him to the position. Hardly the act of a snivelling lapdog towards his benefactor.

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« Last Edit: Apr 23^rd, 2008 at 8:35am by NorthOfNorth »

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freediver

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Re: Should Australia become a republic?
Reply #71 - Apr 23^rd, 2008 at 11:30am

As the PM (the Head of Government) already appoints the GG, what extra cost would there be to implement?

For starters, the referendum.

I don't believe that snivelling lapdog is a fair description of Sir Zelman Cowen, Sir Ninian Stephen, Bill Hayden, Sir William Deane or Michael Jeffery.

Exactly. This is far more likely to no longer be the case once you remove the last impediment to the appointment of a snivelling lapdog. So basically, it is an expensive change that does almost nothing and if it does make a change it will be a change for the worse. This is not about ideology, or national pride, or monarchy. It is about the practical issues of running a country. Australian are practical people. That's why we don't bother fixing alleged 'problems' that don't need fixing.

Let's not forget also that the only occasion an Australian GG unilaterally exercised reserve powers was to act against the man who appointed him to the position.

Isn't that the only time they would do something?

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NorthOfNorth

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Re: Should Australia become a republic?
Reply #72 - Apr 23^rd, 2008 at 2:04pm

Exactly. This is far more likely to no longer be the case once you remove the last impediment to the appointment of a snivelling lapdog.

The Monarch merely signs the appointment. She has no formal right to question the appointment and as she is a foreigner she should have no right to be consulted at all.

Let's not forget also that the only occasion an Australian GG unilaterally exercised reserve powers was to act against the man who appointed him to the position.

Isn't that the only time they would do something?

So the appointment did not prevent the GG acting counter to the interests of the PM who appointed him. A snivelling lapdog by definition would not have insulted his benefactor. He did not have to act at all... but he did.

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freediver Gold Member Offline www.ozpolitic.com Posts: 51284 At my desk.	Re: Should Australia become a republic? Reply #73 - Apr 23^rd, 2008 at 2:11pm You seem to be missing the point helian. I'm not saying that it has happened in the past. I'm saying it is more likely to happen in the future if you make the changes suggested.
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Sprintcyclist Gold Member Offline OzPolitic Posts: 41055 Gender:	Re: Should Australia become a republic? Reply #74 - Apr 23^rd, 2008 at 3:08pm So far - no hard and fast advantages for a republic over a monarchy.
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Question: Should Australia become a republic?
YES NO MAYBE « Created by: DILLIGAF on: Mar 6^th, 2007 at 10:11pm »