The Year 2000 will see a turning point in
Australia's attitude about Australia.
AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY |
AUSTRALIAN REPUBLIC |
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Australia's Head of State is the Monarch of Britain who is represented in Australia by a Governer General appointed by the Australian Prime Minister. |
Australia's Head of State is an Australian President who is appointed by a two thirds Parliament majority. This replaces the Current Political System. |
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The Referendum saw a defeat of the prosposed system. The Republicans receiving a little over 45% of the vote and the Monarchists celebrating a victory which seemed unlikely 18 months ago. Australia remains as a constitutinal Monarchy for the time being. Polls showed that approximately 75% favoured a Republic. However, many of these voters did not approve of the proposal that a future Australian President would be selected by a majority of Parliamentary representatives. The alternative proposal that the President should be elected by the people was defeated at a Constitional Convention some months earlier. The Constitutional Convention decided by majority that a President elected by popular vote would lack the impartial stance which currently exists within the office of Governor General who represents the Monarch of Britain. The Governor General is selected by the Prime Minister without consultation but is generally regarded as being above Politics The Direct Electionists argued that a President elected by the people may not neccessarily be party-affiliated. They argued that certain caps could be imposed on the selection and nomination process. The end result of all this was a divided cause. Many Direct Electionists voted 'No' to the proposed Republican model and the motion was defeated. It is almost certain that the debate will continue. |
