Celebrating a republican revolution

The French will be celebrating their Republican Revolution again on July 14, also on the Central Coast.

How different the situation is in Australia.

One could even speak of republican apathy here.

How can this be explained?

First, there is in fact much agreement that a republic should be established with a directly-elected president.

Recent opinion polls suggest that over 80 per cent of those polled in favour this.

That is exactly what the major parties don't favour and why this issue is on the back burner, "until the Queen abdicates".

Secondly, many Australians want to know what kind of republic they will end up with.

There is clearly much dissatisfaction with the parliamentary system.

Senior party stalwarts talk much about democratising their own parties but not about improving the political system as whole, or the archaic constitution.

Therefore, the republic needs to include plans to improve governance across the board, to be achieved with a strategic, maximalist approach, if the public is to be enthused.

The minimalism of the political establishment is the principal cause of the delay in achieving a republic.

While Bastille Day Australian-style cannot be expected soon, Australians are beginning to ask themselves what the real purpose of waiting might be.

Even the Windsors, reportedly, have encouraged current Australian PMs to get on with the job.

Email, 27 Jun 2011 Klaas Woldring, Pearl Beach