Will Australia become a republic under Kevin Rudd?

Question

Do you think there will be a Referendum in the near future concerning Australia becoming a Republic and severing ties with the UK?

Answer 1

Better bloody not!!!!!

Answer 2

Too many people seem to want a directly elected president.  In my opinion, that is stupidly wrong and it was pointed out by Paul Keating, former prime minister years ago.  I say he was right about that.  

OK it sounds democratic but the problem is that it ensures that the president is a politician of one party or another and will act in a partisan manner.  Because el presidente then has a popular mandate he will want to take power from the parliament and will eventually get some, probably too much.  

There is a lot of things wrong with parliaments but they are far

more representative of the country as a whole than any single person.  They also can kick out a government leader in a few hours if they need to.  They can't do that with an elected  president.

If you remember Watergate, remember how long it took to get Nixon out of the White House even after it was as obvious as h**l that he was as guilty as sin of the break-in and the cover-up.  

I feel that the US system is mistaken in this.  The president has too much say, the congress does not have enough. I once read of the US president described as an "elected king".

The advantage with the monarchy, even if it is an absentee one is that the monarch's representative is at least notionally neutral and is not part of any political party.  

If the president was to be selected by a 2/3rd majority of the parliament form a short list of able people I would go with that.  But if the president is to be elected, then "No republic, thanks".

Answer 3

I completely agree with Ken E and like our current system of government and law under the Commonwealth Constitution. I'd be very surprised if Rudd's government called a referendum with a new republican constitution which was in any shape and form like the one Howard's government proposed. Australians don't trust their governments enough to give them too much free reign. But if the Queen gives Howard the royal garter thingy I'd be more open minded about severing ties with the UK LOL

Answer 4

If only.... This issue has a low priority in contrast with urgent environmental, economic, and population issues, not to mention the disastrous health problems of our indigenous peoples.

Answer 5

I think there will be a push for a plebiscite to gauge if the nation truly wants to become a republic (it will also put the rest the monarchist argument on winning the disingenuous referendum under Howard), if that come out positively then real discussion can begin

Answer 6

I agree with the above answer.

There will be another referendum, but I can't see the majority Australians agreeing to becoming a Republic in the near future. I'd say the Yes vote will be much larger than last time but not enough to win the day.

Answer 7

I don't think he has the vision [or the balls] to put forward a referendum strong enough to convince us. I think the ONLY reason he was even elected was that people wanted a change.....Howard was a bit stale but IMO he was doing a FANTASTIC job.

This country has never been in as good shape as when Rudd took it over.....Now look, 3 interest rises in the first 3 months.....TYPICAL LABOUR GOV"T !!!!!!!

Answer 8

Not in his first term but it is likely in the second. I would suggest that Australia will remain a monarchy while the Queen is alive but will quickly become a republic once she is dead. The only ties left with the UK are that we share a monarch. All other ties were severed years ago.

Answer 9

Sooner the better.  I think like others do that when the Queen's reign ends then we'll do something about it.

Answer 10

referendums are so hard to pass

i think only there has only ever been 44

and only 8 are successful

i dont htink that it will happen