Governor-general designate Sam Mostyn would become the latest punching bag in the culture wars. But how will her Governor-Generalship compare to others past?
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When everything is seen as political – indictments, Supreme Court decisions, scientific findings – a democracy may be on its way to fascism.
May 9 is the date the first Australian parliament met, and when the first parliament in Canberra and the first on Capital Hill opened. It means far more than the King’s birthday, or January 26.
Historically, a monarch was far more involved in governing than they are today, as many of their duties are now ceremonial.
In the lead-up to the Voice to parliament referendum, we’re seeing constitutional change is possible. If the Voice is successful, Australia could next consider separating us from the monarchy.
As Charles is crowned King, maybe the time has come for Canada to reassess its connection with the British monarchy and become a republic.
A recent NSW Resolve poll gave Labor 43% of the primary vote, and the Coalition just 30%, though the major party leaders were tied for preferred premier.
While there is some tapering off of support for the Albanese government since the 2022 election, it is still comfortably ahead of the Coalition.
Albanese’s bid to change Australia’s constitutional arrangements has been pencilled in for a second term, assuming Labor gets one.
Why do government policies sometimes fail to reflect the public will? The answer begins with the design of the US government system, forged in the 18th century.
The biggest hurdle for republicans is the reality that Australia is already an independent nation. Only sentiment and inertia links us to the British crown.
Although he privately disapproved of Caesar’s power, Cicero publicly supported him and Cicero also directly contributed to the end of the Roman Republic and the reign of Caesar’s nephew Augustus.
The Australian Republic Movement wants to release a new model for an Australian head of state by the end of the year.
Republic backers need to make a huge dent in public opinion to get the progress they want. People should remember even Fergie’s ‘toe sucking’ incident didn’t bring down the monarchy in the 1990s.
President Trump’s impeachment defense that the will of the president is no different from the will of the state and the good of the people has echoes in the decline of ancient Rome’s democracy.
Bill Shorten is committed to an Australian head of state, but it will likely take lost priority to constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians.
Labor says if it wins office at the upcoming federal election, in its first term it will offer Australians a chance to vote to become a republic – but in a two-step voting process.
The Newspolls have been consistently worse for the Coalition since the
leadership change – before that Labor had been cut back to a narrow 51-49% lead.
The more undemocratic tendencies of the US electoral system are growing stronger. As the midterm campaign season enters its final stage, it turns out that some votes count more than others.
This model for an Australian republic aims to ensure the process of a choosing a head of state is democratic, but also that the dignity of the office is maintained.
Top contributors
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Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
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Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne
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Professor, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong
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Dennis Altman is a Friend of The Conversation.
VC Fellow, La Trobe University
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Director, Graduate School of Government, University of Sydney
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Dean Laureate and Professor of History, Victoria University
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Associate professor in Humanities, University of Southern Queensland
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Associate Professor, Australian National University
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Senior Lecturer in History, CQUniversity Australia
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Adjunct Research Fellow and Associate, Global and Engagement, National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth and Justice, Federation University Australia
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John Rennie Short is a Friend of The Conversation.
Professor Emeritus of Public Policy, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
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PhD Candidate in Government & International Relations, University of Sydney
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Associate Professor of Classics, College of the Holy Cross
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Professor of History, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University
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Emeritus Professor, Monash University
