Monarchist Boasts That The Crown Divides Australia By Creed

In a debate with ARM Chair Peter FitzSimons on The Roundtable on ABC Radio National today, Josh Manuatu, a National Councillor of the Australian Monarchist League, who is also Federal President of the Young Liberals, said:

"There is a divinity of the sovereign."

And: 

"The Church of England, and Christianity generally but especially in the Church of England, believes that the sovereign is gifted that for by God ... I believe that." 

(Extract below – audio at https://abcmedia.akamaized.net/rn/podcast/2018/11/rte_20181104_0930.mp3 

beginning 18' 25") 

There is no place in modern Australia for institutions that divide us on religious grounds. Australian citizens, of any faith and no faith, are all equal here. 

Republic supporters believe that our constitution and laws should reflect this. This is urgent and important business to unify our nation.

Australian Monarchists clearly disagree, however.

This is a disgraceful statement of sectarian sentiment that would have been considered outmoded in this country fifty years ago but sadly reflects rising religious intolerance in our day.

Australians celebrating Diwali this weekend are among the millions of us left out of this divisive and exclusive vision of Australian life.

All Australians are equal and the Constitution should reflect that equality.

Extract

FitzSimons: "Josh, do you believe that being a member of the royal family makes someone special? Better than the run of the mill person? Automatically finer and wiser.

Manuatu: "Well Peter, as you know as a historian, there is a divinity of the sovereign ..."

FitzSimons: "A divinity?"

Presenter: "A divinity? What do you mean by that?"

FitzSimons: "A divinity? Given by God? Are you serious?"

Manuatu: "Absolutely." 

FitzSimons: "I rest my case." 

Presenter: "I want to know what that means though."

FitzSimons: "I have to say this out loud, it takes a lot to gobsmack me, but I am gobsmacked ... the Royal Family is given to us by God? I rest my case ..."

Presenter: "You don't really mean that Josh do you?"

FitzSimons: "I am Just stunned. I can't believe that. There's nowhere to argue on this. You cannot be serious."

Presenter: "Let's just let Josh ... I think he needs some clarification on this."

Manuatu: "Peter knows as a historian - and the fake outrage is all well and good - but you know the Church of England, and Christianity generally but especially in the Church of England, believes that the sovereign is gifted that by God."

Presenter: "And you believe that?"

Manuatu: "Well, I'm a member of the Church of England, so yes I do believe that."