Fresh push to ditch Queen Elizabeth

Australians could soon be bidding farewell to the commonwealth if one group with high-profile support gets their way.

A plan to replace Queen Elizabeth as the nation’s head of state has been revived as the nation’s republic movement ramps up its push to scrap the monarchy‘s hold on Australia.

The plan, launched on Wednesday by the Australian Republic Movement (ARM), outlines how the nation could replace the governor-general with a democratically elected head of state.

Under a model, each state parliament would nominate a candidate – while the federal parliament would nominate three candidates – to be put to a vote of the Australian people.

The elected representative would then serve a five-year term as the head of state, who would largely carry out the same responsibilities as the governor-general.

However, they would no longer have the power to refuse legislation or constitutional change.

ARM chair Peter FitzSimons said the group had developed the model after consultation with thousands of Australians.

“We’ve consulted, we’ve listened closely and Australians have told us this approach will give our nation the best chance of success at a referendum, with an overwhelming majority of Australians likely to back the change,” Mr FitzSimons said.

“This will give all Australian voters a merit-based choice about who speaks for them as head of state.

“The decision will be in their hands, unlike now, where it is luck of the draw who we get from the British royal family.”

The model significantly differs from the one adopted ahead of the failed 1999 republic referendum when the ARM proposed an Australian head of state would be elected by the parliament.

While the movement failed to capture Australians back in 1999, the ARM now believes after 24 months of consultation, its new proposal could win majority support.

“Proposing a specific model is essential to overcome uncertainty about Australia becoming a republic, which is the primary barrier to change,” the ARM said.

“ARM research found that 92 per cent of Australians are open to the idea of a republic, with only 8 per cent opposed to any form of change.”

Originally published as Fresh push to ditch Queen Elizabeth from Australian Republic Movement

For all the latest Entertainment News Click Here 

 For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News

Read original article here

Denial of responsibility! TheDailyCheck is an automatic aggregator around the global media. All the content are available free on Internet. We have just arranged it in one platform for educational purpose only. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials on our website, please contact us by email – [email protected] The content will be deleted within 24 hours.