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Kate Blake

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Australia should become a Republic?

For those with scant knowledge of Australian history and politics, tomorrow is what the 'settlers' call Australia Day where we actually celebrate England's invasion of Indigenous Australia. Where they genocided many, wiped out many aspects of culture and languages of the native Australians who had been here for centuries.

And this day often raises this debate. As an English colony we were, and still are, governed by English law eg Kerr's sacking of Whitlam. British law is deferred to when Australian law doesn't give people want they want.

ALthough Brits have joined the European Economy and severed most ties with us, Australians still defer to the English royalty, consatnly in our news, and their way of life.

When will we ever 'come of age' to ween our independence from this colonial overlord? What will it take for this nation to realise that we can and should stand on our two feet without deferring to any other nation?

Our flag is also another hot issue but I will open another debate for it as I think the two are similar but quite searate issues.

Topics: coming of age independence national pride
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Closing Statement from Kate Blake

Thanks for a good debate!

A couple of people are reluctant to cut the umbilical cord. Two of us agree a constitutional change is needed. A couple of US citizens seem concerned we might become more like them if we make such a change. Whilst there is further comment on this topic under my debate 'Australia should have a new Flag' that ran at the same time.

I highlighted the need to address the very insidious and subtle racism and sexism that flourishes in Aus. We have become masters at avoiding the issue or dealing with our shortcomings in a constructive manner. Would still greatly appreciate anyone's input on how to do this, other than becoming a republic and changing our flag in an endeavour to recognise and respect the input of others ...

Much thanks TED.

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    Morgan Barnes

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    Jan 29 2013: Thing is I don't believe it will change anything really except pull a lot of money out of the coffers for the Government to rebadge everything as they say in the classics "she'll be right mate" Like it or not we will still be a Commonwealth Nation and as we are looked on as mainly independant anyway who cares most Australians don't that's why the Republican issue fails all the time.As for the flag leave it alone if your that worried about it, get them to do what they do now and fly both the Australian and Aboriginal flag.

    PS: If you do change it can you change that Bl**dy awful national anthem at the same time please
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      Kate Blake 50+

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      Jan 29 2013: Hi Morgan seems we have a difference of opinion - except about the national anthem that nobody remembers the words of.

      Yes, we are essentially independent and name changes cost a lot but how do we effectively address the 'isms here in Aus? You would be aware that sexism and racism are rife. Sure we have EEO but that makes the prejuidice take an even more subtle form and that is insidious.

      Wonder of wonder how many years has it taken to fly those two flags together? First time ever the other day, that's about 220+ years ....
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        Morgan Barnes

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        Jan 29 2013: Becoming a Republic won't change sexism and racism Kate and to be honest I don't think anyone will ever agree on what a new flag should look like maybe we should just use the boxing kangaroo nice and neutral.

        I think we have grown too fast and been too lax on immigration requirements the focus has been on that, and not where it has been needed most, here at home.

        We should of addressed the problems we have here with the indignous population and a better education program for us white fella's to understand how the black fella's feel about this country.

        What we have done to the Koori over the years is unforgivable I agree. It seems we took all the worst of all the unacceptable and repressive traits that the whites all over the world have done to the black communities and manifested them here. Instead of learning and understanding, while allowing in a lot of ways, of being more accepting of immigrants from other countries than of our own community

        .But becoming a Republic won't change that and i'm not really sure what will. I think, what most people are afraid of is loosing the identity we have and the tenous hold we have on it as multiculturalism creeps further forward.

        Interested to see what yourself and others think.
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          Kate Blake 50+

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          Jan 29 2013: Good points Morgan, guess I am fishing for solutions. I've been away for nine years and coming home the prejuidices have slapped me in the face. Guess when I lived here I was reasonably aware but more complacent. Now I feel the need to bring these issues into discussion instead of pretending that they don't exist.

          Know you are probably subjected to subtle sexism working in a mainly male environment, I certainly was when I was in middle managment for a commonwealth dept. - ah that word again. You need to be twice as good as the men and sacrifice your feminity just to become one af the boys ...
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        Morgan Barnes

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        Jan 29 2013: Gotten worse in the Fed Gov. since you've been away Kate not enough experience in the field and too much emphasis on straight out of UNI types with risk analysis skills which is fine but have the experience and know how to do the job in the dept your in first.
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    edward long 100+

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    Jan 29 2013: Without tradition our lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof. What harm comes from traditions so long as you are not oppressed, or unwillingly controlled by them? We Yanks really needed to declare or independence and form a more perfect union. Is that true there? Would England invade you to stop such action? If yes then you do need to do it. I doubt you would be treated like Argentina was over the Falkland Island debacle, or like we Americans were. They might not even notice.
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      Kate Blake 50+

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      Jan 29 2013: AM quite sure they wouldn't even notice Edward - unless we didn't follow them into a war! Then there would be a huge outcry ...
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    peter lindsay 30+

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    Jan 29 2013: My only concern is that severing ties with Britain will sever ties with the cultural heritage of a substantial part of the population. In other countries this has resulted in the manufacturing of artificial culture. Also I think we put way too much import on the concept of Australia. Australia is afterall a political construct that just happens to occupy a large chunk of land off the south coast of Asia. The large chunk of land has existed for aeons and had many names. Australia day is a celebration of the forming of a political entity, nothing more. The current flag does an acceptable job of representing the political entity, it really has no meaning regarding the chunk of land. I am a citizen of the political entity.
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      Kate Blake 50+

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      Jan 29 2013: Severing ties with the cultural heritage? My grandmother was English, I have relatives over there and have lived and worked in London - if my cultural heritage were that fragile then it's best forgotten.

      What about recognition for the original landowners? For the many migrants and refugees who make this 'political entity' what it is today? Would acknowledgement of them create a 'manufactured artifical culture'? What does that mean? You say they exist in other countries, can you give me an example please?

      These cultural ties of the commonwealth and the royal family - of what benefit are they to your island?
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        peter lindsay 30+

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        Jan 29 2013: " You say they exist in other countries, can you give me an example please?" The US. The vast majority of the "history" of the US is manufactured. They deify past presidents and famous scientists etc based on accounts that are entirely fictitious. eg Edison, Lincoln

        "These cultural ties of the commonwealth and the royal family - of what benefit are they to your island?" It diffuses the power of the federal government slightly so we don't end up treating the PM as quasi royalty like the POTUS is treated. The main thing is that I don't see the downside of having a figurehead as the head of state.
        Also I'm all for recognising the original custodians of the land and the cultures of all inhabitants but I fail to see how becoming a republic will help them.
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          Kate Blake 50+

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          Jan 29 2013: Thanks Peter, no we don't want to manufacture our history like the US does but every nation distorts their angle. Don't see US President being treated as a quasi royal?

          As I asked Morgan above how would you address this integration, not just recognition, of those who contribute to your political entity? How do we address the 'ism's that the EEO has ensured are just more subtle and insidious? You can shoot my ideas down but I'd be most grateful for any alternative solutions you can suggest?

  • Tom Preusser

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    Jan 28 2013: I am a little confused about your concerns here because I just read the book - The Measure of a Nation - and Australia along with Canada both looked a lot better than the US.
    Better and more effective health care - Less violence and crime - Better education and literacy - Democratic processes and politics that actually work well - Better social mobility and more of a meritocracy that the US had once but is losing.
    I may be missing something but it looks like Australia is not broke - so what are you trying to fix?
    When you say republic I think representative government versus a true democracy where citizens take a more direct role. The US "republic" is broke and tainted by money, special interests, corruption, and a political elite that likes it that way and are therefore resistant to change. We would do well to copy some of the things Australia - and Canada are doing.
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      Kate Blake 50+

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      Jan 28 2013: Tom I totally agree we, and Canada, are sitting pretty well right now. And our health care is far more effective than most, especially US from what I hear.

      The US republic that you refer to is a party, is it not? We definitely don't want a system anything like yours for elections, taxation, government process, etc. I am talking of a long overdue separation from UK, an untying of the apron strings. We still defer to them ultimately if things don't go as some wish. Their queen is still on ALL our coins.

      We need a new flag and a change of consitution to recognise this coming of age, this ability that we can do very well by ourselves thank you. We do not need to defer to royality or UK law, being part of this commonwealth has not been of any use to us in performing so well now. We are doing very well as a nation in our own right and a new consitution and flag would reflect/acknowledge that.

      I think this 'change' is better to come in a time of prosperity than when things have gone turkey,
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    Muhammad Aizat Zainal Alam 30+

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    TED Translator
    Jan 27 2013: Should Australia become a republic, how much change will it bring? And would that be profitable to the nation?
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      Kate Blake 50+

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      Jan 27 2013: It would bring constitutional changes and a legal/mental separation that is much needed from the UK. Whilst clinging onto this 'commonwealth' thing is a real hinderance. To grow as a nation in every way we need to acknowledge not only the original land-owners but also the many many migrants and refugees from around the world that make our nation such a wonderous place.

      For Australia to become a nation in it's own right it needs to cut these unhealthy ties and move on ...
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    Mathew Naismith 10+

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    Jan 26 2013: G'day Kate

    Yep but it must coincide with the changing of the flag.

    Love
    Mathew
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      Kate Blake 50+

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      Jan 26 2013: Agreed Mathew, the two go together in my mind but I know many Republicans who want to keep the flag, and many royalists who want to change it. Hence I divided it into two debates.
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