Should Australia become a republic?

[TheDag]

I voted yes. It's high time that Australia stopped playing colonies and started to face up to the reality that we are an independent nation capable of creating our own destiny.

Can you explain to me how this is not happening now because we aren't a republic? Also can you comment on what I said in post #2 about how the queen doesn't do anything other than rubber stamp a decision made by the PM and even then it is only one decision (who becomes GG). To even suggest Australia is playing colonies sounds silly to me. How are we doing that? How does it affect our lives and How will spending millions upon millions of dollars to become a republic change things?

As for your comment about it means it will recognise we have our own independant history and that we have forged our own identity through struggles I was taught that at school and that was twenty years ago when there was alot more support for the monarchy!

 

[GodsoldierClintus]

I feel we should become a republic so as to fix up the political system. I feel that the current representation is not right. People should have the option of not voting - it will force the parties to fight for the votes and delivery on promises instead of just swaying the biggest amount of voters who are forced to vote and who really don't care.

Yes that won't be a perfect system, you can argue both ways, saying that the parties will just work for the people that will just vote for them but I like it a lot better than the one we have now.

 

[Nooj]

Can you explain to me how this is not happening now because we aren't a republic? Also can you comment on what I said in post #2 about how the queen doesn't do anything other than rubber stamp a decision made by the PM and even then it is only one decision (who becomes GG). To even suggest Australia is playing colonies sounds silly to me. How are we doing that? How does it affect our lives and How will spending millions upon millions of dollars to become a republic change things?

So if the Queen doesn't do anything, then why have her? What's so good about a constitutional monarchy?

 

[Blessed-one]

So if the Queen doesn't do anything, then why have her? What's so good about a constitutional monarchy?

1. retaining and remaining in a history that's rapidly swept away by modernism?
2. so we can call for help from Britain if we ever need it?
3. turn a blind-eye to Australia's struggle for an identity of its own?
4 Anglo-superiority for certain?

oh, I voted yes by the way.

But! it does sound terribly dreadful to have a president, at least right now, we know the Prime Minister doesn't (though not in reality) hold power like Bush in America:

I voted no, because it's not like there's anything wrong with being a republic. It's good to have a head of state who's not going to be swayed by party politics.

 

[Monarchist]

Providing a Republic is based on a workable system were the people are heard, there is nothing wrong with a Republic. I just cant imagine politicians releasing there controll

 

[tigercub]

Providing a Republic is based on a workable system were the people are heard, there is nothing wrong with a Republic. I just cant imagine politicians releasing there controll

Says Monarchist

Sorry, just struck me as funny

 

[Neenie1]

I feel we should become a republic so as to fix up the political system. I feel that the current representation is not right. People should have the option of not voting - it will force the parties to fight for the votes and delivery on promises instead of just swaying the biggest amount of voters who are forced to vote and who really don't care.

Yes that won't be a perfect system, you can argue both ways, saying that the parties will just work for the people that will just vote for them but I like it a lot better than the one we have now.

I could not disagree more with you.

Do you want to forego the right to vote? By banning compulsory voting I think it's opening the door to go back in history, what's next saying that women and anyone other than white can vote.


I don't want to go to an American type of system where people don't HAVE to vote. I think compulsory voting is important to maintain the right by everyone to vote.

 

[ebia]

That depends on the model of republic being proposed. Being asked to vote for or against "a republic" without the detail is absurd.

us becomming a republic = us becomming more like america = bad

America is not the only model. America is a model with a very strong president. Ireland (for instance) has a president who is purely a figurehead like the current G.G.

 

[ebia]

That depends on the model of republic being proposed. Being asked to vote for or against "a republic" without the detail is absurd.

us becomming a republic = us becomming more like america = bad

America is not the only model. America is a model with a very strong president. Ireland (for instance) has a president who is purely a figurehead like the current G.G.

 

[ebia]

I could not disagree more with you.

Do you want to forego the right to vote? By banning compulsory voting I think it's opening the door to go back in history, what's next saying that women and anyone other than white can vote.


I don't want to go to an American type of system where people don't HAVE to vote. I think compulsory voting is important to maintain the right by everyone to vote.

Why does everyone assume that if America does X then America is the only model of doing X? Australia is extremely unusual in having compulsory voting - most of the world's democracies don't, including most European countries. Belgium I believe does have compulsory voting, and much good it does them. The reality is that it makes very little difference either way.

 

[ebia]

I feel we should become a republic so as to fix up the political system. I feel that the current representation is not right. People should have the option of not voting - it will force the parties to fight for the votes and delivery on promises instead of just swaying the biggest amount of voters who are forced to vote and who really don't care.

Yes that won't be a perfect system, you can argue both ways, saying that the parties will just work for the people that will just vote for them but I like it a lot better than the one we have now.

None of that has anything to do with being a republic vs constitutional monarchy.

 

[ebia]

1. retaining and remaining in a history that's rapidly swept away by modernism?

??? The history you are hanging on to is a modernist one, if anything being swept away by post-modernism. The current set-up is just as modernist as a republic.

2. so we can call for help from Britain if we ever need it?

You think Britain gives a stuff whether Australia turns republic or not?

3. turn a blind-eye to Australia's struggle for an identity of its own?

?

4 Anglo-superiority for certain?

?
No more certain in a republic than constitutional monarchy.

oh, I voted yes by the way.

But! it does sound terribly dreadful to have a president, at least right now, we know the Prime Minister doesn't (though not in reality) hold power like Bush in America:

Republics do not have to invest power in their president. America is not the world's best example of a republic, and only a moron would foist that version on Australia.

 

[ebia]

Why are nearly all the argument on both sides red-herrings?

 

[Archaeopteryx]

If Australia were to become a republic, one thing seems clear and that is, not to follow the same model as the American republic.

 

[TheDag]

So if the Queen doesn't do anything, then why have her? What's so good about a constitutional monarchy?

Tell you what ask this question again when you answer my other comment about me not being able to see the benefits outweighing the cost of changing. The cost of changing would be massive. Then we can say we now have a president instead of a GG. Wow what a difference that is going to make in our lives. I'm sure that will go a long way towards eradicating poverty and providing equal opportunity for all and solving problems facing aboriginal communities.

I am mainly responding to people who are suggesting the queen interferes with politics here. I was simply pointing out how wrong they are.


if you really want an answer now to your question then my answer would be whats so good about the alternative that we should spend millions upon millions of dollars changing the system?

 

[TheDag]

1. retaining and remaining in a history that's rapidly swept away by modernism?

Can you provide evidence of how this is happening because we are a constitutional monarchy and how being a republic will change that. I see evidence of this sweeping away you mention but it has nothing to do with being a monarchy or government.

2. so we can call for help from Britain if we ever need it?

Which is why we have already aligned ourselves with the US???? Australia realised long ago they couldn't rely on UK for help. That is why the decision was first made during world war 2 to rely on the US and the decision has been reinforced several times. Of course the way world politics works these days it would make no difference if we were monarchy or republic.

3. turn a blind-eye to Australia's struggle for an identity of its own?

I see no evidence of us having trouble identifying ourselves as seperate to the UK. Are you able to provide some. Even with the governments recent citzinship test questions are asked about the ANZAC spirit. It is from things like that that we get our identity. It is also from our sporting teams that we get our identity (although to a lesser degree).

4 Anglo-superiority for certain?

ou think changing a title from constitutional monarchy to republic is going to change racism? I think your kidding yourself. Those things don't change because of laws. You need to change peoples thinking.

But! it does sound terribly dreadful to have a president, at least right now, we know the Prime Minister doesn't (though not in reality) hold power like Bush in America:

I wonder why people always want to compare things to the american style of republic. There are plenty of other styles which people probably wouldn't want.

 

[tgg]

I think the Queen is a fink. I'd like to see Australia lfreed from the British rule and returned to its original owners - a change is as good as a holiday.

 

[SemperFidelis]

I feel we should become a republic so as to fix up the political system. I feel that the current representation is not right. People should have the option of not voting - it will force the parties to fight for the votes and delivery on promises instead of just swaying the biggest amount of voters who are forced to vote and who really don't care.

Yes that won't be a perfect system, you can argue both ways, saying that the parties will just work for the people that will just vote for them but I like it a lot better than the one we have now.

I know it is off topic, but Australia DOES NOT have compulsory voting. We have compulsory attendance on voting day, but thats it. Once you are there you can scribble on your ballot paper,draw a rude picture or just put a blank ballot in the box. No one can force you to put a number or a tick in any of the of the boxes.

Blessings

Steve

 

[Diane_Windsor]

us becomming a republic = us becomming more like america = bad

Why is that bad?

I voted undecided. I am a strong supporter of Republics, however; I respect the rights of other countries to make their own decisions.

 

[Monarchist]

Because Diane, Australia has its own identity. We like it. No disrespect intended.