Why did Australia choose to be a constitutional monarchy?

[LastManstanding]

Which Australia did in 1999. The question was :

'Should Australia alter the Constitution to establish the Commonwealth of Australia as a republic with the Queen and Governor-General being replaced by a President appointed by a two-thirds majority of the members of the Commonwealth Parliament'

Result: 55% no, 45% yes.


What incentive does australia have to continue being a constitutional monarchy except for stronger ties with England and probably the opportunity to get excited and wave flags at the Royal wedding?

 

[Gilly]

Because the system we have works and works well so you need to provide tangible improvement on the system we have to change. what would improve in Australia if we became a republic.

 

[Convict]

What reason is there to change?

 

[CricketCartoons]

Australia doesn't share the same bloody history and legacy with UK which its other colonies like India do. Indian subcontinent was oppressed and exploited so it makes sense to remove the British insignia and symbols, but Australia is essentially an extension of UK, same race, religion and language, so they proudly display the Union Jack on their own flag and support the British Monarchy.

 

[orthodox_spin]

The simple reason is that when you set up a brand new state it is difficult trying to achieve a consensus on the type of powers each branch of the state ought to have. This is can be evidenced in Middle Eastern countries where the constitution changes quite frequently. Accepting the existing system, but changing the people who manage that system, reduces rebellion, instability and constant power grab. It is far easier to reform over years as opposed to overnight.

On a more deeper level, the British system, confers those who rule with a significant amount of power. Here in the UK we do not have a written constitution but we gave our former colonies one. The Australian system has the hallmarks of the British System which has a significant amount of power. It has the mixture of common law, written constitutional rights, same public institutions, parliamentary set up, monarchy etc. All these provide a huge level of power to those in power. No government wants less power, but a government also do not want to highlight that they have significant power. The British System provides state actors with significant power.

 

[guvi]

because deep down they know they are british...

 

[Pakistanian]

Cause like others said they don't have an identity of their own, they're just British descendants living in the southern hemisphere.

 

[Yossarian]

Which Australia did in 1999. The question was :

'Should Australia alter the Constitution to establish the Commonwealth of Australia as a republic with the Queen and Governor-General being replaced by a President appointed by a two-thirds majority of the members of the Commonwealth Parliament'

Result: 55% no, 45% yes.


What incentive does australia have to continue being a constitutional monarchy except for stronger ties with England and probably the opportunity to get excited and wave flags at the Royal wedding?

Same reason Tory supporters living in the Shires voted en mass for Brexit. ie Believing they could return to the 'Good old days when Brittania ruled the waves'. The white Australians don't see themselves as having been subjects of Colonial Britain, but as being the colonials and fully fledged members of the ruling British Empire. Keeping the Queen as Head of State keeps that notion still alive.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Same reason Tory supporters living in the Shires voted en mass for Brexit. ie Believing they could return to the 'Good old days when Brittania ruled the waves'. The white Australians don't see themselves as having been subjects of Colonial Britain, but as being the colonials and fully fledged members of the ruling British Empire. Keeping the Queen as Head of State keeps that notion still alive.

They also claim to be part of the 'West' when they are located in the East. After 200 years they still haven't embraced their location or made up their own identity. I guess being linked to the UK, western world and happily going along with their wars, gives them a sense of superiority.

 

[Junaids]

They also claim to be part of the 'West' when they are located in the East. After 200 years they still haven't embraced their location or made up their own identity. I guess being linked to the UK, western world and happily going along with their wars, gives them a sense of superiority.

Geography counts for nothing.

Our neighbours are basically downtrodden and enjoy few if any of the freedoms we consider fundamental.

Our closest peers are the Kiwis, the British, the Irish and the Canadians, followed by the Americans.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Geography counts for nothing.

Our neighbours are basically downtrodden and enjoy few if any of the freedoms we consider fundamental.

Our closest peers are the Kiwis, the British, the Irish and the Canadians, followed by the Americans.

No they are your ancestors not peers but I thought you was English not Australian? Australians should create their own identity and not hang on to the subservient mindset of wanting to follow everything British or western. This is why Aus for no reason got involved in wars and now have put themselves at risk from any backlash.

 

[Gilly]

They also claim to be part of the 'West' when they are located in the East. After 200 years they still haven't embraced their location or made up their own identity. I guess being linked to the UK, western world and happily going along with their wars, gives them a sense of superiority.

Is that like how some British/Pakistani people suddenly think they are superior because they live in England.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Is that like how some British/Pakistani people suddenly think they are superior because they live in England.

Not sure where you got this idea from? Not heard of Imran Khan, he's as Paksitani as they come and he is regarded as the greatest Pakistani alive now by Brit Paks(unless they support corruption).

 

[Gilly]

Not sure where you got this idea from? Not heard of Imran Khan, he's as Paksitani as they come and he is regarded as the greatest Pakistani alive now by Brit Paks(unless they support corruption).

Case in point, Imran was educated in England and now greatest Pakistani alive.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Case in point, Imran was educated in England and now greatest Pakistani alive.

Its not because of his education he is admired by British Pakistanis, it's because his a true patriot of Pakistan, brave, honest and caring. If Brit Paks felt they are superiour they wouldnt revere him as he never called Britain his home and left it forever to pursue a better Pakistan.

 

[James]

They also claim to be part of the 'West' when they are located in the East. After 200 years they still haven't embraced their location or made up their own identity. I guess being linked to the UK, western world and happily going along with their wars, gives them a sense of superiority.

If being a culturally western country is how they like it, who are we to judge or interfere? It’s up to Australians how they define their country and shape their legacy.

 

[CricketCartoons]

If being a culturally western country is how they like it, who are we to judge or interfere? It’s up to Australians how they define their country and shape their legacy.

The native Brits coming in defence of the Australian system of being under the Queen only shows that they are brothers. Same race, religion, language and western ideology.

 

[JaDed]

If being a culturally western country is how they like it, who are we to judge or interfere? It’s up to Australians how they define their country and shape their legacy.

Same logic with America and Israel too hopefully.

 

[James]

Same logic with America and Israel too hopefully.

The question was about national identity.

It’s true that Australians have maintained about as close an identity to the British as you could get without actually being British.

The America and Israel comparisons meanwhile don’t work because those two countries have carved out their own very unique national identities.

My response on Australia specifically would be - if their preference is to remain similar to the way they always have done in the past - surely that is up to them? If to be Australian is to possess an Australian state of mind whilst also feeling closely in touch with your British ancestry - is that such a problem?

 

[Gilly]

The native Brits coming in defence of the Australian system of being under the Queen only shows that they are brothers. Same race, religion, language and western ideology.

Why would someone like KingKhanWC make such disparaging remarks against Australia, is it because they make him feel insecure, is he xenophobic or does he have some else that burdens him.

I dont think James was defending australia but just rebuking hate speech.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Why would someone like KingKhanWC make such disparaging remarks against Australia, is it because they make him feel insecure, is he xenophobic or does he have some else that burdens him.

I dont think James was defending australia but just rebuking hate speech.

Because the cultural and religious identities are different for the natives vs the others. The gift of multiculturalism.

 

[Robert]

They also claim to be part of the 'West' when they are located in the East. After 200 years they still haven't embraced their location or made up their own identity. I guess being linked to the UK, western world and happily going along with their wars, gives them a sense of superiority.

If they have a sense of superiority they deserve it. What are they, #1 or #2 on the Human Development Index table?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Is that like how some British/Pakistani people suddenly think they are superior because they live in England.

Yes it is, and we are. Australia/Australians are superior for the same reasons.

 

[Zaz]

If they have a sense of superiority they deserve it. What are they, #1 or #2 on the Human Development Index table?

For their own kind The natives dont enjoy many opportunities or live long comfortable lives

 

[Robert]

For their own kind The natives dont enjoy many opportunities or live long comfortable lives

"Tha natives" are surely everyone born in Australia.

 

[KingKhanWC]

If being a culturally western country is how they like it, who are we to judge or interfere? It’s up to Australians how they define their country and shape their legacy.

It's not my business, I am just giving my views on the thread topic. It's a bit sad a nation so far away who claims to be forward thinking would want to hang on to the Queen, UK etc. Australia by following the foreign policy of the west have only put themselves under threat.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Why would someone like KingKhanWC make such disparaging remarks against Australia, is it because they make him feel insecure, is he xenophobic or does he have some else that burdens him.

I dont think James was defending australia but just rebuking hate speech.

lol. Hate Speech? Funny coming from someone whose remarks against Muslims on here are well known.

If you want to keep bowing down to a Queen who lives thousands of miles away from you and a royal family which had no issues sending convicts to a new land, raping and cleansing the natives, be my guest.

 

[JaDed]

The question was about national identity.

It’s true that Australians have maintained about as close an identity to the British as you could get without actually being British.

The America and Israel comparisons meanwhile don’t work because those two countries have carved out their own very unique national identities.

My response on Australia specifically would be - if their preference is to remain similar to the way they always have done in the past - surely that is up to them? If to be Australian is to possess an Australian state of mind whilst also feeling closely in touch with your British ancestry - is that such a problem?

Fair enough, but considering Britain has a violent past and if British citizens have no issue with Aus feeling close to such ancestry surely Israel can form its own exploitative national identity with the help of America and the British citizens would say the same?

National identity surely is inclusive of the violent past.

 

[troodon]

To me Aus is simply an extension of Brits in the Southern Hemisphere. Same people, same surnames, same language with a different accent and same religion.
Basically they are brothers.

I find it odd that there is so much bitterness between them when it comes to cricket.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

To me Aus is simply an extension of Brits in the Southern Hemisphere. Same people, same surnames, same language with a different accent and same religion.
Basically they are brothers.

I find it odd that there is so much bitterness between them when it comes to cricket.

I wouldn't describe it as bitterness these days, I think that was the case maybe up to half a century ago. It's more of a healthy sporting rivalry now, none of the political and religious tension that you would get between India and Pakistan for example. As Ian Chappell once said, we might be rivals but we don't fight wars over it.

I feel the British have played their hand with former colonies very well over the last few generations, losing some power admittedly, but not influence.

 

[humzy]

This whole thread is hilarious. People telling Aussies to create their own identity meanwhile most people cant tell the difference between Pakistani and Indian culture

 

[CricketCartoons]

This whole thread is hilarious. People telling Aussies to create their own identity meanwhile most people cant tell the difference between Pakistani and Indian culture

Agreed, only Aussies should decide what they identify with, but India or Pakistan don't have the union jack on their flags, they are independent nations with some common heritage, but neither treats the other as its figurative head.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

This whole thread is hilarious. People telling Aussies to create their own identity meanwhile most people cant tell the difference between Pakistani and Indian culture

The difference here is that Pakistan was never transplanted half a world away, it remains in the same place it always was even when it was part of India. Australians, Canadians, Americans and New Zealanders on the other hand are in different continents now. But obviously they will have taken their heritage and culture with them, so will forever be stamped with the British culture in some form or other. It wouldn't surprise me if one day the Americans don't put the Union Jack back on their flag once they have finally put their colonial hang up behind them.

 

[humzy]

Agreed, only Aussies should decide what they identify with, but India or Pakistan don't have the union jack on their flags, they are independent nations with some common heritage, but neither treats the other as its figurative head.

No one treats England as its figure head, and our culture is actually fairly different to that of the English. I work with both English and Australian people and regularly analyse this.

In terms of the Union Jack, thats our historical symbol. The public was asked multiple times if they wanted to change it and they refused because it has historical significance to them.

Pakistan doesn't have a Union Jack due to the relationship of slave and master. Australia has always had a big brother little brother relationship with England so that argument doesn't stick.

I personally would support independence from a constitutional monarchy and a change of flag but it has so little effect on our daily lives over here that it just doesn't matter.

Australians are very slow to change things up and the only reason they keep it this way is a feeling of nostalgia or historical significance. As stated earlier they literally do it because they like waving flags at the royal wedding.

Besides i don't think any country would be forthright about changing its flag. Its like a person changing their last name. Theres a certain significance in regards to heritage that humans hold dear which i personally never cared for, but i do get it.

 

[CricketCartoons]

In terms of the Union Jack, thats our historical symbol. The public was asked multiple times if they wanted to change it and they refused because it has historical significance to them.

Pakistan doesn't have a Union Jack due to the relationship of slave and master. Australia has always had a big brother little brother relationship with England so that argument doesn't stick.

Yes, that is what I said. It was never a master slave relationship, so Australia can proudly display the Union Jack on its flag to show the historical relations with elder brother UK.

 

[troodon]

This whole thread is hilarious. People telling Aussies to create their own identity meanwhile most people cant tell the difference between Pakistani and Indian culture

The only thing that differentiates an Indian from Pakistani is religion. Both follow Religion(s) that are polar opposite of each other.

Outside of that, Northern part of India shares a lot of culture with Pakistan's Punjab and Sindh.

 

[humzy]

Yes, that is what I said. It was never a master slave relationship, so Australia can proudly display the Union Jack on its flag to show the historical relations with elder brother UK.

my apologies i did not realise you were agreeing.

 

[Pakistanian]

No one treats England as its figure head, and our culture is actually fairly different to that of the English. I work with both English and Australian people and regularly analyse this.

In terms of the Union Jack, thats our historical symbol. The public was asked multiple times if they wanted to change it and they refused because it has historical significance to them.

Pakistan doesn't have a Union Jack due to the relationship of slave and master. Australia has always had a big brother little brother relationship with England so that argument doesn't stick.

I personally would support independence from a constitutional monarchy and a change of flag but it has so little effect on our daily lives over here that it just doesn't matter.

Australians are very slow to change things up and the only reason they keep it this way is a feeling of nostalgia or historical significance. As stated earlier they literally do it because they like waving flags at the royal wedding.

Besides i don't think any country would be forthright about changing its flag. Its like a person changing their last name. Theres a certain significance in regards to heritage that humans hold dear which i personally never cared for, but i do get it.

Dude are you white? I was born and raised in America yet I don't identity with colonialism and white supremacy. Australia's flag is a symbol of British colonialism, it's for this very reason why NBA star Patty Mills, who is of aborignal background chooses to wave the flag of his ethnicity over the Australian flag.

 

[Pakistanian]

The only thing that differentiates an Indian from Pakistani is religion. Both follow Religion(s) that are polar opposite of each other.

Outside of that, Northern part of India shares a lot of culture with Pakistan's Punjab and Sindh.

Interesting, Sri Lankans have everything in common with Indians so I don't see why they shouldn't be considered Indians as well.

 

[Pakistanian]

The difference here is that Pakistan was never transplanted half a world away, it remains in the same place it always was even when it was part of India. Australians, Canadians, Americans and New Zealanders on the other hand are in different continents now. But obviously they will have taken their heritage and culture with them, so will forever be stamped with the British culture in some form or other. It wouldn't surprise me if one day the Americans don't put the Union Jack back on their flag once they have finally put their colonial hang up behind them.

America actually takes a lot of pride in doing everything the opposite of what Britian does. That's why we use imperial measurements and have our own spellings, our own form of government different from the British world. It's also unlikely that Anglo Americans would ever support the union jack to placed in the American flag because America fought a Revolutionary war for independence from Britain whereas Canada and Australia gained independence through an act passed in London and that's why we got rid of the monarchy. More over white Americans are much more diverse than Australians who are mostly Celtics whereas Americans are mostly of German heritage so they don't have the same connection.

 

[James]

America actually takes a lot of pride in doing everything the opposite of what Britian does. That's why we use imperial measurements and have our own spellings, our own form of government different from the British world. It's also unlikely that Anglo Americans would ever support the union jack to placed in the American flag because America fought a Revolutionary war for independence from Britain whereas Canada and Australia gained independence through an act passed in London and that's why we got rid of the monarchy. More over white Americans are much more diverse than Australians who are mostly Celtics whereas Americans are mostly of German heritage so they don't have the same connection.

Interesting that when I have been in the States I have always felt extremely welcome and safe being a Brit, Americans and Brits seem to get on very well.

 

[Pakistanian]

Interesting that when I have been in the States I have always felt extremely welcome and safe being a Brit, Americans and Brits seem to get on very well.

Brits are liked in America but Americans take pride in doing things differently, we'd never copy what Britain does. America prides itself in being a leader of the free world, so we export American culture to England, not the other way around.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Interesting that when I have been in the States I have always felt extremely welcome and safe being a Brit, Americans and Brits seem to get on very well.

America and Britain are bosom friends. Still remember the touching speech by Bush in honour of Blair and the entire house was applauding. Haters may say that UK is the 51st state of USA, but the relationship is of equals, especially after Brexit.

 

[King-Misbah]

Brits are liked in America but Americans take pride in doing things differently, we'd never copy what Britain does. America prides itself in being a leader of the free world, so we export American culture to England, not the other way around.

Ha; keep believing that. You even imported a language called English. American food is a copy. So many more examples I could outline.

 

[humzy]

Dude are you white? I was born and raised in America yet I don't identity with colonialism and white supremacy. Australia's flag is a symbol of British colonialism, it's for this very reason why NBA star Patty Mills, who is of aborignal background chooses to wave the flag of his ethnicity over the Australian flag.

Dude do you read?

I said i would support a change in flags but it has little effect on my daily life so i couldn't care less. Not only do i not associate with colonialism, i don't associate with any sort of nationalism, i don't see borders, i see cool people and not so cool people and thats all that i could care about.

Also we don't have mass amounts of cop shootings because of our skin colour, maybe you should worry more about whats going on in your country.

You american kids are way too sensitive these days with your SJW culture.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

America actually takes a lot of pride in doing everything the opposite of what Britian does. That's why we use imperial measurements and have our own spellings, our own form of government different from the British world. It's also unlikely that Anglo Americans would ever support the union jack to placed in the American flag because America fought a Revolutionary war for independence from Britain whereas Canada and Australia gained independence through an act passed in London and that's why we got rid of the monarchy. More over white Americans are much more diverse than Australians who are mostly Celtics whereas Americans are mostly of German heritage so they don't have the same connection.

That was all true....200 years ago when Americans were fighting British colonial taxes. Now though, the Americans worried about the falling numbers of the WASP community (that's White Anglo Saxon Protestant for those not aware) there is a growing nostalgia for Britain and other European nations where many original immigrants hailed from. Union Jack flags are fashionable again, British tv shows and actors are all the rage, and the nation voted for Donald Trump as a throwback antidote to Obama bin Laden.

 

[James]

That was all true....200 years ago when Americans were fighting British colonial taxes. Now though, the Americans worried about the falling numbers of the WASP community (that's White Anglo Saxon Protestant for those not aware) there is a growing nostalgia for Britain and other European nations where many original immigrants hailed from. Union Jack flags are fashionable again, British tv shows and actors are all the rage, and the nation voted for Donald Trump as a throwback antidote to Obama bin Laden.

Not forgetting that The Donald himself is half-British, or more specifically half-Scottish.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Not forgetting that The Donald himself is half-British, or more specifically half-Scottish.

He must be very proud of his Scottish heritage as well, that explains why he has invested quite heavily in Scotland. Americans in general are usually quite happy to refer back to their countries of origin, which is why you still get them referring to themselves as African-Americans, or Italian-Americans. Nothing wrong with it either, it's a country of immigrants so it's quite natural and perfectly healthy as they probably have less of an entitlement attitude as compared to indigenous populations in many countries.