Copernican Model Overview
Robert Vose has submitted the following summary of Copernican Models for a republic to the Australia 2020 Summit. The opinions expressed are his.
Archive for Seeking opinion
State Constitutions
The view of the Copernican Group is that the States have an important role in the Australian federation and models developed by the group readily address the issue of how a State should break its ties with the monarchy.
The following background speech was given to the Third Republican Gathering in Brisbane on 5th November 2006 by David Latimer, in response to the session on “Should the States play a role in moving towards a republic and if so, what steps can be taken.”
President’s Day
If a republic is established, what will happen to the Queen’s Birthday long weekend? Even though ancillary to republicanism, it is important that republicans have an answer.
At the Third Republican Gathering in Brisbane on 5th November 2006, leading the session on “National Day of Celebration”, David Latimer provided background and various approaches. The following is based upon his notes and preparation for that session.
Nomination and Selection Questions
From the 2004 Senate Inquiry into an Australian Republic Discussion paper:
One of the most critical and complex issues is the method for selecting the head of state. One view is that direct election of a head of state would give the people a say in who would represent them as head of state.
Term, Removal and Vacancy
The following points and questions about the term of office, removal and casual vacancy of a republican Head of State are taken from the 2004 Senate Inquiry into an Australian Republic Discussion paper:
Title of Head of State
From the 2004 Senate Inquiry into an Australian Republic Discussion paper:
The term President seemed to gain wide usage during the debates surrounding the 1999 referendum and is used very widely around the world, but suggests a major departure from the existing system of government. What should the Head of State be called? Governor-General, President of the Commonwealth of Australia, or some other title?
A process for moving towards an Australian republic
From the 2004 Senate Inquiry into an Australian Republic Discussion paper:
Since a referendum is required to change the Constitution, one option is to simply move to a referendum (as has usually been the case with earlier attempts to amend the Constitution). Most republic models have suggested a plebiscite (that is, a non-binding indicative national vote) prior to the referendum, to test the Australian people’s preparedness to accept the idea of a republic (by a simple “yes/no” vote).
