Vote for a republic on November 6

A recent survey by Newspoll found that 64 percent of voters support 
Australia becoming a republic and 95 per cent believe Australia's head of 
state should be an Australian. Yet, the proposition that Australia become a 
republic could be defeated at the referendum on November 6.

The question of Australia becoming a republic is linked to a specific model 
which simply replaces the Governor-General and Queen by a President 
appointed by Parliament.

A President would be appointed by a two-thirds majority vote of both Houses 
of Parliament. Candidates would be nominated by the public, the Prime 
Minister's choice, with the agreement of the Leader of the Opposition, 
would then be put for a vote by a joint sitting of Parliament. 

The Newspoll survey found that 78 percent of those supporting a republic 
preferred a head of state elected directly by the Australian people.

For a public who are sick of the major parties and politicians it sounds 
far more attractive and democratic.

There are dangers, however. A popularly elected President would lead to the 
formation of two possibly conflicting centres of power.

The position of President would become politicised with the people 
expecting the President to play an active part in the political processes 
which have led to the disillusionment.

Once politicised, the election of a President would be influenced by 
whoever had the financial resources to run a Presidential campaign.

Regardless of what limitations are placed on the powers of a popularly 
elected President, such a figure would, by virtue of his or her election, 
carry political authority which could be posed against those 
representatives elected to govern.

The system would become similar to the American system with never-ceasing 
conflict between the President and the Houses of Congress.

The Communist Party believes that the Parliament, elected by the people, 
must remain the prime institution in our political system with the 
President having only minimal powers.

The disillusionment with the present major political parties can only be 
overcome by electing better and honest representatives to our Parliaments 
and not by clutching at an illusion that a popularly elected President will 
overcome the problems.

Devious

The monarchist forces have virtually abandoned any mention of the monarchy 
or Queen. Instead, a number of leading monarchists are now calling for a 
head of state elected directly by the people and are using the same 
arguments as those republicans who are also calling for a "NO" vote.

This is because they know that a republic is called for by an overwhelming 
number of voters. Their only hope of retaining the monarchy is to team up 
with the republican "NO" voters and to use their arguments.

The focus of debate has been shifted from the basic question of Australia 
becoming a republic to the method of choosing the head of state. This is 
diverting attention from the basic question: should Australia become a 
republic? The answer is "YES".

The monarchy is an unwanted relic of feudalism in England and colonialism 
in Australia. It is irrelevant to the people of Australia.

The replacement of the Queen (and her representative the Governor-General) 
by an Australian President would be an important, progressive step forward.

The Communist Party urges you to vote "YES" for an Australian republic.

The CPA advocates a number of other changes to the Constitution to make it 
truly progressive and protective of the interests of the Australian people. 
These include a Bill of Rights, the introduction of an electoral system 
based on proportional representation, laws protecting the environment, and 
recognition of the right of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people.

But these changes are not being put in the November 6 referendum. The 
struggle for more worthwhile and important changes will continue, 
regardless of the outcome of the referendum.

On the question of the proposed preamble, the CPA strongly recommends a 
"NO" vote.

More details on the CPA's position are available in last week's 
Guardian and in the pamphlet For an independent and democratic 
republic of Australia, $2 (plus $1 p&p) from 65 Campbell St, Surry 
Hills, NSW, 2010.

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