Is republic dead and buried?
#47
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 383
Re: Is republic dead and buried?
Nothing wrong with the Irish model (which sounds no different to the Finnish model). It would make for an easy transition from here to there.
I also believe monarchy is a rotten system. However most people don't care. And then others love the whole fairytale.
My feeling is that there is a slight majority for a republic than not but most are also wary that the government can't be trusted to manage the transition or can't see the benefits of change.
The property bubble is due to burst on the 15 March 2015.
I also believe monarchy is a rotten system. However most people don't care. And then others love the whole fairytale.
My feeling is that there is a slight majority for a republic than not but most are also wary that the government can't be trusted to manage the transition or can't see the benefits of change.
The property bubble is due to burst on the 15 March 2015.
#48
Re: Is republic dead and buried?
My mind was made up to vote yes for a republic when I had dinner with a guest from Malaysia before the referendum.
She questioned the viability of Australia becoming a republic given that the UK would stop sending money to Australia as we would no longer be a colony.
She said in discussions with her university friends and in the main daily Malaysian newspapers there was doubt that Australia could be a success as an independent nation.
She was in disbelief when I pointed out we had already been independent for 100 years.
I think the view of some in Asia (and possibly elsewhere) that we are a colony rather than a nation and not capable of standing alone can only damage their confidence in us as a country. They may not trust us to make independent decisions and it may affect trade decisions they take.
I also do not like that our head of state does not promote us but rather the UK when travelling abroad.
It also goes against the grain that my child can never be head of state of his country. It is not democratic and is not in line with the principles of this country.
I also think the symbolism of having an Australian head of state is the next step in our development as an independent nation. Could you imagine the USA or UK with a foreigner as head of state - would they be the places they are today? I am sure there were many happy with status quo prior to Australia becoming independent in 1901 but nations must move and grow.
She questioned the viability of Australia becoming a republic given that the UK would stop sending money to Australia as we would no longer be a colony.
She said in discussions with her university friends and in the main daily Malaysian newspapers there was doubt that Australia could be a success as an independent nation.
She was in disbelief when I pointed out we had already been independent for 100 years.
I think the view of some in Asia (and possibly elsewhere) that we are a colony rather than a nation and not capable of standing alone can only damage their confidence in us as a country. They may not trust us to make independent decisions and it may affect trade decisions they take.
I also do not like that our head of state does not promote us but rather the UK when travelling abroad.
It also goes against the grain that my child can never be head of state of his country. It is not democratic and is not in line with the principles of this country.
I also think the symbolism of having an Australian head of state is the next step in our development as an independent nation. Could you imagine the USA or UK with a foreigner as head of state - would they be the places they are today? I am sure there were many happy with status quo prior to Australia becoming independent in 1901 but nations must move and grow.
#49
Re: Is republic dead and buried?
Interesting thing to note is that when the Queen of Australia is in Australia, she is considered to be neither an Australian citizen nor a foreigner as such. This doesn't go for anyone else in the Royal Family, including the Duke of Edinburgh.
Also, to address a different point she does act as Queen of Australia in some things outside of Australia - so she does occasionally represent Australia outside Australia.
Also, to address a different point she does act as Queen of Australia in some things outside of Australia - so she does occasionally represent Australia outside Australia.
#50
Re: Is republic dead and buried?
It is not really important whether you call the head of state as president or king/queen/GG but it is important what kind of powers that head of state has. In 1975 the GG dismissed the Australian PM so the GG has large powers if need be.
I wonder how it has been described in law when the GG has the right to dismiss the government. Surely he can't do that at will, there must be some circumstances of deadlock where the only solution is to dismiss the government. If the Irish president had the power to dismiss the government she should have done just that some time ago.
I wonder how it has been described in law when the GG has the right to dismiss the government. Surely he can't do that at will, there must be some circumstances of deadlock where the only solution is to dismiss the government. If the Irish president had the power to dismiss the government she should have done just that some time ago.
#51
Re: Is republic dead and buried?
You can't trust unelected judges. The reserve power is a nice safety catch. Also having a single office sign off laws is useful for those unelected judges.
#52
Re: Is republic dead and buried?
There are several aspects to the debate whether to have a president with purely a ceremonial role or a president with large powers. On one hand, presidents have their terms and can not be removed from office in the middle of the term unless they commit some crime against the constitution or are sentenced of some other serious crime. Incompetence at the job is no reason to remove the president in the middle of the term, only elections can remove the president and the next elections could be years away.
Prime Ministers can be sacked at a very short notice by Parliaments.
On the other hand, many presidents are elected by the people when as Prime MInisters become PM's because they lead the largest party in Parliament. Of course they also must win elections to lead their party as the largest party but PM's can be sacked by their parties if the party no longer elects him/her as the party-leader. Therefore it is the handful of party-activists at party-conferences which in effect elect the Prime Ministers of many countries.
Prime Ministers can be sacked at a very short notice by Parliaments.
On the other hand, many presidents are elected by the people when as Prime MInisters become PM's because they lead the largest party in Parliament. Of course they also must win elections to lead their party as the largest party but PM's can be sacked by their parties if the party no longer elects him/her as the party-leader. Therefore it is the handful of party-activists at party-conferences which in effect elect the Prime Ministers of many countries.
#53
Re: Is republic dead and buried?
I think they're getting married on Friday night (Aus time) so no need for a day off. Also it's quite close to the 5 day holiday period (incl. Sat and Sun) we're getting for Easter and ANZAC day.
#55
Re: Is republic dead and buried?
Have you seen the incompetence of the average Australian politico ?
I say we outsource it, with performance bonuses and the right to terminate the contract for non-performance. Cheaper service delivery from specialists rather than amateurs.
I say we outsource it, with performance bonuses and the right to terminate the contract for non-performance. Cheaper service delivery from specialists rather than amateurs.
#56
Re: Is republic dead and buried?
No different to any others I've experienced. I definitely wouldn't outsource it to India
#58
Re: Is republic dead and buried?
You've obviously not noticed the incompetence of practically every other nation, particularly the 'first world' nations. I have no issues with some people hating Australia and finding stacks of negative issues but it does kind of piss me off when these negative issues are pushed as though the rest of the world doesn't suffer the same crap. It's disingenuous and negates the argument in my opinion.