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Is it time for Australia to ditch its British royal rulers? Or as chairman of the Australian Republican Movement Peter FitzSimons described the monarchy in an impassioned speech this week: "One family of aristocrats living in a palace in England."
As a devout Republican, hope it happens in my lifetime.
May take a few more years though before even entertaining the idea (the last Referendum is still very vivid to most), but hopefully then Australia may look at it.
Currently it is rarely talked about, even less than the flag debate, and neither of the 2 main political parties are pushing for it. (although in general Liberal is more pro-Monarchy, and Labor more pro-Republican).
Will have to have a better model to choose from than the 1999 one though, to even have a chance.
In what other countries is the Queen the head of state? Canada, New Zealand, Malaysia, any others?
Depends a lot on what you mean by "head of state". Its probably only in the UK that the Queen has any real power, and then its nothing like the US or French Presidents; more a ceremonial role like the Irish or German presidents. In Canada or Australia you could argue that the Governor General is the "real" HoS, based on their constitutional powers. I've no idea about NZ, as they don't have a written constitution.
Depends a lot on what you mean by "head of state". Its probably only in the UK that the Queen has any real power, and then its nothing like the US or French Presidents; more a ceremonial role like the Irish or German presidents. In Canada or Australia you could argue that the Governor General is the "real" HoS, based on their constitutional powers. I've no idea about NZ, as they don't have a written constitution.
my understanding is that the Australian constitution does not specify who our head of state is. Also there is nothing in it saying the Uk monarch and Australian monarch must be the same person.
As for weather Australia should become a republic, of course it should.
Depends a lot on what you mean by "head of state". Its probably only in the UK that the Queen has any real power, and then its nothing like the US or French Presidents; more a ceremonial role like the Irish or German presidents. In Canada or Australia you could argue that the Governor General is the "real" HoS, based on their constitutional powers. I've no idea about NZ, as they don't have a written constitution.
I assume it's the same in all realms, but here in Canada the monarch is still the HoS and the GG is a surrogate, but the GG is the defacto HoS in all daily affairs of the state. The Queen is just a rubber stamp holder.
What's really farcical about this whole setup that our countries have (Australia, Canada, NZ et al) is that the GG is appointed by the PM, which undermines the whole separation powers and reponsibilities of the two. It's like the ultimate conflict of interest appointment.
In what other countries is the Queen the head of state? Canada, New Zealand, Malaysia, any others?
I doubt that Australia will become a republic during the lifetime of QEII. After she dies perhaps all bets are off.
She is queen and head of state of 16 realms of which 3 have large populations
United Kingdom
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
Antigua and Barbuda
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Grenada
Jamaica
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Papua New Guinea
Solomon Islands
Tuvalu
The territories on Peninsular Malaysia were first unified as the Malayan Union in 1946. Malaya was restructured as the Federation of Malaya in 1948, and achieved independence on 31 August 1957. Malaya united with North Borneo, Sarawak, and Singapore on 16 September 1963. Less than two years later in 1965, Singapore was expelled from the federation.
Fiji became a republic through a military coup in 1987, after which its Great Council of Chiefs continued to recognize Elizabeth II as queen, or Paramount Chief of Fiji, until the council's de-establishment on 14 March 2012. However, this was only a ceremonial title, with no role in government at all.
I assume it's the same in all realms, but here in Canada the monarch is still the HoS and the GG is a surrogate, but the GG is the defacto HoS in all daily affairs of the state. The Queen is just a rubber stamp holder.
Yep, the Canadian Constitution Acts (1867 and 1982) are very different documents when compared to the Australian constitution. For example, they don't appear to include the same provisions defining the powers of the Governor General, including the power to dismiss the House of Representatives, or state governors power to dismiss the Senators for that state, that you'll find in the Australian constitution.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zortation
What's really farcical about this whole setup that our countries have (Australia, Canada, NZ et al) is that the GG is appointed by the PM, which undermines the whole separation powers and reponsibilities of the two. It's like the ultimate conflict of interest appointment.
That's what Australia's constitutional crisis of 1975 was about: the only person who could dismiss the Prime Minister was the Governor General, while the Governor General could only be dismissed by the Prime Minister.
Yep, the Canadian Constitution Acts (1867 and 1982) are very different documents when compared to the Australian constitution. For example, they don't appear to include the same provisions defining the powers of the Governor General, including the power to dismiss the House of Representatives, or state governors power to dismiss the Senators for that state, that you'll find in the Australian constitution.
Yep. The Constitution actually creates the GG and specifies powers that are solely those of the GG. Btw, great new book out by Paul Kelly and Troy Bramston on the 1975 dismissal called The Dismissal. Worth a read.
Anyway, stuff the monarchy. I just needed to get that in
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