An Australian Republic in 1901

[DMA]

So what if the Australian Prime Minister, on 1st January 1901, the day when Australia became a nation, announced at the celebrations, that the British could clear off home as his first decision as PM was to declare Australia a republic.

What happens?

[DMA]

So what if the Australian Prime Minister, on 1st January 1901, the day when Australia became a nation, announced at the celebrations, that the British could clear off home as his first decision as PM was to declare Australia a republic.

What happens?

Impossible. The Australian Constitution won’t allow it. Besides, even today, any decision to become a republic must go to a referendum under Section 128 of the Constitution.

[DMA]

Impossible. The Australian Constitution won’t allow it. Besides, even today, any decision to become a republic must go to a referendum under Section 128 of the Constitution.


I don’t think you understood what I meant. In this instance the PM just decides to announce it before all that takes effect.

[DMA]

I don’t think you understood what I meant. In this instance the PM just decides to announce it before all that takes effect.


The Australian Constitution was already in effect before Australian officially became a nation.

[DMA]

The Australian Constitution was already in effect before Australian officially became a nation.


So the PM simply gets the support from all of the other Founding Fathers. They simply make this republican declaration akin to the American Founding Fathers.

[DMA]

So the PM simply gets the support from all of the other Founding Fathers. They simply make this republican declaration akin to the American Founding Fathers.


He’ll get the support from about half a dozen of the Australian Founding Fathers. That means something like over a hundred plus others will disagree as they were all against a republic - especially if it was to be anything like the US one.

[DMA]

He’ll get the support from about half a dozen of the Australian Founding Fathers. That means something like over a hundred plus others will disagree as they were all against a republic - especially if it was to be anything like the US one.


That’s only because most of our Founding Fathers thought it was better to go the way of a Dominion. Most thought, if they went for a republic, regardless of model, Britain would simply say no.

[DMA]

That’s only because most of our Founding Fathers thought it was better to go the way of a Dominion. Most thought, if they went for a republic, regardless of model, Britain would simply say no.


It’s not only Britain who would say no, but also most of the Australian population. At least 50% were not local but British born. Plus something like 60% of the Founding Fathers were likewise British born

[DMA]

It’s not only Britain who would say no, but also most of the Australian population. At least 50% were not local but British born. Plus something like 60% of the Founding Fathers were likewise British born


Ah, but you miss the fact that a sizeable number of "British born" were also Irish, who weren’t overly fond of the British. Indeed they were always causing trouble wherever they were, including Australia.

[DMA]

Ah, but you miss the fact that a sizeable number of "British born" were also Irish, who weren’t overly fond of the British. Indeed they were always causing trouble wherever they were, including Australia.


The "independent" minded Irish number was a low percentage in Australia at the time. And all this is still despite the fact that the Constitution won’t permit some self declared republic by anyone, other than through the Australian People voting yes in a referendum.

[DMA]

The "independent" minded Irish number was a low percentage in Australia at the time. And all this is still despite the fact that the Constitution won’t permit some self declared republic by anyone, other than through the Australian People voting yes in a referendum.


Well the PM then declares a revolution, a call to arms, for the Australian People to rally behind in order to kick out the nefarious British overlords.

[DMA]

Well the PM then declares a revolution, a call to arms, for the Australian People to rally behind in order to kick out the nefarious British overlords.


Then the Governor-General will, not only sack the PM on his first day in Office, but will order out the army to suppress any uprising. It won’t last long. If indeed anyone does take arms against the British, which I utterly doubt.

[DMA]

Then the Governor-General will, not only sack the PM on his first day in Office, but will order out the army to suppress any uprising. It won’t last long. If indeed anyone does take arms against the British, which I utterly doubt.


That’s only if the army follows the orders of the Governor-General. Afterall it’s the PM who’s in charge in reality.

[DMA]

That’s only if the army follows the orders of the Governor-General. Afterall it’s the PM who’s in charge in reality.

Not according to the Constitution. Section 68 clearly states:

The command in chief of the naval and military forces of the Commonwealth is vested in the Governor-General as the Queen’s representative.


BTW it’s spelt "after all", not "afterall"

[DMA]

Not according to the Constitution. Section 68 clearly states:




BTW it’s spelt "after all", not "afterall"


Yet you forget Section 62 which clearly states:


There shall be a Federal Executive Council to advise the Governor-General in the government of the Commonwealth, and the members of the Council shall be chosen and summoned by the Governor-General and sworn as Executive Councillors, and shall hold office during his pleasure.


In other words the G-G can’t do anything without the advice coming from Cabinet & the PM.


Plus this isn’t an English department at the local uni. So don’t be so pedantic about my spelling. :p

[DMA]

Yet you forget Section 62 which clearly states:





In other words the G-G can’t do anything without the advice coming from Cabinet & the PM.


Plus this isn’t an English department at the local uni. So don’t be so pedantic about my spelling. :p


Let us look at Section 62 shall we? It clearly states that "members of the Council shall be chosen and summoned by the Governor-General". In other words the Governor-General still has the final say at the end of the day.


And if you can’t spell then don’t come onto the internet where spelling means everything. :p

[DMA]

Let us look at Section 62 shall we? It clearly states that "members of the Council shall be chosen and summoned by the Governor-General". In other words the Governor-General still has the final say at the end of the day.


And if you can’t spell then don’t come onto the internet where spelling means everything. :p


You do know you’re at AH.Com don’t you? This is an ALTERNATE HISTORY website! It isn’t some academic history department at some posh university! :rolleyes:

[DMA]

You do know you’re at AH.Com don’t you? This is an ALTERNATE HISTORY website! It isn’t an academic history of some posh university! :rolleyes:


What has that got to do with it? :rolleyes:

[DMA]

What has that got to do with it? :rolleyes:


Well it’s pretty clear that you’re at the wrong place!!!! ;)

[DMA]

Well it’s pretty clear that you’re at the wrong place!!!! ;)


Say that to my face arsewipe :mad:

[DMA]

Say that to my face arsewipe :mad:


Oh I know you name - I know where you live! I’ll drag your arse outside to the back of the dunny & belt the crap outta ya :mad::mad:

[DMA]

Oh I know you name - I know where you live! I’ll drag your arse outside to the back of the dunny & belt the crap outta ya :mad::mad:


Bring it on sunshine!!!! :mad::mad::mad::mad:

[CCA]

What.
The.
Hell.

[rcduggan]

is that a glitch or were you arguing with yourself for two pages? :eek::confused:

[Matt]

Well... that was rather interesting.

So, what would be needed to bring a republican revolution to Australia in 1901? Obviously there would need to be changes before 1900, and I sincerely doubt that the British Parliament will go around with similar legislation that ignited the American Revolution.

[DMA]

is that a glitch or were you arguing with yourself for two pages? :eek::confused:


Well DMA started the arguement, not me... :D

[DMA]

Well... that was rather interesting.

So, what would be needed to bring a republican revolution to Australia in 1901? Obviously there would need to be changes before 1900, and I sincerely doubt that the British Parliament will go around with similar legislation that ignited the American Revolution.


I would say that some sought of republican movement would have to start in the 1830s. That's probably the best point to start from as the local born, known as Cornstalks, outnumbered immigrants for the first time. As a result an "Australian" movement began which, it has been argued, finally lead to nationhood in 1901. So if that group was also republican in nature, it could help in establishing a republic in 1901.

Essentially, though, other factors would have to come into play. The Gold Rush era, for example, is one. So if the Eureka Stockade business was more successful, for the miners, that could add extra spark to any republican movement. Similarly if more Americans stayed here, after the Gold Rush days, that could add some real numbers to any republican movement.

But fundamentally it requires the Founding Fathers to not run scared at Britain saying no to a republic. In fact they believed that if they came up with such a proposal, Britain would not only say no to a republic, but any question over achieving nationhood in 1901 would be delayed by several decades, if not completely lost altogether.

[LacheyS]

DMA, it isn't Christmas yet....lay off the sherry! :p

[DMA]

DMA, it isn't Christmas yet....lay off the sherry! :p


It was Irish Whisky actually... ;)

But that was the previous night. I did all those posts completely sober at 6am this morning

[HARRY]

[QUOTE][Well the PM then declares a revolution, a call to arms, for the Australian People to rally behind in order to kick out the nefarious British overlords./QUOTE]

That is the whole problem the damn Pommys in London refused to act the part. They had the audacity to let the various colonys have self government with just a show case Governor who was usually a minor royal who had been a bad boy. Plus we were thrashing them in cricket on a regular basis (nothing much has changed) so we did not seemed threated by them.

What we were afraid of was the "Yellow hordes" to the north that the Royal Navy and the bastion of Singapore offered us protection from. As it was when 40 years later there was an actual threat from the north the Navy was busy elsewhere and the guns were aimed the wrong way, but we were still thrashing them in cricket so we kept the jack in the corner.;)

[Mr J]

Right..... I think that DMA has finally snapped. :eek::D

[DMA]

Right..... I think that DMA has finally snapped. :eek::D


Now where's Aussie made nuke. I know it's in my study somewheres... :D

[Fabilius]

DMA, how about actually responding to any of DMA's questions in stead of just going around the subject

[DMA]

[QUOTE][Well the PM then declares a revolution, a call to arms, for the Australian People to rally behind in order to kick out the nefarious British overlords./QUOTE]

That is the whole problem the damn Pommys in London refused to act the part. They had the audacity to let the various colonys have self government with just a show case Governor who was usually a minor royal who had been a bad boy. Plus we were thrashing them in cricket on a regular basis (nothing much has changed) so we did not seemed threated by them.

What we were afraid of was the "Yellow hordes" to the north that the Royal Navy and the bastion of Singapore offered us protection from. As it was when 40 years later there was an actual threat from the north the Navy was busy elsewhere and the guns were aimed the wrong way, but we were still thrashing them in cricket so we kept the jack in the corner.;)


A Yellow horde invasion eh? That'd make for a sticky wicket. But all we need is for Warne to send down a few googlies & that'll fix 'em. ;)

[DMA]

DMA, how about actually responding to any of DMA's questions in stead of just going around the subject


I'm not talking to DMA any more as all he wants to do is argue all the time. But he'll keep ;)