Omar Bennett
Australia has been a constitutional monarchy since 1901, when six British colonies joined together to form one self-governing nation within the British Empire. The Australian Monarchist League and other supporters of the monarchy argue that the country should remain a constitutional monarchy because it has contributed great stability to the Australian system of government, and the authority of the Sovereign ensures that the people's freedoms and rights are protected. While Australians are divided on whether the country should remain a constitutional monarchy, King Charles is more popular than any Australian politician.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Stability of government | High |
| Continuity of leadership | High |
| Protection of rights and freedoms | High |
| Rich history | High |
| Sovereign head of state | King of England |
| Effective head of state | Australians as Governors |
| Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Forces | King of England |
| Constitutional duties | Governor-General |
| Ceremonial duties | Governor-General |
| Statutory powers | Governor-General |
| Prerogative powers | Governor-General |
| National flag | Supported by Australians for Constitutional Monarchy |
| Popularity of the King | 50% positive opinion |
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What You'll Learn
- The monarchy has contributed great stability to Australia's system of government
- The Governor-General plays no part in party politics
- The authority of the Sovereign ensures the protection of the people's freedoms and rights
- The King is more popular than any Australian politician
- The Australian Flag is under attack by a small minority of republican flag changers
The monarchy has contributed great stability to Australia's system of government
The Australian constitution does not mention a head of state, but the King is recognised as the sovereign head of state. The Governor-General, appointed by the monarch, assumes the role of effective 'Head of State' and represents the Crown, vested in the people. The Governor-General also ensures the provisions of the Constitution are adhered to and has constitutional and ceremonial duties.
The monarchy has provided continuity and stability to Australia's government. The authority of the Sovereign ensures the protection of the people's freedoms and rights. The Governor-General, as the monarch's representative, upholds the stability of the government by granting royal assent to laws, except in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The Governor-General can also withhold consent to a bill and present it to the sovereign for their personal decision.
The Australian Monarchist League further argues that the current system has worked for hundreds of years and provides safeguards for the people. They believe that a republican form of government would offer no benefits and would instead result in the loss of the monarchy's evolving experience and concomitant practice.
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The Governor-General plays no part in party politics
Australia has been a constitutional monarchy since 1 January 1901, when six British colonies federated into one self-governing nation within the British Empire. The Governor-General plays no part in party politics. Instead, their role is to represent the Crown and ensure the provisions of the Constitution are adhered to.
The Governor-General is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister of Australia. The Prime Minister is the Head of Government. The Governor-General is the federal representative of the Australian monarch and exercises executive power as the King's representative. The Governor-General is also Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force and has constitutional, statutory, and ceremonial duties. They hold and may exercise prerogative powers, such as assent to statutes.
The Governor-General's role is to remain politically neutral and above politics. They are required to act in accordance with Parliament or on the advice of ministers when performing executive actions. In certain limited circumstances, the Governor-General can exercise reserve powers, which are powers that may be exercised without or against formal advice. One of the most prominent uses of the reserve powers occurred during the 1975 Australian constitutional crisis, when Governor-General Sir John Kerr dismissed the government of Gough Whitlam and appointed opposition leader Malcolm Fraser as Prime Minister.
The Governor-General's term of office is typically around five years, although there is no fixed term or limit on the number of terms. The incoming Governor-General takes an oath of allegiance to the monarch and an oath of office, which is administered by the Chief Justice of Australia or another justice of the High Court.
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The authority of the Sovereign ensures the protection of the people's freedoms and rights
Australia has been a constitutional monarchy since 1901, when it became an independent federation with its own sovereign constitution and a separate monarch. The authority of the Sovereign ensures the protection of the people's freedoms and rights in several ways.
Firstly, the Sovereign acts as a visible symbol of national unity, representing all Australians and providing a stable framework for the country's conventions and history. The Sovereign is above politics, existing to give authority to and protect the constitution, with the ultimate power resting in an institution that safeguards it on behalf of the citizens. This means that the Crown can act as an impartial arbiter in a constitutional crisis, ensuring that normal democratic discourse can resume.
Secondly, the Sovereign has a role in safeguarding the rights, freedoms, and the democratic system of government. While the day-to-day powers of governance are held by the Prime Minister, the Sovereign retains residual powers and authority, such as the power to dissolve parliament or give royal assent to legislation. These powers are generally exercised in accordance with constitutional principles rather than personal preferences, and the Sovereign's authority provides a check on the power of the government, ensuring it serves the people and not the reverse.
Thirdly, the Sovereign has representatives who act on their behalf and ensure the provisions of the Constitution are adhered to. In Australia, this is the Governor-General, who is appointed by the monarch and acts as the Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Forces. The Governor-General holds statutory and prerogative powers, such as assenting to statutes, and plays no part in party politics, providing an additional layer of protection for the people's freedoms and rights.
Finally, the continuity of the monarchy itself ensures the protection of freedoms and rights. With the immediate transition from one monarch to the next, the authority of the Sovereign is always present, providing a sense of stability and continuity to the nation.
While some may argue for a move towards a republican form of government, supporters of the constitutional monarchy in Australia believe that the system has worked well for over two hundred years and provides a successful framework for the protection of rights and freedoms, with the Sovereign ultimately ensuring that these are respected and upheld.
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The King is more popular than any Australian politician
While Australians are divided on whether the country should remain a constitutional monarchy, King Charles III is more popular than any Australian politician. Half (50%) have a positive opinion of the King, compared to 40% with a negative view, giving him a net score of +10. The politician with the largest number of Australians with a positive opinion is Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, with 47% having a favourable view and 44% an unfavourable one, giving him a net score of +3.
The next in line to the throne, Prince William, is even more popular than the King. Fully 69% of Australians have a favourable view of the Prince of Wales, with only 20% having a negative view. Even those who want Australia to become a republic as soon as possible have a positive opinion of Prince William, with 52% in favour and 38% against. By contrast, King Charles is unpopular among this group, with 60% holding a negative view and only 31% a positive one.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward are also more popular than Australian politicians. However, Prince Andrew, Camilla, Queen Consort, Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan are unpopular overall.
The Australian Monarchist League argues that Australia should remain a constitutional monarchy, citing the continued stability of its government as closely related to its parliamentary system with its constitutional monarchy underpinning. They argue that while some may consider changing to a republican form of government, nothing would be gained, and the benefits of hundreds of years of evolving experience and concomitant practice would be lost. One of the reasons for the success of constitutional monarchy is that the authority of the Sovereign always exists, and the person of the Sovereign ensures that the people's freedoms and rights are protected. On the death of one monarch, the next immediately takes the throne, and continuity is maintained.
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The Australian Flag is under attack by a small minority of republican flag changers
The Australian Flag is a symbol of the nation's history and identity as a constitutional monarchy. Australia has been a constitutional monarchy since 1901 when six British colonies federated into one self-governing nation within the British Empire. The current monarch, King Charles, is more popular than any Australian politician, with 50% of Australians holding a positive opinion of him. The next in line to the throne, Prince William, is even more popular, with a 69% approval rating.
The constitutional monarchy has contributed great stability to Australia's system of government, with the authority of the Sovereign ensuring the protection of the people's freedoms and rights. The Governor-General, appointed by the monarch, serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Forces and holds constitutional and ceremonial duties, as well as statutory and prerogative powers.
While Australians are divided on whether the country should remain a constitutional monarchy, with one-third wanting to become a republic as soon as possible and a similar number wanting to stay a monarchy for the long term, the benefits of the current system are clear. The continuity and stability provided by the monarchy, as well as the protection of freedoms and rights, are all strong arguments for maintaining the current flag and system of government.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian Monarchist League argues that the constitutional monarchy has contributed great stability to Australia's system of government. It also provides continuity, with the authority of the sovereign always existing to protect the people's freedoms and rights.
The Governor-General is the King's representative in Australia, appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister. They serve as the Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Forces and have constitutional and ceremonial duties, including ensuring that the provisions of the Constitution are adhered to.
In a constitutional monarchy, the authority of the sovereign is always present, providing stability and continuity. The Governor-General, as the King's representative, plays no part in party politics. In a republic, the Head of State would be appointed based on parliamentary support and could be removed by a motion passed in both Houses of Parliament.
Australia became a constitutional monarchy in 1901 when the six British colonies federated into one self-governing nation within the British Empire. Each colony had its own constitution, and when they joined to form Australia, they chose a similar system of government with the King as the sovereign head of state.
Australians are divided on the issue. While one in three want to become a republic as soon as possible, a similar proportion want to remain a constitutional monarchy long-term. The King and the royal family are more popular than any Australian politician, with half of Australians having a positive opinion of the King.
