Australian Constitutional Monarchy example essay topic

"This Year has seen the greatest celebration of Monarchy throughout the English speaking World. The Golden Jubilee of the reign of The Queen has been a tremendous success and indeed a worthy tribute to Her Majesty's immense popularity. Centred upon the United Kingdom but also observed in many Commonwealth countries, people around the Globe have united in recognition of fifty years and more of service and dedication unparalleled in the history of our Monarchy". Quote from a letter to the Australian Federal Parliment calling for a Jubilee Medal.

The great debate raging in Australian society is if we should abandon the Constitutional Monarchy, in place since Australian federation in 1901, or weather we should become a Republic. The debates are lengthy and simple. Should we, as a nation, become a Republic or not... The argument placed before us by the Australian Republican Movement and by all republicans alike is that Australia as a free democratic society needs an Australian Head of State. What they seem to be forgetting is that, even by their own omission, is that we already have a Australian Head of State. Is the Governor-General not Australian?

It seems that the Republican movement is contradicting it sef. The Govenor-General is and is recognised, as the Australian Head of State. Many nations and even the United Nations recognise this fact, as they do with Canada and New Zealand. Paul Keating stated that he believed that the Govenor-General was, effectively, the Head of State. Was not Paul Keating the same Prime Minister who drew up plans to change the constitution to become a Republic?

Mr Keating made this statement even though he was himself a Republican thus dismissing the major argument of the Australian Republican Movement. Prime Minister John Howard made also a similar statement about the Govenor-General calling him the Head of State all but in name. Numerous politicians and even members of the Australian Constitutional Monarchist Leauge have and will support the Govenor-General being made in effect the Australian Head of State under Her Majest Queen Elizabeth II. The Republican argument falls quickly apart when we consider the underlining factors. Many business persons support the Republican sentiment in order to grasp more power and hold on the Australian people. "Australia is one of the youngest nations in the World yet we are also one of the oldest democracies.

This is why so many migrants from oppressed republics strive to come here to enjoy democratic freedom. The Crown represents you the People and frustrates the ambitions of self interest. It guarantees our democracy and underwrites our liberty, so why are politicians and big business telling us we must become a Republic? Can it be that by removing the checks and balances that make our Constitution uniquely successful politicians and businessmen will enjoy greater power and unfettered control?" Quote from the Australian Constitutional Monarchist web site We need only look at the pages of history to see what the Republic institution can achieve. Leaders like Adolf Hitler, who a merged after the abdication of King Wilhelm II, Joseph Stalin of the USSR and many more Presidents of small former Monarchist nations. The oppressive behaviour of the Heads of State is common place in most republics.

In the 1999 referendum the Republicans lobbied extensively to keep the words "President" and "Republic" out of the ballot paper for fear of wide spread discontent and aiming at foolery. The overwhelming support for the present constitution and the widespread support of the Monarchy crushed the Republicans to the extent where they themselves declared the Republican idea "Dead". There is no obvious reason for the adoption of a new constitution nor that of a President. Obviously because we already for fill the criteria set out by the Republican reform. Why the would such a minority of self proclaimed voice of the wider community continue with their fruitless campaign for such a drastic change? Could it be that they have something to gain from such a change or that they are in fact anti-socialist anarchists determined to disrupt the undoubted success and appreciation of the most celebrated Monarchy in the world.

The clear and undisputed success of the Commonwealth of Australia which recognises the British Monarch as our sovereign and which has an Australian Head of State and is due to the constitution which is regarded as one of the most successful and individual constitutions of the world. The Australian Government is and always has been a stable and respected institution. It is strong and democratic. The Australian public has supported the Constitutional Monarchy and this is clear through the referendum and the strong support in the wider community.

We do not need to become a Republic. We have grown and developed over the past 200 years. We have an Australian an Governor-General chosen by the Government in power. The Republicans argue that Australia is not a true democracy because we do not elect our Head of State. Does that mean Australia is less of a democracy than Republics like Ireland, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, The Philippines and South Africa, all on the notion that they have an elected President. Hitler and Amin were elected Heads of State of their respective countries and they were born and raised there too.

The leadership of the USSR, North Korea and many of the Banana Republics have all been through a kind of Republican process, has this saved these nations from tyranny or dictatorship. The true, underlining question is in which system would one prefer to live? Australians, quite obviously, would recognise that they would rather enjoy the freedom that we possess under our Constitutional Monarchy than live in dictatorial Communist or unstable terrorist nations such as North Korea, the People's Republic of China, or Indonesia. "This is my thirteenth visit to Australia and I have seen the Australian economy change and develop dramatically since those early days of the 1950's.

Compared to some of those earlier tours the nation is enjoying a new era of prosperity. Australia has weathered the Asian financial crisis that afflicted so many of its neighbours and now has one of the fastest growing economies in the developed world. Information technology and the Dot. Com world are changing our lives, our work and the way we interact within and between countries - and will do so increasingly in the future. There is a clearly a sense of dynamism and confidence around". Speech by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth at the Sydney Opera House.

The region in which we live is literacy overflowing with failing Republics, who are the least tolerant of nations and which fail to recognise the basic and god given rights deemed humane. It is a fact that only the quality of the elected representitves and not the Constitution and Head of State that will determine what path we choose. To become a Republic will not solve problems that Republican's argue are rampant in our constitution, however, it will create many more serious problems seen through out the world's republics. Our system of a Constitutional Monarchy has served this country extremly well. Our country has grown and prospered from what are the most unlikely and unfavourable beginnings.

We have enjoyed a type of peace and harmony unparalleled in the world. Many hope and pray that we will continue to remain this way. It cannot be escaped the simple historical truth that the majority of early settlers who pioneered this country, explored it, and developed our modern society. They came here from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. It is British values and standards that underwrote Australia's development. Moreover, our early settlers brought with them our basic social and political institutions which have served us well for over two hundred years.

We, seen in the eye's of the majority of the Australian public, do not need to change our Constitutional system. Only evil can prevail from such a change. The Republican's admit that we have a Australian Head of State, The Govenor-General, yet they continue to argue that we require one, appointed by a two-thirds majority in parliment, that would bear the title President. The tyrannical leaders of our past and present world have all been Presidents or equivelant.

I continue to pray that the Australian Constitutional Monarchy will remain the same for another two centuries. If a Republic is inevitable or not I am uncertain, however, the day that this occurs will be a sad, sole day. The Republican use of hyperbole and misleading statements adds to their already disintegrated argument. It is time that the Republican's disintegrate like their argument.

I will serve my country to the death but a shall serve it with pride under the Monarchy. It is upto the Australian people to maintain our proud history. Let us not give into the politician or the corporate executive who wish to cease more power. Let us fight for the only democratic institution that is worth fighting for. Let us preserve the history and culture we inherited the the first pioneers.

Let us keep sacred the traditions which we know. This is what will save us from the Hitler's, Stalin's and Lenin's. This is what will keep us democratic and prosperous. "You can understand therefore that it was with the closest interest that I followed the debate leading up to the referendum held last year on the proposal to amend the Constitution. I have always made it clear that the future of the monarchy in Australia is an issue for you, the Australian people, and you alone to decide by democratic and constitutional means.

It should not be otherwise. As I said at the time, I respect and accept the outcome of the referendum. In the light of the result last November, I shall continue faithfully to serve as Queen of Australia under the Constitution to the very best of my ability, as I have tried to do for these past forty-eight years. It is my duty to seek to remain true to the interests of Australia and all Australians as we enter the twenty-first century.

That is my duty. It is also my privilege and my pleasure. I cannot forget that I was on my way to Australia when my father died. Since then and since I first stepped ashore here in Sydney in February 1954 I have felt part of this rugged, honest, creative land. I have shared in the joys and the sorrows, the challenges and the changes that have shaped this country's history over these past fifty years". Quote taken from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's speech at the Sydney Opera House 2000 And By the Grace of God Almighty God Save The Queen.