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The Forum > Article Comments > Symbols matter > Comments

Symbols matter : Comments

By George Williams, published 18/2/2008

It is incongruous that Australia's head of state is the monarch of a foreign nation, born to a position that ranks men over women and rules Catholics ineligible.

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Of course they do. What would happen if a nomination were received for an Aboriginal, Catholic woman to be Governor General? I can think of a few whom I would regard as suitable for this position. But...would it be allowed with our constitution the way it is? Hmm, I think work is urgently required.
Posted by arcticdog, Monday, 18 February 2008 9:10:31 AM
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Petty, petty, petty. Purely academic claptrap of little interest alongside the real problems we have in Australia.

These two need to get a proper job.
Posted by Leigh, Monday, 18 February 2008 9:40:35 AM
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The Governor-General is Australia’s Head of State.
The Governor-General is Australia’s Head of State.
The Governor-General is Australia’s Head of State.
The Governor-General is Australia’s Head of State.
The Governor-General is Australia’s Head of State.
The Governor-General is Australia’s Head of State.
The Governor-General is Australia’s Head of State.
The Governor-General is Australia’s Head of State.
The Governor-General is Australia’s Head of State.
The Governor-General is Australia’s Head of State.
The Governor-General is Australia’s Head of State.
The Governor-General is Australia’s Head of State.
The Governor-General is Australia’s Head of State.
The Governor-General is Australia’s Head of State.
The Governor-General is Australia’s Head of State.
The Governor-General is Australia’s Head of State.
The Governor-General is Australia’s Head of State.
The Governor-General is Australia’s Head of State.
Posted by Dalque, Monday, 18 February 2008 9:42:12 AM
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The authors are of course right about a republic. However you cannot sell your house and then look for another. You have to suggest a new system before you abolish the old one, thats just common sense.
My own view is "All people are created equal" no special interest or races to get any different trreatment or recognition.
Same as now Prime Minister pick our President and should supply be denied then whowever gets in first wins. Govenor General can sack the goverment and put it to an election or Government can sack the President and select a toady. Either way we win! We elect Government and the President goes or we change government, sooner or later.
If you feel strongly about this then you have to have an alternative! If you do not have an alternative then you are either not committed enough or dopey! Either way put up or shut up!
Posted by JBowyer, Monday, 18 February 2008 9:58:01 AM
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Here we go again. In lieu of any cogent argument, just call those who think differently "dopey".

Great argument!

David
Posted by VK3AUU, Monday, 18 February 2008 1:00:07 PM
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Now that the authors have found section 2 of the Constitution, perhaps they will press on to section 61.

DIS
Posted by DIS, Monday, 18 February 2008 10:11:34 PM
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As the author's correctly state, symbols do matter and the Royalist paradigm is quite anachronistic in a modern, secular democracy. Indeed, the best possible argument against the article is that, for most people, life would only be slightly different if there was an Australian head of state rather than some archaic representation of colonialism and even prior to that, Henry VIII's desire for theological independence from Rome.

And Dalque needs to graduate from primary school.
Posted by Lev, Tuesday, 19 February 2008 9:05:33 AM
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Until we are a republic, we will be seen as "the small kid on the block"; always looking towards either Britain or the US before formulating international policy.

England enjoys its monarchy and the tradition which goes with it, and none would decry
this.

However, Australia needs to be seen as an independent country, free of attachments to Britain. No longer do Australians, I hope, refer to the "mother country". It is time to cut the strings.

Most importantly, no Australian should bend the knee to anyone.
Posted by Danielle, Tuesday, 19 February 2008 2:04:11 PM
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