Rekindling the Fire: The Republic and Australia's Future

Abstract

The truth is that Australians' undivided allegiance to the British Crown died long ago. As Australia's head of state, the Queen embodies neither our present nor our future. Instead, she is a reminder of our distant past. Yet the monarchy remains long after its meaningful presence in Australian society has vanished. Ever since the defeat of the republic referendum in 1999, Australians have allowed the republic to languish on the backbenches of the political agenda. Lacking the imagination and political will to work through the democratic and political obstacles in its path, we have assigned the republic yet again to the sleeping and 'inevitable' position it has occupied for much of our history. Show more