THE REPUBLICAN ALTERNATIVE Jess, James and Laura

WHAT IS A REPUBLIC? According to the Macquarie Dictionary, a republic is a state in which “the supreme power resides in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them.” In particular, a republic refers to a system of government that has no hereditary monarch – a person who holds political or constitutional office purely as a birthright.

WHAT REPUBLIC MODELS HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED?

MODEL ONE Prime Minister Appoints the President. Prime Minister selects who should be the Head of State. Closest to our current system of government.

MODEL TWO People Nominate, Parliament Appoints the President. Similar to bipartisan model proposed in 1999. Head of State appointed by a 2/3 majority of Federal Parliament. President can only removed by a vote in the House of Representatives.

MODEL THREE Presidential Assembly Elects the President. An electoral college, elected by the public selects the head of state from a list of nominees provided by the public. Presidential Assembly - 48 members: 6 State Governors and 43 populary elected.

MODEL FOUR People Elect the President. Any citizen with the required amount of nominees may run for head of state in a direct vote of the Australian people. Considered to be the most democratic model.

MODEL FIVE People Elect From Parliament’s List. Candidates for the Presidency nominated by the people.

MODEL SIX Executive Presidency. This is a direct election model with a President who is also the Head of Government. Termed as a “US style model.” Abandonment of Westminster system of responsible government in favor of the American republican system.

1998 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

The Convention considered three questions Whether or not Australia should become a republic; Which republic model should be put to the voters to consider against the current system of government; and In what timeframe and under what circumstances might any change be considered.

Whether or not Australia should become a republic? That this Convention supports, in principle, Australia becoming a republic. That this Convention supports the adoption of a republican system of government on the Bipartisan Appointment of the President Model as set out below in preference to there being no change to the Constitution. That this Convention recommends to the Prime Minister and Parliament that the Bipartisan Appointment of the President Model, and other related changes to the Constitution, supported by this Convention, be put to the people in a constitutional referendum.

Bipartisan Appointment of the President Which republic model should be put to the voters to consider against the current system of government? Bipartisan Appointment of the President The public votes indirectly for a President to be Head of State, not Head of the Executive.

100 years after Federation In what timeframe and under what circumstances might any change be considered. If the referendum is in favour of a republic, that the new republic come into effect by 1 January 2001. 100 years after Federation

How would a republic operate in Australia?

Arguments for Australia becoming republic Australian pride Truly independent nation British is no longer relivant to day to day politics President can promote Australia President is one of us (knows what we need and how we feel) No change to flag, national anthem or number of public holidays Still allowed in Olympic games No impact on day to day politics More democratic (people vote) People basis of authority

Arguments against Australia becoming a republic if it ain’t broke don’t fix it tradition (historical importance & political stability) lack of support divides states increase dominance of prime minister and exececutive. opinions have already been shown in last referendum 1999

Why did the 1999 Republic Referendum fail? To alter the Constitution to establish the Commonwealth of Australia as a republic with the Queen and Governor-General being replaced by a President appointed by a two-thirds majority of the members of the Commonwealth Parliament. To alter the Constitution to insert a preamble.