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Republicanism: Review of Issues and Summary of the Republic Advisory Committee Report

Republicanism: Review of Issues and Summary of the Republic Advisory Committee Report

Advice on legislation or legal policy issues contained in this paper is provided for use in parliamentary debate and for related parliamentary purposes. This paper is not professional legal opinion.
Briefing Note No. 05/1994 by Gareth Griffith

This paper canvasses the major issues and arguments surrounding the contemporary debate for and against alteration of the Australian Constitution for the purpose of establishing a republican head of state. The sounding board for many of these issues and arguments is the Report of the Republic Advisory Committee, An Australian Republic-The Options. 

The more general themes of the republican debate are considered first. Next comes a summary of the main points of the Committee's report, followed by a survey of comments and responses to it. 

References in this paper to the 'Constitution' relate to the Commonwealth Constitution.

The Parliament of New South Wales acknowledges and respects the traditional lands of all Aboriginal people, and pays respects to all Elders past and present. We acknowledge the Gadigal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which the Parliament of New South Wales stands.