The Menzies government sought to define Australia in terms of a pre-WWII identity. It looked to Britain as the Empire, race and foundation of Australian nationalism. By the time Menzies retired and younger politicians such as Harold Holt and John Gorton took over, it was obvious that was no longer a description which could tie the polity together. It was in this environment that Donald Horne and Geoffrey Hutton wrote their arguments for an Australian Republic. Their call was fairly limited, and argued very little in change. It was mainly remove the Queen and Britain as the centre of Australian politics and nationalism. The Australian Republican Movement has adopted this same philosophy, but Republicanism is built on universal values of liberty and governance. The Dutton/Horne view of a Republic is too small for the Australian people to accept.
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dlatimer : Head of State: Australians do not want to elect the Governor-General. They want to elect the Head of State, who is currently the Queen.
Some of the powers this article outlines would create a limited executive presidency, such as the situation in France. There is very little support for this. Involving the Head of State in the politics of the nation would diminish the Leader of the Opposition who\'s role it is to develop alternative policies and ready an alternative government. It would diminish the High Court who has the role and resources to protect rights and liberties.
The role of Governors is primarily in ensuring consitutional propriety. That legislation and regulation is properly enacted and that ministrial advice is appropriately converted into executive action.
Prof John Power is currently proposing a council of state, to provide assistance and assurance that governors, increasingly chosen from the general community, are undertaking their duties effectively. More on that proposal, which involves realistic and effective reform in coming months.
This is how government can organised according to actual republican values, which are real-world values, critical of leaving absolute power in one master yet equally critical of weak ineffective governent with vague lines of responsibility.
Getting back to what the people want, let us give our future Head of State the primary role of representing the Australian community in an apolitical manner. Someone who is \"above politics\" not another politican. Someone who is respected and connected with Australians everywhere. If we are listening to Australians and interested in delivering, then we must listen to it all and deliver on each point.
This can be done. This can be be achieved if our future Head of State is elected and has no more executive power than the Queen in her Australian role.
See
http://www.copernican.info
