Geoffrey Dutton address entitled 'The idea of a republican Australia, its history and possibilities': an ANU Convocation luncheon address given on 10 November 1977

Abstract

The address concerns the idea of a republican Australia, its history and possibilities. He starts without an introduction. He starts by speaking about the fact that republicanism is a deeply emotional issue and one that is strong in Australia and explains how Australia is being kept apart from the British Commonwealth for so long. He also explains how Britain is being regarded by Australians over the years he then speaks about the fact that South Australia has pioneered republicanism and names some famous early Australian republicans including Henry Lawson, Charles Harper, Henry Parkes and the Rev. John Dunmore Lang and reads extracts from some of their literature and poetry. He then describes the riot that occured in 1887 at the Sydney Town Hall between the republicans and monachists and quotes from the book 'Poor fellow my country; by Zaviar Herbert. Dutton then answers questions from his audience. These questions include such subjects as what is the true purpose of democratic socialism; whether or not Mr Dutton feels that the dismissal of the Whitlam Government advanced the cause of republicanism; why Australia should want to rid itself of monarchy when it doesn't have to pay anything for them and what effect post war immigration has had on the evolution of the idea of an Australian republic. Mr Dutton spoke for about 45 minutes and he's then thanked by the Chairman of Convocation Professor Manning Clark. Show more