Our twenty-fifth Governor-General, Quentin Bryce, has spoken in favour of gay marriage and the formation of an Australian Republic in the last of her four Boyer Lectures. Ms. Bryce summed up her dream for the future of our nation, as a country “where people are free to love and marry whom they choose and where perhaps my friends, one day, one young girl or boy may even grow up to be our nation’s first Head of State”. This is the first time a governor-general has spoken out publicly in support of a republic whilst serving as vice-regal representative.
Her stance on marriage equality has been praised with the Australian Marriage Equality director, Rodney Croome, having already released a statement saying: “The governor-general’s dignified support for marriage equality will be welcomed by the many millions of Australians who support the reform. In particular, it will send a message to older Australians that this is a reform they can embrace because it strengthens relationships, families and marriage.”
There are those who believe that, as the representative of our Head of State ‘The Queen‘, our Governor-General has no place discussing politics; such as Liberal Senator Dean Smith who said “Last night’s departure into current political events will come as a slap in the face to many, many Australians, and a significant breach of trust because she would know better than most that that central office is so integral to stay above the day to day political fray.” He went on to say that “She has stepped across the line in inviting a commentary around two very, very sensitive issues.”
Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who was integral to the 1999 campaign against forming a republic, has said that it is “more than appropriate for the Governor-General, approaching the end of her term, to express a personal view on a number of subjects, and that’s what she was doing.”
As outlined in The Governor-General’s Role: ‘The Governor-General’s appointment is at The Queen’s pleasure, that is, without a term being specified. In practice, however, there is an expectation that appointments will be for around five years, subject on occasion, to some extension‘. In March Ms. Bryce, the first woman to take up the office, is expected to retire and the Prime Minister will announce her appointed replacement.
New Liberal MP David Coleman has recently spoken on the topic, he said “Imagine if you could only get a job at the local bank if your dad had worked there; or if you could only enter Parliament if your mother had held the seat before you. I see no difference in relation to the Head of State. This job should be opened to Australian applicants.”
Buckingham Palace, the current seat of our Head of State, would not comment on the speech but a spokesperson did say “This is a matter for her, and Buckingham Palace will not comment further. In response to any questions about the future of the Monarchy in Australia, Buckingham Palace has always maintained that this is a matter for the people of Australia.”
Shortly after the governor-general’s lecture Professor Geoff Gallop, who is currently the Australian Republican Movement chair has called for a reopening of the debate, saying that “The governor-general has served with distinction as the Queen’s representative, but imagine what a powerful message it would send about this great country that we all love if we had a head of state who represented the Australian people. We will always be friends with Britain, but now we should be equals. We need an unambiguous, independent national identity that reflects and celebrates our freedom, our unity, our values of the fair go and our place in the world.”
The full speech will be available on ABC this Sunday.
You can see where Australians stand on this issue, with the ABC’s Vote Compass results.
via ABC and
The Australian
