Thread: Should Australia be a Republic?

One of the problems you are going to have to face with a poll like this is that like most Australians, Woodworkers don't care.

What impact will it have on me? None.

So why would I care?

Cheers,

P

We have a system that works well and resolves disputes without the civil wars so beloved in many areas of the world - remember Whitlam's dismissal all those years ago?

We don't need the Queen and the British Monarchy is an embarrassment. I'd like to see us a republic.
However, the new system must be better than the existing or at least no worse. This is why most Australian's voted against Howard's phoney republic a few years back.

Should we have a popularly elected president?
If he's got no real power, he doesn't need to be elected.
If he's got real power, the very person likely to run for election is the very wrong sort of person we want in the job.

See, there are some good things about the current system, apart from the fact that it's a fascinating anaconism and gives foreigners something else to find confusing about Australia (surely an honourable objective in itself). Who would have thought Hayden would make a good Gov Gen, but he did. The current incumbent isn't too bad either.

But personally, I'd like to see Christopha in charge ... as long as his chief advisor is Zenwood and he doesn't have the power to over rule his chief advisor.

Richard

Originally Posted by Daddles

Should we have a popularly elected president?
If he's got no real power, he doesn't need to be elected.
If he's got real power, the very person likely to run for election is the very wrong sort of person we want in the job.

And one selected by the polies themselves as was moted would be even worse

Originally Posted by Daddles

But personally, I'd like to see Christopha in charge

Shhh he thinks he is , don't tell him he's not or he'll get all stroppy again.

Well said Daddles.

Al

If we have to vote for the Pres then we'll end up with Eddie McGuire.

The GG is appointed by the Prime Minister. If the powers of the pres are the same as the GG, I say let the PM appoint the Pres

Originally Posted by Grunt

If we have to vote for the Pres then we'll end up with Eddie McGuire.

Or Lisa McCune!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Cheers,

P

And then eventually, after many years of being the bridesmaid, John Woods will finally get the gong.

Originally Posted by Felder

And then eventually, after many years of being the bridesmaid, John Woods will finally get the gong.

But only if he wears a white gown

Richard

I voted no. I can't see where the change will create any improvement over our existing system, and if it aint broke...don't fix it.

I don't care.

The sooner we dump the royal misfits the better. Trouble is no-one will ever agree on what sort of republic we should have.
If I had my drutthers I'd prefer a benign dictator. Like say, Gumby. Or Cartman.

Originally Posted by Buzzer

I don't care.

G'day Buzz. That whats what most americans say and look what they got.

Am I the only one smelling a rat (cat?) here?

While the level of debate on this topic remains at this standard we deserve whatever we get.

How on earth can anyone even joke about entertainers going into politics. They're already sticking their uninformed noses into too many areas that need rational and informed discussion.

The basic premise of changing to a Republic or any other system should be based on agreement and knowledge of the alternatives. Until we have both of those in place any move to change our present setup should be resisted.

You may not like what we have but it does work, and has worked, for over a century - longer elsewhere.