Arguments For Change and The Characteristics of The Debate
A central argument made by Australian republicans is that, as Australia is an independent country, it is inappropriate for Britain's monarch to be Australia's Head of State. Some supporters of the monarchy argue that the Governor-General of Australia already is Australia's head of state. Republicans argue that a person who is resident primarily in another country cannot adequately represent Australia, either to itself or to the rest of the world. Former Chief Justice Gerard Brennan stated that "so long as we retain the existing system our head of state is determined for us essentially by the parliament at Westminster." (The UK's laws of succession continue to apply in Australia with the Westminster Accords being the governing accord, and may be changed by the United Kingdom parliament only in conjunction with the consent of the other Commonwealth countries affected.) As Australian Republican Movement member Frank Cassidy put it in a speech on the issue: "In short, we want a resident for President."
Read more about this topic: Republicanism In Australia
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