Republican movement launch new ‘head of state’ model

Australia’s Republican movement have released their planned changes to the Constitution.
Under the model, a “head of state” would be elected from a pool of up to 11 candidates.
Three nominations would come from the Australian parliament, and one from each state and territory.
They would be elected, via a preferential voting system, for a fixed term of five years.
Law professor at the University of Queensland and advisor to the Australian Republican movement, Graeme Orr said the head of state would essentially have the same powers as the current Governor-General.
“As the Queensland Governor put it, some of it’s constitutional, some of it’s ceremonial, and some of it’s (a) community role,” he said to Tom Elliott, filling in for Neil Mitchell on 3AW Mornings.
“Now, simplified … for the first time our Constitution will mention the existence of a Prime Minister.
“So you’ll be able to read the Constitution at school and understand how it’s meant to work.
“(They) do have less power in the sense that they wouldn’t be able to dismiss a Prime Minister who has the confidence of the lower house of parliament.”
Press PLAY to hear more about the plans for an Australian Republic below
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