Monarchism in Australia
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Monarchism in Australia is a movement supporting the continuation of the Australian monarchy, as opposed to republicanism. The largest monarchist organisations in the country are the Australian Monarchist League and the Australians for Constitutional Monarchy.[citation needed]
History
[edit]Monarchism has existed in Australia since before Federation.[1] In 1867 it was suggested that Australia should have its own resident monarch in the event that Australia became an independent country.[1][2]
Arguments
[edit]A Unifying and Unbiased Head of State
[edit]This argument posits that Heads of State should be non-politically aligned and be the masthead of the nation without any political connotations, which the whole populous can rally behind and support. The Head of State should be an advisor on and advocate for all issues of national interest, usually on national image, long-term systemic and structural geo-socio-political issues, national defence and security, amongst many others.
If a republican system were to be introduced, like the one proposed by the Australian Republic Movement (ARM) at the 1999 referendum, then, in order to be elected as President of the nation, it would require that candidates align with a party, as it would be impossible to win any vote without political entanglement. Furthermore, there would be regular elections for the Head of State, and therefore the Head of State would not make decisions based on what is right for the nation, but what is popular for re-election.
Without the issues of re-elections and political alignment, it permits the Head of State to be a unifying and unbiased figure who embodies the nation, and attends to issues of national interest, rather than those of personal interest (such as getting re-elected).
Constitutional Monarchies are statistically the most successful form of Governance, due to the separation of internal and external matters, and the separation of democracy and unity.[citation needed]
Historical Importance
[edit]This argument posits that the British Monarchy has been in Australia ever since the First Fleet in 1788, and since Federation in 1901, and the removal of the Monarch as the Head of State would be a destabilising and unnecessary action.
Types of monarchism
[edit]Monarchism that supports Australia continuing to share a monarch with the United Kingdom (status quo monarchism)
[edit]By far the most prominent form of monarchism in Australia is status quo monarchism. Status quo monarchists support the continuation of the Australian monarchy with Australia continuing to share a monarch with the United Kingdom and with the monarch continuing to be represented by a governor general. Both the Australian Monarchist league and Australians for Constitutional Monarchy support this position.
Monarchism that supports Australia having a resident Australian monarch (alternative monarchism)
[edit]A far less prominent form of monarchism in Australia is alternative monarchism. Alternative monarchists support Australia having a resident Australian monarch and abolishing the role of governor general of Australia. The proposition was first published in 1867.[1][2] It was later reiterated by Alan Atkinson in his 1993 book The Muddle Headed Republic,[3] by Harry Meklonian in 2009,[4] and by Richard Hughes in 2017.[5] In a similar vein, Waleed Aly suggested in 2022 replacing the monarch with a life appointed Indigenous "First Elder".[6] Another possibility would be to crown someone in the line of succession to the Australian throne, but who is not expected to become monarch by the present rules of succession.[4]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Davidson, Jim (5 June 2012). "The lost option". Griffith Review.
- 1 2 "The Lost Option. Australia and the British Monarchy". YouTube. 27 May 2012.
- ↑ Irving, Helen (1997), "Republicanism and Citizenship", in Galligan, Brian; McAllister, Ian; Ravenhill, John (eds.), New Developments in Australian Politics, Macmillan Education Australia, p. 135, ISBN 9780732943042, retrieved 9 May 2023
- 1 2 Melkonian, Harry (13 November 2009), "A novel solution to the republican debate", The Sydney Morning Herald, retrieved 9 May 2023
- ↑ Hughes, Richard (1 December 2017), "Call me old-fashioned, but Prince Harry wouldn't be a bad monarch Down Under", The Sydney Morning Herald, retrieved 9 May 2023
- ↑ Aly, Waleed (22 September 2022). "Forget a president – here's another idea". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
General references
[edit]- Peterson-Ward, Jennifer (28 January 2016). "Shifting public opinion towards the monarchy in Australia". The University of Sydney. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- Voltz, Alexander (2 January 2023). "Monarchist League issues ultimatum on the Voice". The Spectator.
- "New poll suggests Australians do not want to ditch the monarchy | 9 News Australia". YouTube. 20 September 2022.
- Michael Kirby, A Defence of Constitutional Monarchy
- Patrick, Aaron (2 May 2023). "Liberals love the monarchy, and it could destroy them". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- Barwick, Garfield (1982). The Monarchy in an Independent Australia. Sir Robert Menzies Lecture Trust. ISBN 095921691X. NLA Bibid: 530184.
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