Direct election

"A democratic republic"

Chair — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:13:48 +1300

Luke Whittington writes about a 'democratic republic' at On Line Opinion:

The motivations for becoming a republic are many, but the most important has always seemed to be that Australian culture and politics are, at their best, democratic and egalitarian, while monarchy is not. Why is our head of state chosen by accident of birth? And, why can’t the head of state be someone born poor, or Catholic, or black or even Tasmanian?

Republic Party of New Zealand Party discusses republicanism

Chair — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:57:35 +1200

It sounds funny, but the Republic of New Zealand Party has put out something on New Zealand becoming a republic. But it's not actually funny because despite the party's name, the policy is not included in the party's constitution policy information, nor is it included in their "5 Ways Forward" platform for this year's election. Most of the party's media releases relate to "men's rights" issues, the Electoral Finance Act, and not republicanism.

The Republic of New Zealand Party, much unlike the Republican Movement, is a political organisation which only has republicanism as a small part of it's platform. Nonetheless, the party's Constitutional Spokesman Wayne Hawkins articulated the party's policy position in the speech just posted on their website.

Iceland: no presidential election

Chair — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:53:36 +1200

IcelandReview reports that President Ólafur Grímsson of Iceland has been re-elected, as no other valid presidential candidates submitted the required signatures of recommendation before the cut off date last Friday. Article 5 of the Icelandic Constitution specifies a minimum of 1,500 signatures is required.

This means that President Grímsson will serve his fourth term. Iceland typically has long-serving Presidents, the last President served for 16 years, Grímsson will have served 18 years when his next term ends in 2012 (unless he resigns before then).

Popular election is popular

Chair — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:52:35 +1200

With one Australian poll putting support for a republic as high as 69%, the supporters of the status quo are pulling out all sorts of argument to strengthen their case. Malcolm Mackerras, a patron of Australians for Constitutional Monarchy, writes in The Canberra Times that a second republic referendum will be defeated, with one of his reasons being that a direct election model will be proposed:

"...if they [the republicans] go for popular election of the president all the objections to that model will come to the fore."

Republic first; election later

Chair — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 10:17:39 +1200

Australian blog Knotted Paths considers one path to a republic - electing the Governor-General:

Surprising as this seems, we could choose to elect our Governor-General as of tomorrow (republic or no), through an act of Parliament that constrains the appointment.