Wednesday 24th of April 2024
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I myself malcolmus republicus is waiting for the old banana to wilt...

malcolm bananas

 

"With great respect to those who don't share my views and recognising our proud history of European settlement in this country and beyond, over 200 years and more, I will lend my voice to the republican movement in this country," General Morrison said in his acceptance speech on Monday night.

"It is time, I think, to at least revisit the question so that we can stand both free and fully independent amongst the community of nations."

Although he acknowledged this would be controversial, General Morrison said it was time to restart the national conversation about a republic 16 years after the defeat of the 1999 referendum. 

In his first major comments on the republic since the issue flared, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said there was "no doubt" another referendum would take place but "the timing of that referendum has to be right".

"I have led a yes case for a republic into a heroic defeat once. I have no desire to do so again," he said. "If you really are committed to Australia becoming a republic, then you want to be sure that the manner and the timing of the referendum is as such that it is successful and that it unites rather than divides Australians."

Mr Turnbull said a referendum would fail if it was seen to be politically driven.

"To get momentum - and frankly there was more momentum in the late 90s than there is now - it needs to have grassroots support."

General Morrison, who famously told officers who disrespect women to "get out" of the army, has been a member of the Australian Republican Movement for about five months. 

Mr FitzSimons said General Morrison would be a "boon" for the republican cause this year.

"I was doing cartwheels - it was just fantastic," Mr FitzSimons said of his appointment. 

"It is great to call him one of our own."

Mr FitzSimons said General Morrison, who led the army from June 2011 to May 2015, was the type of person Australians would be proud to have as their head of state.

"He would make an outstanding president or governor-general," Mr FitzSimons said. 

"I deeply admire him and the great service he has given our country."

Mr FitzSimons personally favours a minimalist republican model in which the prime minister selects Australia's head of state with the approval of the Parliament.

He said General Morrison's appointment had capped off an "extraordinary" day for the republican movement, which received front page coverage around the country by convincing seven of the eight premiers and chief ministers to sign a pledge affirming their support for an Australian republic. The movement has quadrupled its membership over the past year, he said, with Mr Turnbull's arrival as Prime Minister also boosting the cause.

Mr Turnbull said he believes Australia will not move towards a republic until after Queen Elizabeth II has died.

 

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/david-morrison-would-make-excellent-president-of-an-australian-republic-peter-fitzsimons-20160125-gmdw26.html

 

a long time between drinks...

 

All but one of Australia's state premiers and chief ministers have signed a declaration calling for an Australian head of state, in a move the Australian Republican Movement says points to "the dawn of a new republican age".

Key points:
  • WA's Colin Barnett only state leader not to sign declaration
  • Petition supporting move signed by 4,000 people
  • Peter FitzSimons says referendum or plebiscite needed
  • Monarchist League says move based on "will of politicians"

 

WA's Colin Barnett was the only state leader not to lend his name to the statement, which declares: "We, the undersigned premiers and chief ministers of Australia, believe that Australians should have an Australian as our head of state."

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, himself a staunch republican, has released a statement through his office saying his "commitment to Australia having an Australian as head of state is undiminished".

Mr Turnbull has previously said that a fresh referendum would be unlikely before the end of the Queen's reign.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-25/premiers-unite-for-an-australian-head-of-state/7110632

 

It would be more honourable for Australia to become a Republic before the Queen goes to better pastures. Waiting "for her to die" is the coward option — and won't change anything. Contrarily to ABC that mentioned that the Republican idea for Australia started 20 years ago in its news bulletin last night, the Republican concept for this country started more than 120 years ago, way before "Federation". 

 

not the welfare of veterans...

Anger is growing in the veterans' community over the appointment of former Army Chief David Morrison as Australian of the Year.

Some veterans have accused the retired Lieutenant General of turning his back on Defence personnel, and an online petition is now calling on him to consider resigning his new position.

Petition author and former soldier Geoff Shafran said he was appalled to hear General Morrison nominate a republic as a priority after winning his award, but not the welfare of veterans.

"When you can get on at an Australia Day speech and discuss the republic and not allude to veterans' issues when he had, I think it's 13, soldiers who were actually killed overseas while he was Chief of Army, it's just turning your back on these people — the ones who have come back and are suffering mental and physical issues," Mr Shafran said.

"There is something that is really quite sickening about that."

 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-29/david-morrison-war-veterans-upset-with-australian-of-the-year/7125952

 

even the daily telegraph...

DT