Republicanism in Australia

The subject of republicanism on its own may not seem intimidating to the wider community. However, when spoken in context with the separation of Australia from its monarchical foundations by amending the Australian constitution it is guaranteed to provoke a response. Such as the response made by Prime Minister John Howard who professed his opposition to Australia becoming a republic and suggested that it would not happen in his lifetime. Firstly, this essay will explore the legal issues involved in transforming Australia to a republic by focusing on such matters as the selection of a Head of State and constitutional amendment. Secondly, it will discuss whether such a transformation is possible during John Howard's lifetime.

Australian republicanism has historically been concerned with asserting Australia's independence from Britain. It is believed that such an assertion may have inaugurated in the early to mid nineteenth century when Australian colonies moved toward responsible government (Stephenson, 1994). In 1901 under the Constitutional Convention of 1890, the colonies of Australia federated (Stephenson, 1994). However, it is suggested that this federation did not generate an independent Australia, rather, that it occurred in 1942 with the adoption of the British Statute of Westminster 1931 where Australia attained Commonwealth legislative independence from Britain. Australia's independence was further enhanced in 1986 when the Australia Acts were passed. This legislation resulted in the abolition of appeals from Australian courts, and extinguished Imperial control on State laws (Stephenson, 1994). As a result, is it plausible