Should AUstralia Become A Republic

Essay by EssaySwap ContributorHigh School, 12th grade February 2008

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On the 6th November 1999, the day had come to decide whether or not the Australian Constitution should be changed to make Australia a republic. There were many arguments both for and against the republic, and in the end the majority of the people voted the republic out. As it was later found out it wasn't the republic itself they didn't want, but infact the model they were given.

'Yes'case was led by the Australian Republican movement, Malcolm Turnball. But there were many others supporting the 'Yes' case. Such as Kim Beazley (ALP leader) according to him on the 25th January 1999 Australia needed to vote 'Yes' in order to create a clear path to "constitutional maturity" he also said to "…vote for a new sense of optimism that will make us a better nation." According to a 'Yes' commity pamflet on the 6th November 1999 we would have an "Australian as our head of state", "Every Australian will be able to nominate a person to be president" and "There would only be minor word changes" for example replacing Queen with President.

Jason Yat-sen Li a spokesmen for the 'Yes' case believed that Australian multicultural identity and future direction would be hindered by the British monarchy and that "…the first steps down a path away from white Australia, Indigenous genocide…all things British." The 'No'case (Australians for a constitutional monarchy) was led by Kerry Jones. According to panflet distribution by the ACM 1999, "the politicians not the people choose the president", "There would be nothing to keep the politicians honest" and that "The president won't be one of us, but one of them-a politician". Basically going against everything in the 'Yes' case.

The 'No' case gained the support of many republicans who apposed the politicians appointing the president. They...