VOTE 3: REPUBLIC OF AUSTRALIA MODEL VOTE
SELECT YOUR MODEL FOR AN AUSTRALIAN HEAD OF STATE
Republic Earth’s third vote is for citizens to select their prefered model for a Republic of Australia. In Australia it is the Australian people who decide our governments of the day and our prime ministers via democratically held elections. Queen Elizabeth II, our British Head of State, does not decide our governments or our prime ministers – it is the Australian people. Thus, in reality, the sovereignty of the nation is already in the hands of the Australian people and thus Australia is arguably a republic in all but name; however, officially Australia is still a constitutional monarchy whereby the sovereignty of the nation still resides with the English monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.
The aim of this vote is to encourage people to support the campaign for Australia to become a Republic of Australia and work out which model for an Australian Head of State is the preferred option. The key focus is to have an Australian Head of State, as it seems unacceptable for an English monarch to be Australia’s Head of State in the 21st century. Currently, Australia has three political institutions or leaders that fill the hierarchy of our political system. At the top we have our Head of State, our Queen of Australia, currently being filled by Queen Elizabeth II. Next in line is the Governor-General of Australia, currently being filled by Governor-General Peter Cosgrove. Finally, we have the Prime Minister of Australia, currently being filled by Prime Minister Tony Abbott. For most republicans the fact that at the top of Australia’s political system there is an English Head of State is totally unacceptable, so we should always ask, ‘What do we want of our head of state?’. This Republic of Australia vote allows citizens to choose which model they prefer as the model Australia should adopt for an Australian Head of State.
Vote 3 was nominated by RE Circle 1: Headed by Republic Earth Co-Founder & inaugural Republic Earth Candidate Daniel White. Vote 3 is the first idea to be deemed a ‘star’ democratic idea. (RE-STAR01/2014)
MODEL 1: PARLIAMENTARY ELECT MODEL
Received: 22 VOTES (As at 19/12/16)
This model is supported by former Prime Minister Paul Keating & was the model used in the Australian Republican Referendum of 1999. A new President of Australia would become our Head of State after being elected by a joint sitting of Federal Parliament and play a similar ceremonial role to our current Governor General.
Do you support the PARLIAMENTARY ELECT MODEL for a Republic of Australia?
PRESIDENT OF AUSTRALIA – HEAD OF STATE – Elected by the Australian Parliament
PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA – HEAD OF GOVERNMENT – Elected by the Australian People
*Italy, Greece, Israel & India use this model for their Republics
MODEL 2: DIRECT ELECTION MODEL
Received: 43 VOTES (As at 19/12/16)
This model for many years has been the preferred choice of many Australians. A new President of Australia would become our Head of State after being directly elected by the Australian people and play a similar ceremonial role to our current Governor General.
Do you support the DIRECT ELECTION MODEL for a Republic of Australia?
PRESIDENT OF AUSTRALIA – HEAD OF STATE – Elected by the Australian People
PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA – HEAD OF GOVERNMENT – Elected by the Australian People
*Ireland, Finland & Singapore use this model for their Republics
MODEL 3: GOVERNOR GENERAL MODEL
Received: 9 VOTES (As at 19/12/16)
This model is supported by former Premier of New South Wales Bob Carr and was developed by former Governor Robert McGarvie. Our current Governor General would become our Head of State and would continue to play a ceremonial role and continue to be appointed by the Prime Minister of Australia.
Do you support the GOVERNOR GENERAL MODEL for a Republic of Australia?
GOVERNOR GENERAL – HEAD OF STATE – Elected by the Prime Minister
PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA – HEAD OF GOVERNMENT – Elected by the Australian People
MODEL 4: DIRECTLY ELECT – COMMONWEALTH PRESIDENTIAL COUNCIL MODEL
Received: 9 VOTES (As at 14/08/15)
This model is supported and created by Brendan Whitehouse – LFAR NSW Grassroots Convenor. A new President of Australia would become our Head of State after being directly elected by the Australian people and play a similar ceremonial role to our current Governor General. A new Commonwealth Presidential Council (CPC) will be created. Chairing the CPC will be the President of Australia, directly elected for a six year term. Sitting along with them will be 6 Deputy Presidents and two Territorial Administrators, each of who are elected alongside the President by their representative state or Territories. These Deputy Presidents and Commonwealth Administrators will replace the State Governors and the Territory Administrators, meaning that the ACT and the External Territories will now have their own elected Administrator at a Presidential Level. The Presidency would have a new role in the constitution, in that they can appoint Presidential Commissions of Enquiry and set its terms of reference without the consent of the Government if the Council Votes in favour by a majority. This would be a way that the Presidency while maintaining an independence from Parliament could keep a dishonest government in check.
Do you support the DIRECTLY ELECT – COMMONWEALTH PRESIDENTIAL COUNCIL MODEL for a Republic of Australia?
PRESIDENT OF AUSTRALIA – HEAD OF STATE** – Elected by the Australian People
PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA – HEAD OF GOVERNMENT – Elected by the Australian People
**Includes creation of a Commonwealth Presidential Council
MODEL 5: AN ABORIGINAL & AUSTRALIAN REPUBLIC MODEL
Received: 18 VOTES (As at 06/07/15)
This model is proposed by Dr Gregory Phillips, a Waanyi and Jaru Aboriginal person, and leading republican, social researcher and author. Affirming that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are the custodians of 60,000 years of human history, governance and sustainability, this model draws on that unique knowledge to build an Australia that is the world leader in sustainability, respect and freedom. It places this knowledge at the forefront of the polity by having a directly elected President in a ceremonial role for six year terms. For every second term, the position must be held by an elected Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person (elected by all Australians). The national parliament will continue to operate with an elected Prime Minister (four year terms), and each political party must guarantee 10% of their seats are held by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander politicians. There will be a constitutionally protected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative body, and parliament must refer any legislation related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to it for negotiation and joint decision-making. There will be a national trust fund where all mining royalties will be directed, 25% of which will be reserved for management by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples for the advancement of culture and identity. Legislation and commissions for human rights, sustainability, and citizen participation in governance will be enshrined in the constitution. There will be a new flag and national anthem, reflecting both Aboriginal and Australian symbolism.
Do you support the AN ABORIGINAL & AUSTRALIAN REPUBLIC MODEL for a Republic of Australia?
PRESIDENT OF AUSTRALIA – HEAD OF STATE – Elected by the Australian People
PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA – HEAD OF GOVERNMENT – Elected by the Australian People
MODEL 6: DEMOCRACY MODEL
Received: 16 VOTES (As at 14/08/15)
This model is supported and created by Daniel White – LFAR National Grassroots Convenor. A new President of Australia would become our Head of State after being a directly elected by the Australian people and play a similar ceremonial role to our current Governor General. The President of Australia would also have an added role of advancing the principal of democracy both in Australia and around the world and become the “People’s President”. A new Head of the Indigenous Peoples leader would also be created after being directly elected by the Australian people and play a role of advancing the interests of indigenous peoples both in Australia and around the world.
Do you support the DEMOCRACY MODEL for a Republic of Australia?
PRESIDENT OF AUSTRALIA – HEAD OF STATE – Elected by the Australian People
HEAD OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES – Elected by the Australian People
PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA – HEAD OF GOVERNMENT – Elected by the Australian People
MODEL 7: 50-50 MODEL
Received: 87 VOTES (As at 19/12/16)
This model is supported and created by Anthony Cianflone – LFAR Grassroots Member. A new President of Australia would become our Head of State after being elected under a 50-50 model i.e. 50 per cent of the vote would be elected by the Australian people and 50 per cent of the vote would be elected by a joint sitting of the Australian Parliament. The President of Australia would play a similar ceremonial role to our current Governor General. However under the 50-50 model the President would be more than just a ceremonial figure. The vision is for the Australian President to act as Australia’s ‘Social Conscience and Moral Compass’. The President would have the capacity to influence and campaign on non-partisan issues such as Aboriginal Policy, Veterans’ Affairs, Education, Health, Environment, Human Rights, Multiculturalism, Domestic Violence, Homelessness, Poverty, Disabilities, Youth, Women, Arts, Tourism, Families, Older Australians and Sport. Whilst not having the power to veto bills, prior to providing Presidential ascent, the Constitution could allow for the President to review and seek further clarification, and information on bills from the Parliament based on a ‘Social and Moral Conscience Charter’. The President’s annual ‘State of the Nation’ Address’ to Parliament would provide one of the key formal mechanisms for the President to relay to Parliamentarians the priorities and expectation of Australians in relation to the non-partisan issues, and help improve the quality and consistency of policy reforms, parliamentary debates and community outcomes over the lifetime of different governments.
Do you support the 50-50 MODEL for a Republic of Australia?
PRESIDENT OF AUSTRALIA – HEAD OF STATE – Elected 50 per cent by the Australian Parliament and 50 per cent by the Australian People
PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA – HEAD OF GOVERNMENT – Elected by the Australian People
MODEL 8: COPERNICAN MODEL
Received: 5 VOTES (As at 19/12/16)
This model has been proposed independently by many people and presented here by Robert Vose. A new President of Australia would become our Head of State after being directly elected by the Australian people. The new President replaces the Queen in the Constitution, and would play a ceremonial role. The institutions of Governor General and state governor would remain unaltered and they would continue to play the same administrative role as present and hold the reserve powers.
Do you support the COPERNICAN MODEL for a Republic of Australia?
PRESIDENT OF AUSTRALIA – HEAD OF STATE – Elected by the Australian People
GOVERNOR GENERAL – Appointed by the Head of State, on the advice of the Prime Minister (same as existing system).
PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA – Appointed by the Governor General, due to having the confidence of the elected Parliament (same as existing system).