Constitutional review: NZ republic off the agenda?
Audrey Young at the New Zealand Herald reports:
Republicanism will be off the agenda for now. While New Zealand effectively operates as a republic, Key has made it clear he has no interest in formalising it in the lifetime of Queen Elizabeth II, the head of state.
This is very disappointing news if it's true. One of the reasons the Republican Movement was given for National and the Maori Party voting down the Bill (by various MPs) was that the constitutional review would be considering the issue. In fact, Rahui Katene MP made mention of it in her speech on the first reading of the Bill.
Printer-friendly version
Send by email
Comments
"Where the next constitutional review will differ greatly from Dunne's is
that it will not be politically driven."
Well that's just marvellous.
It's sort of a valid point, although I don't know exactly why Labour chose to ignore the Dunne committee's report. It actually made sound recommendations around public education and engagement.
Agreed, it may be possible I overreacted. But as long as there is no clear bipartisan consensus between National and Labour about the changes needed, every constitutional review is going to be politically driven, one way or another. With the idea that "we have to make the impression we are delivering a change", if nothing else. That doesn't make every contribution undesirable, but it would be foolish to believe no party political motivations exist.
The lack of clear party interest is also something that is hampering the Australian process (in the republican question, that is): ALP knows it would have a good chance of winning the referendum, but I fear the referendum is nevertheless deemed useless, as the party stands to gain nothing from it. The high popular support for directly elected president seems to be something that makes the whole subject poisonous in the eyes of many politicians, as the fear of voters choosing the wrong candidate is stronger than any sensible argument.
Indeed, it's something of a paradox in Australia: the ALP wants a referendum (most rank and file members I've spoken to want one); yet their MPs won't go near the topic. I suspect they're biding their time, waiting for an event. It's not exactly smart - the Greens continue to push the plebiscite option, and will gain the balance of power in the Australian senate from June next year.
Post new comment