In The Australian on Australia Day, a report of an opinion poll showing a drop in support for an Australian Republic.
Public support for a republic has crashed to its lowest level in five years, with less than half the population now backing the appointment of an independent head of state.
What the report didn't emphasise is that a majority of people, 46%, are in favour of an Australian republic, where only 35% were against. A whopping 19% were uncommitted.
In affluent but insecure times, and with a Prime Minister who shows no interest in changing the status quo, it's hardly surprising that the issue has waned. Royalist conservatives desperately want to think that the issue is dead, but in reality it wouldn't take much to build on the 46% support level if the subject was revived.
A determined government could see in a republic, but the process would need to be multi-staged and consultative. The case for change makes perfect sense. The difficulty is in the detail.
With the Liberal Party constituency voting solidly in favour of change at the 1999 referendum, it's not inconceivable that the push may eventually come from a conservative government. There are many committed Republicans within the current conservative government. I seem to remember one Malcolm Turnbull was a keen supporter, as was the Treasurer.
Realists, however, know that nothing is going to happen until Labor regains power. Then we can expect a Howard-less opposition to give the issue what it really needs.
Bipartisanship.
You know what makes me mad is when it is constantly reported that 'Australia voted against a republic' What rubbish. 45% of Australians voted FOR one form of a republican constitution. 55% were divided between the direct electionists, the monarchists, the ignorant, the scared and the apathetic.
Given the anti PM it was a pretty good result even if it was disappointing.
I was told a year or two before the referendum that it hadn't got a hope in hell while Mrs Bucket had any opportunites to mix it with the Queen. Makes sense.
Sorry this is a late response.
Any response is a good response!
Thanks!
A letter of mine has been shortlisted for Thursdays SMH. It is very slightly relevant to part of my post!
I'll look out for it.