In making this statement I believe language plays an important role in determining which direction would provide the most suitable structure for the Australia of the future. Which is what led me to first look up the dictionary definitions for Monarchy and Democracy because as the two current structural ideals of governance that Australia currently identifies with.
New Oxford American Dictionary definitions:
Monarchy: A form of government with a monarch at the head.
(the monarchy) the monarch and royal family of a country, the monarch is the focus of loyalty and service.
Democracy: A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
(Late Latin Greek demokratia, from demos, the people + kratia power, rule.
From these definitions we can easily identify just how much these two forms of governance are at odds with each other. Their fusion is not a strengthening force rather it is a weakening of democracy that continues to validate a monarchy’s prime position within a modern society. The monarchy is about service and loyalty to the royal family and democracy is essentially about people power that allows for loyalty and service to be focused on the people for their benefit.
For context however we must recognise the nuance of what a constitutional monarchy is for Australia. “This means that the head of State is a monarch, or sovereign, who is governed and bound by the Constitution.” (Constitutional Monarchy. 1995-2017. www.australianpolitics.com/democracy/key-terms/constitutional-monarchy)
So for Australia the majority of the power is restricted within the guidelines of the Australian constitution thereby diminishing the power of the head of state, making it more of a figure-head rather than direct ruler. This brings it back to a question of language and what that represents in terms of influence, acknowledging that influence also wields a certain amount of power in this context.
Having a monarch as a head of state validates undemocratic values given monarchy influence can undermine democracy. If a person is given a highly regarded and therefore influential position by virtue of birth this transfers to the creation of a class system that is inherently unfair. The prestige of the station still holds power through influence even when the power itself is restrained through Acts of parliament.
It becomes so enshrined in our society that it can even seem somehow disloyal to write this article. This shows the true power of influence in our lives. We give someone our loyalty without really knowing them. Even if they are truly lovely people is that a legitimate reason to keep them as head of state?
There are after all lots of lovely Australians, shouldn’t they have a chance at the job?
A monarchy tells us that power and money are birthrights and also to therefore accept the opposite, that being powerless and being born into poverty is just part of the natural order of things. We give respect to those born at the top of the birth hierarchy and tell those at the bottom of this hierarchy they must earn it. This can be intrinsically damaging to the fair go attitude that Australians strive for within society.
It becomes more of a question of not monarchy or republic but is it appropriate to continue to enshrine this hierarchy of birth within our political system?
The monarchy does represent a significant part of our history in terms of monumental change. Perhaps it is better represented in our history books rather than our modern government?
The first peoples of this country have a history that remains mainly untold even though it goes back some 50,000 years. We still focus heavily on the last 230 years, is this because the head of state has remained the British monarchy?
It would be very arrogant to say that we have nothing to learn from a civilisation that has managed to survive for so long in what could be argued, is a better balance with their natural environment. So yes let us remember history but let us make sure that history is also told in a way that would enable a fair and balanced lifestyle for all Australians. Not to mention it seems blatantly unjust to keep a head of state that represents the uninvited colonisation of the country they called home first.
When it comes to history and the importance of language we should also pay attention to the overthrow of the democratically elected Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. Due to the loopholes of having a governor general with special reserve on the 11 November 1975 “Invoking archaic vice-regal reserve powers, Kerr sacked the democratically elected prime minister. The Whitlam problem was solved, and Australian politics never recovered, nor the nation its true independence” (John Pilger. The British-American coup that ended Australian independence. 23 October 2014. https://www.theguardian.com)
A further look at these reserve powers reveals the following:
There are some powers, which the Governor-General may, in certain circumstances, exercise without – or contrary to – ministerial advice. These are known as the reserve powers. While the reserve powers are not codified as such, they are generally agreed to at least include (Governor-Generals Role. www.gg.gov.au)
- The power to appoint a Prime Minister if an election has resulted in a ‘hung parliament’;
- The power to dismiss a Prime Minister where he or she has lost the confidence of the Parliament;
- The power to dismiss a Prime Minister or Minister when he or she is acting unlawfully; and
- The power to refuse to dissolve the House of Representatives despite a request from the Prime Minister.
Watch your language
Words weave in and out of our lives Hold the power to tell truth or lies Can build a bridge or a wall Spoken in foolishness they divide Conveyed in understanding they unify This is why I carry a dictionary by my side Disassemble the literal meaning Enfold in modern discourse Watch to see if it holds its burden For there is no hiding intention in expression Misuse reveals their mark As much as missing lines are a sign A stranglehold has prevailed in silence Shoved into mouths conversations are lost So watch your language For it communicates the composition of society
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