Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Thank you, Mr Butler, for uniting Australians on an important matter

By David Flint - posted Thursday, 8 April 2004


Australians all should thank Mr. Richard Butler. He has united Australians across the political spectrum. Whether they are Liberal, National, Labor, Democrat, One Nation, Green or Christian Democrat, they are all saying the same thing.

As Greens leader Senator Bob Brown says, Governors and Governors-General do not take part in political discourse in Australia.

All of the politicians, and all of the commentators, are unanimous. They all support a central theme of the Westminster system as we have received it and adapted it to our needs. This is that at its core there must be an office providing leadership beyond politics. This office must provide a check and balance in the political structure, without the incumbent playing any political role.

Advertisement

We all know that this can be achieved, and has long been achieved, under the Crown.

And it is now for republicans to devise a model, one that ensures that the offices of Governor–General and of Governor can provide this essential check and balance. In this they have failed. To date not one of their many models has measured up to the present constitutional arrangements and to the expectations Australians have of this high office.

As for Mr. Butler, it seems that he has had his last chance.

He has lost the sympathy of many of those who may have initially welcomed his appointment

Labor MHR Harry Quick says his appointment was a mistake. Mr. Latham’s office pointedly would not deny the story that Mr. Butler had asked for the Governor-Generalship.

Gerard Henderson in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald reminded readers of other political interventions and a glaring inconsistency in one. He said Mr. Butler had been photographed in Sydney at a rally against the war in Iraq wearing a purple ribbon for peace.

Advertisement

But on 20 September 2003, in the American newspaper, The Press of Atlantic City, he was reported as supporting the invasion and declaring the overthrow of Saddam, whom he likened to Hitler, was justified. He had also seemed to change his stance on weapons of mass destruction.

His latest intervention was obviously the last straw for those willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

He had said in a speech that Americans reserve the right to go anywhere, any time and beat the living daylights out of anyone who threatens them. The US had, he claimed, torn up international law.

So the new Premier, Paul Lennon, obtained yet another commitment from the Governor that he would not comment on foreign or domestic policy. He had already given one to Mr Bacon, the Premier who had recommended his appointment to The Queen.

In the most public rebuke ever given to a Governor, the Premier said he expected this undertaking to be strictly adhered to.

As we have said, there is one good thing in this sad story: everyone agrees that our system requires that at its heart, there be an institution offering leadership beyond politics and acting as a key check and balance in the structure.

Once again, Your Excellency, thank you for unintentionally achieving this.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. All

This article was first published in Hot News, e-newsletter of Australians for a Constitutional Monarcy.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

David Flint is a former chairman of the Australian Press Council and the Australian Broadcasting Authority, is author of The Twilight of the Elites, and Malice in Media Land, published by Freedom Publishing. His latest monograph is Her Majesty at 80: Impeccable Service in an Indispensable Office, Australians for Constitutional Monarchy, Sydney, 2006

Other articles by this Author

All articles by David Flint
Related Links
Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy
Photo of David Flint
Article Tools
Comment Comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Latest from Australians for Constitutional Monarchy
 The formidable Fred Nile prevails: premier concedes
 Prorogue then intimidate
 The ‘Utegate’ affair and the constitution
 ETS: emissions trading scheme or energy tax swindle?
 Information and media manipulation par excellence
 More...
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy