On Australia becoming a republic
Paul Malcolm writes: Whether Australia should become a republic depends on defining the “problem” we are trying to fix and the proposed solution to fix it.
For all intents and purposes we have an Australian head of state; Charles is there in name and ceremony only. As it is, the system works well and we have stable governance.
If we want to remove Charles from the letterhead and simply make the governor-general the head of state while keeping the remainder of the structure and systems the same, go for it. While we are at it we can change Australia Day to coincide.
Advocates who seek to replace the governor-general with an elected president with yet-to-be-defined powers, nominally because they want an Australian head of state and remain upset by the Dismissal 50 years on, miss the point. Nobody wants a replica of the carnage evident in US politics.
The head of state should be apolitical with a simple brief: ensure the government of the day is abiding by the rules.
By the way, the Dismissal is a 50-year-old sideshow. John Kerr (a Whitlam nomination) made the decision, not Elizabeth. Furthermore, the majority of the Australian voters obviously were supportive, as they voted for Fraser in the subsequent election.
Pamela Bailey: I’m a long-time supporter of Australia becoming a republic. I find it difficult to accept that we have such an anachronistic limitation on our democracy. Why are such a high number of citizens so interested in the royals, who live on the other side of the world to us, who always put the UK ahead of Australia.
They arrived at their privileged position by an accident of birth, something which in another context would be abhorrent to most Australians.
Sometimes I think the UK will ditch the monarchy before we do. I wonder where the Windsors will live then
Julia Bovard: Very pleased to hear from our new governor-general.
We are now well into the 21st century but still retain formal ties with the British monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II was a monarch whose reign spanned a very large period of this nation’s history. The current royal family, despite Charles having spent time at school in Victoria, does not seem relevant to a multicultural and diverse developed independent society.
The government seems to be hiding from the republic issue. No doubt the current opposition would come up with some negative stalling tactic. To how many Australian citizens does the royal family seem relevant? From my personal view, the pageantry is spectacular, costs us nothing really, but serves little function.
On Joe Biden and Donald Trump
Steve Brennan writes: I think the final observation of Guy Rundle’s piece is true — systems can create their own conditions for extinction.
If four years as president has aged Biden so gravely, then you have to conclude he won’t survive another four years. And the debate pretty much confirmed that reality.
But as much as it’s bewildering that Trump is back as a serious contender to win, it’s also plain that the Democrats should rally behind Biden. Because what choice do they have but to show solidarity and campaign on his track record. After all he has an exemplary running mate in Kamala Harris.
Of course it’s a gift to Trump because he can mock Biden all the way through for being mentally handicapped — but this will wear thin after not too long.
God forbid if the Democrats lose, it will cast them into wilderness for many years to come I fear, as dictator Trump engineers a totalitarian regime that will totally destroy America, and possibly the entire world.
Tim Stephens writes: Well, after watching the debate, the choice for the Democratic Party is simple: find a non-controversial way to replace Biden or get ready to welcome President Trump. This decision was obvious 12 months ago so I suspect there is no-one in the party willing/able to do it.
Not sure if the world can survive four more years of radical instability, insanity and extreme right-wing fruit-battery (is that a word?).
The numbskulls at Sky after dark are going to have an absolute ball running and re-running Biden’s pathetic performance.
