Weatherill said he believed there was strong underlying support in Australia for a republic as there was in 1999 (when a republican referendum was comfortably defeated).
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Abbott was replaced in September by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who was chairman of the Australian Republican Movement at the time of the 1999 referendum.
“Australia is smart and mature enough to have a debate about having an Australian head of state”.
“This petition is calling for a republic which will be based on the will of politicians, which is evidenced by so many premiers and politicians supporting it”, the league’s national chair Philip Benwell said. Join the Australian Republican Movement, tell your friends, write to your parliamentarians, and let’s make this happen!
“On Australia Day a year ago, I urged us to breathe new life into the dream of an Australian Republic”. So how do we ensure that this obstacle is cleared, if not removed?
‘I encourage you on this day, Australia Day, to celebrate in an inclusive way and to demonstrate mutual respect and understanding of others, ‘ he said.
Deliberative democracy is a process devised in modern times in the early 1980s in the United States, which brings together samples of voters to learn about and discuss a particular issue. “The significance of this is, if you want the majority of people from the majority of states [to back a republic in a referendum], well, the premiers and chief ministers are behind you”. Her Majesty’s representative in Australia is the Governor-General Peter Cosgrove. And the tireless efforts of Sydney’s long-serving St Vincent’s Hospital ER director, Professor Gordian Fulde were recognised with him being named Senior Australian of The Year.
FitzSimons wants a plebiscite by 2020 asking if people want an Australian head of state.
Morrison, the former army chief who was recognised for gender equality, diversity and inclusion, used his Australian of the Year acceptance speech to rally support.
But, to the disappointment of many republicans, he has stated that there are more important issues at present.
U.S. deliberative democracy pioneer James Fishkin and his colleague Robert Luskin argue deliberative democracy “may make citizens more public spirited”.
“They are still a part of the Commonwealth of Nations”.
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“I don’t believe we have to wait for a change of monarch to renew the Republic debate”, he said. Mr FitzSimons said he favoured a minimalist approach requiring a relatively modest adjustment to the constitution ending the British monarch’s role as the head of the state. Business leaders like Alan Joyce, Ken Henry and Tony Shepherd have been as proud to stand with us, as we are to have them by our side, begging only they don’t step on the toes of Julia Gillard, Anna Bligh, Senator Nova Peris-Kneebone and Hugh Jackman.
