The statements made in this article are misleading and are not supported in the Referendum Bill. Currently the Prime Minister can dismiss the President at any time, purely by informing the Queen. The Prime Minister does not even have to inform the Parliament, or seek a vote of 'no-confidence' in the President.
The article quotes the National convener of Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy, Prof. David Flint, "In this republic, the prime minister at any time, for any reason or no reason, without notice at all, can dismiss the president". This statement is misleading. The Republic model being put forward at the referendum requires the Prime Minister to first notify the President in writing, and then seek a vote from the House of Representatives to dismiss the President. If this is not received, it is the same as a vote of 'no confidence' in the Prime Minister, who would to resign.
The changes outlined in the bill will make it more difficult than present for the Prime Minister to sack the President. The Prime Minister will not be able to sack the President without reason, as the House of Representatives will not give the required vote. This will force the Prime Minister to resign.
The Young Australians for a Republic believe that the proposed model is an effective way of providing 'checks and balances' to stop the Prime Minister sacking the president "for… no reason". The comments made by Prof. Flint, and cited in the CT article, are a blatant attempt to mislead the public on this issue.
Mathew Ronald
ACT YAR Member,
Young Australians for a Republic
[ mathewronald@hotmail.com ]
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