Peter FitzSimons unveils new model to remove Queen as head of state in Australia

Just weeks before the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne, a new plan to ditch her as head of state has been unveiled.

A new plan to remove the Queen as head of state has been mooted by the leading group in favour of Australia becoming a republic, sending the message that in the twilight of the 95-year-old’s reign, the British monarchy’s global reach is diminishing.

Speaking today, just weeks before the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next month, head of the Australian Republic Movement Peter FitzSimons unveiled the preferred model under which the nation would appoint a new head of state.

He said it was time Australian voters had “a merit-based choice about who speaks for them as head of state”, which would not only see the Queen pushed out, but give the process of appointing a prime minister a shake up.

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The 95-year-old is approaching her Platinum Jubilee. Picture: Getty Images.

Australian Republic Movement chair Peter FitzSimons unveiled the model on Wednesday. Picture: AAP Image.

Under the newly-developed method, federal, state and territory parliaments would nominate a shortlist of candidates for head of state, which would then be put to a national ballot of voters.

The ballot winner would get a five-year term and would be responsible for appointing a prime minister with majority support in the House of Representatives, or calling an election if that support does not exist.

The head of state, however, would have no authority in day-to-day governance or passing laws.

Mr FitzSimons said the ‘Australian Choice’ model — which was developed across a two-year period with more than 10,000 Australians consulted — brought responsibility to citizens and a new generation of voters to elect their own leaders.

“We needed a new model for a new century and a new generation and this is it – one to put before the 5 million voting Australians who were too young, and in some cases not even born, to vote in the last referendum,” he said of the 1999 vote.

The Queen will become the first British monarch to celebrate a 70-year reign on February 6, 2022.

“The decision will be in their hands, unlike now, where it is luck of the draw who we get from the British Royal Family.”

Prince Charles, 73, is the first in line to succeed the throne ahead of his son Prince William, 39.

According to the movement’s research, 73 per cent of Australians would vote for a republic if the model was put to a referendum.

It also found 92 per cent of Australians are open to the idea of a republic, with just eight per cent opposed to any change.

The announcement comes shortly after Barbados successfully voted to become independent of the Commonwealth in November last year, with many speculating at the time that it was a sign Australia could be next.

Barbados’ move a huge sign for Australia

In November last year, Barbados announced it would cut ties with the British monarchy to become a republic, with observers suggesting Australia might be next.

Professor Hilary Beckles, a Barbadian historian, called the event — on the eve of Barbados’ 55th anniversary of independence — “a historic moment” with far-reaching significance.

For Barbados, the Caribbean and all postcolonial societies, it represents freedom from the “tyranny of imperial and colonial authority”, and the “brutal legacy” of slavery and genocidal oppression, he said.

“History has given Barbados this responsibility to move forward into the 21st century” with pride, dignity and honour, he added, calling Tuesday, November 30, “a democracy day”.

Charles’ controversy could see more countries move on

The Queen has consistently been the most popular royal in Britain and beyond, and is seen as the symbol of the country post-war as well as the last living link to its imperial past.

When the succession comes, with the more controversial Charles lacking that history, experts predict the republican question will be asked with more urgency in Commonwealth countries — and even possibly in the UK.

Charles, Prince of Wales, is next in line to the throne. Picture: Getty Images.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, is second. Picture: AFP.

Joe Little, the managing editor of Majesty Magazine said the push for an elected head of state was more than likely in places such as Australia and to a lesser extent Canada.

Australians last voted on the issue in November 1999, but the proposal did not pass.

Graham Smith, from the antimonarchy pressure group Republic, said Barbados’ move was “useful” to demonstrate that ditching constitutional monarchy can be done easily.

– With AAP