Australian republic debate

First Female Governor-General Faces Discrimination

Chair — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:03:53 +1200

The Times reports the Queen's representative in Australia, Quentin Bryce, has been shunned by elite men's clubs in Sydney and Melbourne, despite their own tradition of offering honorary membership to those in "high office".

I wonder if the same clubs would bar the Sovereign on the basis of Her Majesty's gender?

Poll: Most Australians want to dump monarch

Chair — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:12:41 +1200

AFP reports a poll of 1,400 Australians has found 52% would support a republic, with 40% supporting the monarchy and 8% undecided. The poll was conducted after Malcolm Turnbull's election to the leadership of the Liberal Party.

Update: The Australian notes that support for a republic has remained static since 2004, decreasing slightly since the peak in 1999 of 57%.

Malcolm Turnbull wins Liberal leadership

Chair — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:58:13 +1200

Stuff reports that former ARM chair Malcolm Turnbull has beaten Brendan Nelson for the leadership of the Australian Liberal Party. This is a significant step forward for the republic debate in Australia. The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, said:

The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, called on Mr Turnbull to support the push to make Australia a republic and said he looked forward to working with the new Liberal leader.

The Prime Minister versus the Governor-General

Chair — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 18:02:06 +1200

The Melbourne Age has extracts from former Australian Treasurer Peter Costello's memoirs. The provide an intriguing insight into the office of Governor-General and the Prime Minister's office:

Mr Costello has also revealed that Howard downgraded the role of the governor-general while he was prime minister, former federal treasurer Peter Costello writes in his memoirs.
Mr Costello confirms that when Mr Howard came to power in 1996 "there was some tension" between Mr Howard and incumbent governor-general Sir William Dean.

Sir William Dean was the Paul Keating (i.e. Labor) appointed Governor-General. He clashed with the Howard government on social policy - although Mr Howard and his government usually ignored his comments. Interestingly, Sir William was a judge and not a politician.

Australia's last Governor-General?

Chair — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:47:16 +1200

Quentin Bryce has been sworn in as the 25th, and perhaps last, Governor-General of Australia. The ABC has more. Republic UK blogs that Bryce has already made history once by being Australia's first female Governor-General - can could make history again by being its last.

Reuters explains why the appointment matters to the republic debate:

"The most we hope for is that he might start a more spirited discussion of the republic issue during this term of government," Australian Republican Movement deputy chairman John Warhurst told Reuters on Friday.
"We hope that maybe by the time of the next election, he may have a specific program for his next (three year) term."

Australian electoral study 2007: 60% favour a republic

Chair — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:27:31 +1200

The results of the 2007 Australian Electoral Study by the Australian National University are out - and it's not looking good for the monarchy.

Monarchists censor beer ad

Chair — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 13:45:46 +1200

Reuters reports that the Australian Monarchist League (AML) has succeeded in censoring a advertisement for Coopers' Beer which stated "Forget the monarchy, support the publicans":

"It crossed a boundary, because it said 'Forget the Monarchy', and that is a political statement. Why not say forget the republicans?" - Australian Monarchists League national chairman Philip Benwell

Today's Special: Roasted Vice-Roy

Chair — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:57:21 +1200

Steven Spadijer argues for 'constitutional efficiency' at Online Opinion in "Roasting the Governor-General: a recipe for an Australian Republic":

It is for these reasons I support a directly elected President especially when powers are reserved to the Parliament and to the people. The sunset of the constitutional monarchy can itself be the sunrise for Australian democracy and constitutional efficiency.

Aussie Liberals to be led by a republican?

Chair — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:57:14 +1200

...and it's not Malcolm Turnbull. David Farrar notes that News.com.au is speculating Peter Costello, former Treasurer under John Howard and republican, could be using his memoirs of those years to begin his political comeback and roll current Liberal Party leader Dr Brendan Nelson. Dr Nelson is a monarchist.

Costello is a republican, and launched a group called "Conservatives for an Australian Head of State" during the 1999 republic referendum. If he rolls Nelson, it could mean both of Australia's major parties will be led by republicans.

Hat tip: Kiwiblog

"Dismissal's 'fatal' blow to monarchy"

Chair — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:01:08 +1200

The Canberra Times reports Oxford University Professor Iain McLean has stated the dismissal of Gough Whitlam's government in 1975 is a reason to abolish the monarchy.