Referenda
It will be a shameful day for Australia if it does not change its Constitution to both prohibit racial discrimination and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The proposed changes are, individually, both worthy and overdue. But together they become complex enough to threaten the success of any referendum.
The recommendations are to remove the “race power” section, prohibit racial discrimination, but allow positive discrimination “for the purpose of overcoming disadvantage, ameliorating the effects of past discrimination or protecting the cultures, languages or heritage of any group”, to recognise indigenous Australians in the Constitution itself (rather than in a preamble), and to acknowledge indigenous languages.
Continue reading "We need a strong constitution to tackle racism" »
Australia has its own identity, there is no question of that. What it doesn’t have, while we have this umbilical cord link to a foreign power, is its own unambiguous Australian identity.
Try to explain Australia’s current arrangements to an Indian or a Greek person and you can see them struggling to keep a straight face.
One of Australia’s most distinguished diplomats, the former Indonesian Ambassador Richard Woolcott, once wrote that when Australian diplomats are received at official functions overseas, the anthem that is played is ‘God Save the Queen’ and the Queen is toasted at the end as head of state.
Latest 2 of 79 comments
View all comments-
Ronk says:
And your claim that the former Edward VIII “advocated the carpet bombing of Britain to crush the British into submission when he would return to the throne with Queen Wallis at his side” is total and absoulte nonsense without any foundation whatsoever. And even if it were true, it would… Read more »
-
Ronk says:
Try not to confuse “German” with “Nazi”. Doing that makes you just as racist as the Nazis. No German was ever charged with war crimes simply for joining the German armed forces or because some of the bombs he dropped landed on civilian residential buildings. And it’s no secret that… Read more »
If they weren’t busy washing their hair, watching paint dry or rubbing lard on the cat’s boil, more Australians would have got along to the small soiree in Canberra earlier this month to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the failed republican referendum.
The event was entitled “Ten years on, it’s time to mend the nation’s heart”, taking its cue from Malcolm Turnbull’s pointed referendum night sledge against his eventual boss, Prime Minister John Howard, over his allegedly sinister role in skewering the yes vote.
A small ceremony was held on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra – Canberra being a terrifically appropriate choice as, from all the states and territories, the ACT was on its own in voting yes - where a statement was read urging both sides of politics to revisit the case for constitutional change.
Continue reading "Republican nation bored into apathy by republicans" »
Latest 2 of 23 comments
View all comments-
John says:
Commendable arguments from both sides. Okay, so…all those in favour…..and, all those against….! I would, therefore, suggest that Australia SHALL become a republic through natural progression, and over a period of time. Case closed. Read more »
-
Lyn says:
The idea of a republic may not be a bread and butter issue, but since when did we subvert the visionary ideas that this country is built on. Democracy is an ever evolving thing and if we can change it for the better - why not? No matter what form… Read more »
We forget to consult history at our peril.
It is very relevant to the Rudd Government’s latest assault on the sovereignty of the people – that is the proposal of its hand picked committee, headed by Father Frank Brennan, to impose upon them a charter of rights masquerading under the title of a Human Rights Act.
The last time Labor tried for a bill of rights it was by way of a Constitutional amendment to insert a mini bill of rights with the aim of continual enlargement.
Continue reading "Bill of rights is a dangerous lawyers’ picnic" »
Latest 2 of 31 comments
View all comments-
B Pearson says:
I came across this website while doing some research for a Constitutional Law subject. I don’t think I have ever seen any comment so blatantly biased as the turgid rubbish shown here, particularly this piece by Bishop. Read more »
-
What says:
Here’s Brownyn talking about Labor pushing through legislation with their ‘numbers’, when her government took advantage of a Senate and House majority to impose WorkChoices! Give it up Bronwyn, you’re out of touch and out of time. Read more »
Yesterday we blew the froth off a couple in honour of our sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II, and observed her birthday with a package of pieces on the republic which, overall, concluded there appears to be no mass groundswell for another crack at constitutional reform.
Even the republicans are worried that our pollies are simply waiting for the Queen to die so that the issue can somehow resolve itself. Follow the links below to read the pieces.
Latest 2 of 8 comments
View all comments-
Jonathan says:
The last referendum was a complete farce. Any question this important should be posed in simple terms, i.e. 1. Should Australia be a Republic? Y/N; 2. If Yes, should the President (a) be elected by the people, or (b) appointed by politicians? etc. Not the rubbish proposed by Howard where… Read more »
-
Andrew says:
There is one basic and over riding fact that cannot be changed by any rhetoric, logic or emotion from the Monarchists in this debate - the head of state of Australian can never be an Australian. It is a title inherited by someone in England! There are not many advanced… Read more »
The losers in 1999 have the utter gall to demand we abandon our oldest public holiday celebrating our oldest institution, one central to our Westminster system.
On almost every Queen’s Birthday republicans usually rush into the media. This year they’re saying putting republicanism on the political agenda will help the nation recover from the recession. Without a scintilla of evidence, they say the growing interest in Anzac Day is because of republican sentiment.
This shouldn’t surprise anyone. In the nineties they were saying a republic would overcome unemployment, improve trade, free artistic talent, increase immigration, and enhance our standing in Asia.
Continue reading "Republican losers would scrap our oldest holiday" »
Latest 2 of 21 comments
View all comments-
Daniel Urquhart says:
Yes, Trevor, because the constitutional monarchy has SOOOO protected the rights of unborn children, ensured active participating in politics and is so anti-scoailist (I mean, lord, most monarchists are hoarding Keynesians’). As I said, look into citizen initated referenda - the realm where reason prevails. Jesus believed people should get… Read more »
-
Trevor says:
The arguement by those pushing for a republic the likes of Bob Brown is soley because thay want to change our Constitution, and to do one thing and one thing only, and that is to remove all that our Christian forefathers placed in the Constitution to protect us from all… Read more »
The republic debate has evolved since 1999. Traditional approaches to the question still have bite, including general arguments for or against monarchy/republic as well as the nationalist appeal of a republic in Australia and the cost to the public purse of constitutional change.
But the recent Senate hearings into Senator Bob Brown’s bill to hold a republic plebiscite at the time of the next election displayed a number of new developments.
The inevitable first new aspect of the debate has been about the meaning of the 1999 referendum result. An important thread of monarchist argument, often tried in letters to the editor, has been that the matter has been decided because the people have spoken. Republicans have had their chance and should abandon their cause.
Continue reading "Waiting for Queen’s death soft option for republic" »
Latest 2 of 8 comments
View all comments-
Radarekex says:
<a >buy generic zithromax London</a> - <a >zithromax 250mg</a> , http://buyzithromaxonlinerx.com/#6453 order zithromax Read more »
-
jedsseatItalt says:
Hi there, A man falls in love just as he falls downstairs. It is an accident. <a >Magnaflow silverado 5.3 muffler</a> <a >Finding the area of irregular shapes worksheets2</a> <a >Cashe creek casino</a> <a >Four quadrant coordinates grid on dotted paper</a> <a >Hottes sexstories in tamil</a> Read more »
Here’s the worst political ad ever made in Australia:
It’s not a very good version, I know. It’s grainy, and the words don’t line up properly.
But you get the general idea: the two worst prime ministers of our modern history, delivering a boring and patronising monologue about something which should have been exciting and inclusive.
Continue reading "Clapped-out baby-boomers have killed the republic" »
Latest 2 of 35 comments
View all comments-
Stevieni says:
I am sure you will love http://discountgucci.webs.com/[/URL - Read more »
-
LG says:
Prince Charles has also been trained from infancy for the job. I see no merit in him leading us. Read more »
Slack-jawed Queenslanders from Logan, Roma and Warwick, brooding hermits in remote South Australian hamlets who can’t explain the sudden disappearance of their parents, Tasmanians who get on a bit too well with their cousins…stand aside the lot of you.
As of this weekend’s referendum, Western Australia is officially the most backward state in Australia. The state that’s synonymous with sun has embraced darkness for an extraordinary third time, with a majority of sandgropers siding with the cows and the curtains to reject the devilish communist plot known as daylight savings.
Continue reading "Official: WA now the most backward state in Australia" »
Latest 2 of 4 comments
View all comments-
Luke says:
Of all the stuff that happens in western australia… daylight savings is the thing you write about? The only reason we have so much discussion on daylight savings is because the WA people say no… and the eastern staters keep bringing it up because they arent getting the answer they… Read more »
-
Shelly says:
And WA had the balls and the brains to give bad ALP state government the finger. For example; NSW keep voting for state ALP. It doesn’t look like there’s any brains there to follow This reminds me of a joke I was sent. The gist of it is on old… Read more »
Facebook Recommendations
Read all about it
Punch live
Up to the minute Twitter chatter
RT @newscomauHQ: NZ pollie who went viral after thundering speech in favour of gay marriage has a special message for the world. http://t.…
Exclusive op-ed: NZ pollie who went viral after thundering speech in favour of gay marriage has a message for us: http://t.co/DP0JX9PmL4
RT @BusInsiderAU: Tajikistan Blocks YouTube After Video Of Dancing President Goes Viral - http://t.co/QYCQ6f3m8W
Recent posts
The latest and greatest
The Punch is moving house
Good morning Punchers. After four years of excellent fun and great conversation, this is the final post…
Will Pope Francis have the vision to tackle this?
I have had some close calls, one that involved what looked to me like an AK47 pointed my way, followed…
Advocating risk management is not “victim blaming”
In a world in which there are still people who subscribe to the vile notion that certain victims of sexual…
Nosebleed Section
choice ringside rantings
From: Hasbro, go straight to gaol, do not pass go
Tim says:
They should update other things in the game too. Instead of a get out of jail free card, they should have a Dodgy Lawyer card that not only gets you out of jail straight away but also gives you a fat payout in compensation for daring to arrest you in the first place. Instead of getting a hotel when you… [read more]From: A guide to summer festivals especially if you wouldn’t go
Kel says:
If you want a festival for older people or for families alike, get amongst the respectable punters at Bluesfest. A truly amazing festival experience to be had of ALL AGES. And all the young "festivalgoers" usually write themselves off on the first night, only to never hear from them again the rest of… [read more]Gentle jabs to the ribs
Superman needs saving
Can somebody please save Superman? He seems to be going through a bit of a crisis. Eighteen months ago,… Read more
Latest 2 of 358 comments
View all commentsAdd your comment