In 1999 the Australian public went to the polls and voted in a referendum to decide whether we would continue to have the Queen as our head of state - or elect our own president and change to a republican form of government. The vote was basically a 55/45 result in favour of retaining the status quo.
Of course this poll was skewed by a monarchist leaning prime minister. The only option given was for a president of Australia chosen by a majority of politicians from both sides of politics. A president chosen by public vote was not on offer, and had it been - the result may have been very different.
This republican change is still bubbling away in many quarters and we now have the leader of this republican movement as our prime minister, but there is no pressure for change. Queen Elizabeth is loved and respected by most Australians and it is generally conceded that the monarchy will continue for the remainder of her lifetime.
This year we will be bombarded with one issue that will dominate the news cycle. It is an election year in American politics and that great country will elect a man or a woman who will be ceded the most powerful person in the entire world. The spectacle that is unfolding before us is not exactly one of learned debate and public probing of sober minded leaders who aspire to this high office and will become commander in chief of the world's most powerful military force.
Many proponents of an Australian republic must cringe at the spectacle of self serving semi morons from both sides of politics hurling abuse at one another and delving into war chests the size of the economies of many small countries as they try and buy their way to power. The question many may ask themselves is - "Would any of these be acceptable as the president of Australia ? "
Just imagine the reaction here if - by some miracle - Donald Trump triumphed and became the next president of the United States. The reality is just too awful to contemplate. The phrase - " A bull in a china shop " comes to mind ! Trump has promised to build a huge fence between his country and Mexico and his remarks on Islam has insulted Muslims on a world wide basis. He appeals to the baser instincts of the moronic and his poll ratings demonstrate what a rag-tag field he is heading. Fortunately, wiser council brands him as "unelectable ", but voting in America is by personal choice and if the majority stay away in disgust at the field offering, there is a chance that just such a maverick could emerge victorious.
Many will contend that this would not be a pattern that would emerge here if we become a republic. America has produced many great presidents in the past and the unseemly mess we are seeing today is way out of tune with precedent, but passions rule supreme in politics and the very point of having a monarchy is that the king or queen at that apex is removed from politics by being isolated above that political fray. The "Crown "" is the symbol of power, nomatter who holds that office at any particular time.
No doubt the republican debate here will emerge strongly when the life of Queen Elizabeth ends - and she is now a very old lady - but perhaps this election year in America will have a sobering effect on the debate when it next emerges.
The phrase " There, but for the grace of God - go I " comes to mind !
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