Politics Should Be Left Out of Republic Debate

The Voice to Parliament campaign will be studied for years, but what’s clear is both sides failed our nation – regardless of their good intentions.

Why? Because US-style politics has crept into Australia and was embraced by the campaigns. You’re either with us or against us. If you’re against us we’ll try to destroy, not only your argument, but your career, reputation and future.

Vote No – you’re a “dinosaur or a dickhead”. Vote Yes – you’re an “elite with hidden agendas” or “un-Australian”.

The Voice and the '99 republic campaigns failed on similar issues: partisanship; attacks labelling it as an elites’ model; distraction, fear and doubt; denigration; ego and bias.

Issues created by both sides of the campaigns.

Good people can get caught up in the moment and heat of the campaign, but different people should be able to have different views. They should be free to challenge ideas and debate issues without sinking to petty name calling and personal attacks.

Please tell me it’s not just me who felt sick to the stomach watching this play out.

It’s an obsession with winning at all costs. Genuine debate and bipartisanship are brushed away because it doesn’t win votes, get viewers or deliver the precise policy proposed.

The Parliament is supposed to be about the contest of ideas and finding common ground. And, dare I say, doing what’s in the best interests of the people.

There are many issues which should be above politics: referendums are the perfect example.

Democracies exist to serve the people and act in their best interests. Not the interests of political parties or a chosen few.

There’s no such thing as a perfect democracy, but there are certainly ways to strengthen it.

The first is to embrace the will of the people. Aside from general elections, referendums are the only legally binding mechanism offered to the Australian people to shape how we are governed.

They are complex, hard to win and pricey, but that’s democracy in action. That’s what it takes to bring participatory democracy to the people. It’s what people are dying to achieve and to maintain overseas.

The alternative is to leave it to the politicians to decide and with rising distrust in politics, I don’t think anyone wants that.

Each referendum needs to be taken case-by-case and put to the people on its merits and should be beyond the political fray. 

Our Constitution is an important document, but it's imperfect. The framers weren't Nostradamus.

Today's Australia looks a lot different to that of the late 1800s, so it's appropriate we update the Constitution to reflect current values, who we are as a people and how we want to be governed. 

Just one example, the Constitution talks a lot about the King, but fails to mention the Prime Minister even once – yet which is more relevant to today’s Australia?

The Constitution, and all our laws, should be reviewed and updated from time-to-time to reflect the people who are governed by it.

And referenda are the mechanism for that to occur.

The second way to strengthen a democracy is to move to a republic empowering the people to choose who represents us at the highest level. Democratic processes as opposed to birthright.

One thing is certain after the Voice vote, we are all united in wanting to come together as a country to chart a path forward for Indigenous, European and Multicultural Aussies – because we’re all in this together, all proud to belong, all Australians.

We need someone who understands that, has lived it and is part of it to be our Head of State. They should work full-time and be fully committed to Australia.

The Australian Republic Movement will be holding a series of national, regional and local engagement forums over the coming year to shape the People’s Model for an Australian Republic.

We invite all Australians regardless of their political persuasion, background or whether they support a republic or not to be part of the conversation.

An Australian republic is about electing an Australian to lead our proud and patriotic nation which has faith in itself to take control of our own future.

It’s the opportunity to unite our community, recognise and celebrate our history and people, and look to the future with a positive vision.

Isaac Jeffrey is the National Director and CEO of the Australian Republic Movement.