Push to Make Australia a Republic Is 'Doomed,' Says Prime Minister Tony Abbott

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott

THE TELEGRAPH: The Australian leader has dismissed calls to remove the Queen as head of state

Australia's Prime Minister has dismissed calls for the country to become a republic, in spite of his own treasurer leading the cross-party campaign.

Conservative leader Tony Abbott insisted that efforts to resurrect a push for Australia to become a republic were "doomed" and said he doubted the Australian people would support the campaign.

Its torchbearer, Treasurer Joe Hockey, is leading a bipartisan lobbying group which has called for a plebiscite to be held by 2020 on having an Australian head of state. » | James Rothwell | Thursday, August 27, 2015

Julia Gillard Wants Australia to Become a Republic at End of Queen’s Reign
THE TELEGRAPH: Julia Gillard, the Australian prime minister, has said Australia should cut its ties with Britain and become a republic when the Queen dies or abdicates.

Ms Gillard, who was born in Wales and moved to Australia with her parents aged five, acknowledged that many Australians had “deep affection” for the Queen, but said that the status quo could not remain.

“What I would like to see as prime minister is that we work our way through to an agreement on a model for the republic,” she said during an election campaign stop in Queensland.

“I think the appropriate time for this nation to move to be a republic is when we see the monarch change.

“Obviously I’m hoping for Queen Elizabeth that she lives a long and happy life, and having watched her mother I think there’s every chance that she will.”

While it has its own flag and national anthem, Australia currently operates as a constitutional monarchy, which means that the Queen, as head of state, has the same formal role as she does in Britain. Her representative, the governor-general, is in charge of the army, must give assent to all laws passed by parliament and has the power to dissolve both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The role of the Queen as Australia’s monarch was laid down at federation in 1901 and a complex system of constitutional ties would have to be unravelled for the nation to become a republic. >>> Bonnie Malkin, Sydney | Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Republic Trumps Queen
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: A SLENDER majority of Australians wants the nation to become a republic, with a Herald/Nielsen poll finding little change in public sentiment on the issue in recent years.

A national survey of 1400 voters conducted late last week found that 52 per cent agreed Australia should become a republic. By comparison 40 per cent said it should not, while the remainder were undecided. Republic Trumps Queen >>> By Mark Davis | September 23, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback – Australia) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Hardback – Australia) >>>

King Gyanendra of Nepal Is Given Marching Orders; Nepal to Become a Republic
Photo of King Gyanendra of Nepal courtesy of Google Images
THE TELEGRAPH: Nepal swept away more than two centuries of history when the monarchy was abolished with barely a whimper from the palace.

King Gyanendra, whose seven-year reign began in tragedy, floundered in authoritarianism and ended in meek surrender, was given 15 days to leave his palace. After that, according to the new government, it will be turned into a museum.

An overwhelming majority of an elected assembly, charged with drawing up a new constitution, backed the creation of a republic in the Himalayan nation, which endured 10 years of war against Maoist rebels, who are now the dominant partners in the new political firmament.

The resolution passed by 560 votes with only four against states that Nepal will become "an independent, indivisible, sovereign, secular and an inclusive democratic republic nation".

It adds: "All the privileges enjoyed by the king and royal family will automatically come to an end."

King Gyanendra, who inherited the throne after 10 members of the royal family were massacred by Crown Prince Dipendra in 2001, was a victim of his own incompetence and historical forces beyond his control.

The royal bureaucracy was stuffed with elderly functionaries incapable of accepting change. As a Maoist insurgency gripped the country, especially after 2001, the establishment fell back on what it knew best – authoritarianism practised by a tiny elite. Nepal Abolishes Monarchy as King Gyanendra Given Fortnight to Vacate Palace >>> By Thomas Bell in Kathmandu | May 29, 2008

BBC:
Former Nepal King to Leave Palace >>> | June 11, 2008

BBC:
What Do Monarchs Do Next? >>> | May 30, 2008

DIE PRESSE:
Nepal: König räumt Palast - Mätresse bleibt >>> | 11.06.2008

DIE PRESSE:
Foto Galerie: Gestürzte Monarchien: Es war einmal ein Königreich... >>>

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback - UK)
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Hardback - UK)