Ron Walker put this submission to the Australia 2020 Summit. He argues why we should remove the Queen, but preserve our constitutional separation of powers between the Head of State and the Governor General.
Robert Vose has submitted the following summary of Copernican Models for a republic to the Australia 2020 Summit. The opinions expressed are his.
H. K. Farmer put this submission to the 2020 summit, arguing that since New Zealand and Australia already share a common Head of State, why not consider continuing the arrangement under a republic.
A spectrum of presidential powers is often used to compare republican models. The failed bi-partisan appointment model attempted to find a centrist compromise and now plebiscites are to resolve the question of direct-election vs appointment. But using a spectrum of powers hides certain assumptions and it’s only in breaking these assumptions can we envisage Australia’s republican future.
David O’Brien explains how a directly-elected Head of State to replace the Queen alone yet keeping our current constitutional system would separate Australia from the Monarchy in the simplest and safest manner possible.
The view of the Copernican Group is that the States have an important role in the Australian federation and models developed by the group readily address the issue of how a State should break its ties with the monarchy.
The following background speech was given to the Third Republican Gathering in Brisbane on 5th November 2006 by David Latimer, in response to the session on “Should the States play a role in moving towards a republic and if so, what steps can be taken.”
If a republic is established, what will happen to the Queen’s Birthday long weekend? Even though ancillary to republicanism, it is important that republicans have an answer.
At the Third Republican Gathering in Brisbane on 5th November 2006, leading the session on “National Day of Celebration”, David Latimer provided background and various approaches. The following is based upon his notes and preparation for that session.
In the very heart of our constitutional system, John Power proposes a Council of State, chaired by an elected President who provides integrity and assurance that our state and federal governments are working for the people under the rule of law.
Be taken on a journey from the start of the modern age to current efforts to forge a better constitution. On the way meet the New Copernicans and their constitutional paradigm that is redefining the republican debate and will remake our nation.
Peter Carden investigates the implications of republicanism for the States and discovers how the Copernican paradigm is not only respectful of state independence; it could give states a major role in defining the Presidency.
