Model details
Under the model, nominations for the Head of State or President could have been made by any Australian citizen or group of citizens. These would have been received by a nominations committee established by Parliament. The committee would provide a report to theRationale
If implemented, the model would have established an Australian Republic by removing constitutional links to the monarchy. References to either Queen or Governor-General in the Australian constitution would have been replaced by a reference to the President of Australia. Supporters of the model argued that appointed presidents would carry out the presidential duties in a very similar fashion to the current Governor-General, as the method of appointment requires the combined support of the major political parties. The President would continue to act on the advice of the Prime Minister, as to do otherwise would invite dismissal. Consequently, the change to a republic is argued to have minimal impact on the rest of Australia's parliament and government. Although the 1999 referendum was limited to the federal jurisdiction, the model is able to be adopted with little modification by each of the sixCritique of the model
The model was criticised for its lack of democratic qualities. The Head of State is not elected by the people and the Prime Minister may legally ignore all nominations made by ordinary citizens. The model was specifically criticised for allowing the Prime Minister to dismiss the Head of State. The model was also criticised for its bi-partisan mechanism. According to some, the deliberate seeking of support by the Prime Minister to the Opposition Leader, who are by definition political adversaries, may influence the outcome of other policy contests. The mandate implicitly conferred by two-thirds of the parliament may encourage the President to make use ofHistory
The model was originally developed by legal academicReferences
* ''Road to a Republic'' (2004, Senate Printing Unit) * Turnbull, Malcolm 'An Australian Republic' (1993, AGPS Canberra)See also
* Australian republicanism Republicanism in Australia Government of Australia