AusRepublic Updates

National Director’s Report

The outrage over Samantha Mostyn’s appointment as Governor-General is absurd.

And why are people so upset? Because she’s a passionate woman who has spoken out on causes she believes in.

The horror.

Yet we see no fury when Charles champions climate change or William discusses homelessness or Harry goes into bat for veterans and people living with disabilities.

So why the double standard?

Samantha has been called a ‘radical feminist’ as if standing shoulder to shoulder with domestic violence survivors is somehow the wrong thing to do.

She took a position on the Voice, which is apparently wrong, even though we all had to do it – we all had a yes or no choice to make and we made it.

She’s also bizarrely been attacked for not having business skills by at least two major commentators, even though she has a wealth of experience in the corporate sector. But besides that, when did that become a yardstick? The usual procession of Governors-General has been military, judges and politicians, Samantha is the first from the business sector.

So odd. So what really is going on here?

Could it be that the worst ‘mistake’ Samantha has made is that she’s supposedly a supporter of an Australian republic?

Cue the righteous indignation.

Only 8% of Australians are rusted on supporters of the Monarchy. If the new Governor-General is a supporter of Australia becoming a republic, she’d be representing the views of the majority of Aussies – currently over 60% and growing.

And why shouldn’t the Australian Governor-General represent Australian interests?! Why shouldn’t our Governor-General promote our industry and trade, our tourism and our people on the world stage like Charles does for the UK?

Well, that’s because it’s not our Governor-General, it’s the British King’s Governor-General. Samantha Mostyn is about to swear allegiance to a foreign King, not to the interests, laws, constitution or people of Australia.

If there is any outrage about the appointment process it should be on this point alone.

The monarchists are jumping up and down saying the Prime Minister chooses the Governor-General and the King has no say – ignoring the informal stages in the lead up to nominations where the monarch in the past has certainly said no.

But if this is a serious line of attack, and Charles is in fact powerless, then why do we bother keeping him around? What value is he adding? And, why does he need a representative – in a supposedly independent country – at all?

The monarchists can’t have their cake and eat it too. He’s either important and plays a role, or isn’t and doesn’t. Either way, as a proud Aussie, I’d rather we take the reins and control our own destiny.

The outrage caused by the appointment only highlights the need for a better, more democratic way of doing things.

A man 17,000 kilometres away shouldn’t get to appoint our leaders, but rather Aussies should make the call.

Our leaders should represent Australians, not a foreign King.

The Australian Republic Movement wants to partner with all Australians, including the 8% of people who are rusted on monarchy supporters, to create a fairer, more transparent and accountable system.

One where if Australians want to elect someone like Samantha Mostyn as Head of State, they should have that democratic right. They should be able to look at a range of candidates to assess their qualities and experience, and to vote for someone to represent us as a nation and as a people.

If you don’t like the King appointing his Governor-General, then let the Australian people choose.

It’s our country. It’s our future.

This is the moment for someone like Samantha Mostyn to be elected as Australia’s Head of State to represent Aussies, not appointed to represent a foreign King.

This is the moment for an Aussie republic, and if you agree, please consider making a contribution to our movement here.

Regards,

Isaac Jeffrey
National Director & CEO
Australian Republic Movement