IT’S TIME FOR AN AUSTRALIAN HEAD OF STATE POLITICS IN THE PUB, CLYDE HOTEL

Good evening, firstly I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet and pay my respects to their elders both past and present.

 

Is Australia an independent nation and if so, when did Australia become independent of England?

 

For most nations this is a pretty simple yes/no question, but for modern Australia this is not a simple question.

 

In Australia this question will often elicit various responses. Most will say Australia is an independent nation but will give different answers for the date which we gained our independence. Some may proffer that it occurred at federation at 1901, others may point to cultural independence borne out of events such as the Anzacs landing at Gallipoli. And the lawyers amongst us might go for the black and white interpretation of independence with the passing of the statue of Westminster in 1931 or the formal adoption of the Australian acts in 1986.

 

In practice Australia is very much an independent nation. We elect our own representatives and govern ourselves. We have developed a unique culture and identity based on the values of democracy, equality and merit. We feel like we are our own people and masters of our nation’s destiny. But if you pick up a copy of the Australian Constitution and read it, you immediately get the sense that Australia is not independent at all.

 

The Australian Constitution does not reflect modern Australia – who we are, all that we have achieved and the values that made our nation and its people so great.

 

The first paragraph of our Constitution speaks of an indissoluble Commonwealth under the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The next paragraph speaks of colonies and possessions of the Queen before going on to define the Queen as extending to her majesties heirs and successors in the sovereignty of the United Kingdom.

 

The holders of decision making power in modern Australia, the Prime Minister and Cabinet are not mentioned in our Constitution. The Queen by contrast is mentioned forty seven times and her representative, the Governor General, sixty five times.

 

The Australian Constitution does not reflect Australia.

 

Our Constitution does not reflect the Australian people.

 

Australia has the oldest continuing culture in the world in our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This should be a source of pride and celebration but the first Australians are only mentioned punitively in our founding document. Australia is also the most successful multicultural nation in the world but you would never know this if you read our Constitution.

 

The Australian Constitution does not reflect core Australian values.

 

Central to the Australian DNA is the principle that all people are born equal and that advancement should be based upon meritocracy and democracy. The notion of handing down privilege via lineage is alien to the characteristic of the fair go. We tell our children if you work hard you can achieve anything in Australia but this is not true because no Australian child can aspire to be our nation’s Head of State.

 

The Australian Constitution does not reflect our modern system of governing and decision making.

 

In the Australian democracy at all levels of government, the power to make decisions on behalf of the Australian people is not determined by birthright but by the votes of our citizens. Hereditary monarchy is the complete antithesis of how we govern ourselves.

 

It’s time we had a serious discussion about reforming our Constitution to reflect who we are- proud, independent, multicultural and democratic. 

 

It’s time for an Australian as our Head of State.

We should have an Australian as our Head of State to represent our confidence, independence and the achievements of the Australian people.

 

An Australian Head of State should be chosen by Australians to represent Australian values like mateship, equality and the fair go.

 

Discussing and voting on an Australian Head of State will not divert government attention from other important issues and focus on the livelihoods of Australians. We are mature enough to discuss having one of our own as our head of state at the same time.

 

We should not forget our history and our achievements but we should also not be afraid to grow and create a truly independent Australia.

 

You and every other Australian of your generation should be able to aspire to be our nation’s head of state. You and your generation will have the biggest role in making that change a success.

 

Young Australian’s are the key to the success of the next referendum on an Australian republic. Many young Australian’s believe their parents generation got it wrong in 1999 and want to make sure we get it right the next time we consult the people about an Australian Head of State.

It is your generation of Australians that we need to convince to make this reform a success. It is your generation of Australians that we need to mobilise and activate if we are going to modernise our Constitution.

 

Today I am asking you to commit to being part of this generational change for Constitutional reform.

 

I am asking you to commit to getting on-board the campaigning for an Australian Head of State.

 

I am asking you to commit to holding an event at your university, or in your community.

 

I am asking you to begin discussing the importance of this reform in the workplace, with your family and friends and with your community.

 

I am asking you to become a member of the Australian Republic Movement and encourage as many family members and friends to get on-board.

 

I hope the coming of age of your generation since the last Republic referendum and your activation and involvement in this important campaign will help Australia out in delivering an Australian Head of State. 

 

Thank you.