avocadia . # .

Apolitical:

I see two issues with the vision of an apolitical President. Firstly, if the president is directly elected, then at some point there will be campaigning. I can\'t see how politics won\'t enter it during a campaign. The position can\'t help but be political once you give the power of filling it to the people. The Govenor General position is largely apolitical because of tradition and because the prime minister has the power to appoint the GG. Change that and you change the dynamic.

If nothing else, the president will have the bully pulpit, which itself can be a check on the power of the legislature. I imagine the ALP wishes they held a honourary presidential position right now.

I\'d also argue the point that there is a good balance between the PMs office and the Govenor General. I think the Honourary President should be granted more powers than the GG has now. At minimum they should have the power to force the High Court to review the constitutionality of legislation.