Previous OurSay
Next OurSay
Click here to see other OurSays. You have 7 votes per OurSay!
Stephen Mayne, John Thwaites, Fran Bailey, OurCommunity.com.au, CC
in
“Communities in Control ”
Open
Ged Kearney, ACTU, Secure Jobs. Better Future., Josh Peak
in
“Secure jobs for a better future”
Closed
Cr Cathy Oke, City of Melbourne
in
“Rio Plus 20 Agenda”
Responses up
Crikey, House of Representatives, Adam Bandt MP, Your question
in
“The People's Question”
Responses up
Campbell Newman
in
“The Queensland Agenda”
Responses up
Andrew Demetriou, Amanda Vanstone, Charlie Pickering
in
“The Australian Republic”
Responses up
Anna Bligh
in
“The Queensland Agenda - Part 1”
Responses up
Prof. Noam Chomsky, Deakin University
in
“Contours Of Global Order”
Responses up
666 ABC Canberra, UC, Canberra Refugee Support, Julie Posetti
in
“Reporting Refugees”
Responses up
John Merritt, EPA
in
“EPA Victoria”
Responses up
Robert Manne, The Quarterly Essay
in
“Bad News”
Responses up
Andrew Demetriou, Kevin Sheedy, Matthew Richardson
in
“AFL Finals Panel ”
Responses up
The Climate Agenda, Michael Bachelard, Misha Schubert, Deborah Gough
in
“The Sunday Age”
Responses up
You?, Greg Hywood, Mark Scott, Sophie Black
in
“Australian Media Leaders”
Responses up
Kelly O’Dwyer, Deb O’Neill , Larissa Waters
in
“Women in Politics”
Responses up
David Thodey
in
“Telstra CEO David Thodey”
Responses up
The Hon. Martin Dixon MP, Vic SRC
in
“Victorian Education Minister”
Responses up
Margaret Simons, Anna Krien, Tim Soutphommasane
in
“Quarterly Essay”
Responses up
Malcolm Fraser
in
“Renewing Democracy”
Responses up
Q&A
in
“Q&A - After The Budget - May 16th”
Responses up
The Australian Republic
Some say an Australian Republic is the final step in a journey towards independence and nationhood for our country. It will have a resident Australian citizen as Head of State, chosen through a process that reflects Australian values such as equality, fairness and democracy.
If you are interested in the role of a future Australian Head of State, OurSay is offering you the opportunity to ask the big questions about what it means for Australia to one day become a Republic.
Working with the Australian Republican Movement (ARM) the top 5 questions on OurSay will be discussed by the featured panelists at the ARM Victorian Republican Conference held at Deakin University (Melbourne Campus) on Saturday 4th February 2012. You can download a flyer for the event here.
The Question
Real discussion about "Republic" involves consideration of checks and balances, and separation of powers. A well designed republic has a parliament, a separate executive, a separate judiciary and an acknowledge role for the press (the fourth estate). Australia is currently very weak on these matters. When can we expect a mature discussion about these vital issues?
Past experience has shown that the more complex proposed constitutional changes are, the less likely they are to be passed by a referendum. Why confuse the shift to a republic with other constitutional changes. It has to be done step by step. First, a plebiscite to gain approval in principle to a republic, then a referendum proposing the minimum change necessary to achieve a republic i.e.replacing the Governor-General with a President elected by a 2/3 majority of both houses of Parliament. That is all that is required and is the only way a republic will be achieved.
I'd disagree James. I believe the best way forward would be through the negotiation for a 'new and improved' federal constitution, that has clear majority public support. With such support in place, and with a demonstrated benefit of introducing the changes, the remainder of the process would flow much smoother. The fact is that without any demonstrable benefit, the Australian public will never embrace any change.
The problem is that the PM is the head of the parliament, head of the executive, and has the power to appoint judges. Also trying to muzzle the press. Seems to me that there is a problem. For example, if we appoint a President rather than the GG, shouldn't we discuss the powers of the President? Shouldn't he/she head the executive as in the US? The problem is the paucity of discussion about these issues. They are important.