Keep the current system, but call the Governor General something else with exactly the same rights (bugger all). Cut all connections with the Monarchy if you like. They are irrelevant to Australia.

Don't fix something that ain't broke.

skippy. wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2010 at 1:04pm:


We'll probably follow Canada's lead.

I would not like to see a Presidential system. Personally I'd favour a system such as the Swiss Federal State model. The current G'sG for each of the States and the Australia GG could form a presiding council - a final check and balance with no more power than the current GG. They could meet by Internet conferencing where necessary, staying in their own states.

We don't even have to call it a Republic. Design the system we want, and call it a Federal State or whatever.

Bobby. wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2010 at 1:29pm:


Do you reckon we should ask the Dalai Lama if he wants to be our president?  He has too much time on his hands these days. 

With the USA getting rid of the inferior Union Jack political expression (War of Independence,etc).
Australia holds onto the Union Jack political expression for dear life.
There are some Australians who are greatly influenced by the USA and desire a 'President' as a Head of (democratic) State ...Republic and getting rid of the Union Jack political expression just like the USA did.
But with the UK being a USA colony in Europe ...anyway.
(I can see some Pommie ears steam right now and a lot of Europeans laughing, especially the Germans ...but in Europe, the winning formula is Medicine, not Politics and that's why the UK is suffering from taking '3rd world' Medical advice from the USA because they speak the same language ...in the name of Politics)

Hope I haven't lost any of you yet, with all this 'big picture' talk?

>>I can't reveal toooo much, but lets just say that there will be a Republic, but it won't be a totarian system.
There won't be a 'President' (more like a Chairman) as a Head of State (more like a Province).
The political power and expression will be with and via the People of the Australian Republic, and not via any 'Head of' anything in the name of Individualism. The Independents will emerge as a more poulace choice and Labor & Liberal will be the thing of the past.

Like I said, I can't say too much, because whispers of Civil War, tend to make things pretty ugly and you don't need me to start that one on this Forum, but let me assure you, it is highly likely, that something like that might happen well before any sense of a national Republic.

I hope this post both 'shakes' but not 'stirs' the issue.
U.nited
F.ederation of
O.ceania
...for all Austr-Aliens

Did I scare you that much Muso?
Sorry, just trying to help.

Three forms of Australian Politics...the UK influenced style, the USA influenced style and the Australian style that knows how to attain a good style with a blowdryer and makeup.

What am I saying here?
Well, those that rest upon the expatriated or foriegn UK/USA styles, forget that the reason the true Australian style of Politics is ....wait for it ....wait ...."SEX"    is because the Art Industry is on the brink of creating a 'Privatised' Australian nation, free from Politics beyond those two UK/USA 'visitors'.
So in the end, a Republic is just a moot system that represents the political Australia that is nothing more than the honourable 'family man'.

Am sorry, as much as I'm with you guys on Politics. I can't help but admit defeat in the face of the more powerful Art Industry. I'm not talking cliche traditional artforms like paint brush and Archibald prizes you see on TV, I'm talking state of the Art Computerised!

...and yes that includes WETA Workshop

freediver wrote on Jul 4^th, 2010 at 10:40am:

Were Monarchists not monarchists and not culturally infantile, there would be no question regarding removing the British Monarch as the Australian Head of State. Their cultural maturity would compel them to support even the simplest solution of establishing the Governor-General as President - i.e. the actual Head of State.

freediver wrote on Jul 4^th, 2010 at 2:22pm:

Cultural infantilism masquerading as wise caution... Just an attempt by monarchists and crypto-monarchists to filibuster the republican debate by the smoke screen of false caution. Republicans don't lobby for a complex model (as opposed to a ceremonial President either directly elected,appointed by Parliament or "Sovereign Council").

"Any old solution"... A typical example of the exaggerated and vacuous rhetoric of a cultural child.