GG and Queen had close links on the republic push

The unlocking of correspondence between Australian governors-general and the Queen takes on a special significance with the rekindling of debate about how Australia should become a republic. In a series of reports, senior writer Troy Bramston has peeled back the extent to which the British royal establishment has been kept vitally abreast of political developments in the far-flung colony and how best to safeguard the Queen’s position in Australian political life.

The language used to describe former prime ministers and their political shortcomings or misfortunes demonstrates how those appointed to the post have been quick to swing to royal service, regardless of what their earlier positions regarding a republic may have been. Correspondence between the governors-general and the Queen is couched in the plain language of diplomatic cables, the sort of blunt assessments that have caused embarrassment to other embassies when supposedly private advice has been made public. As Bramston reports, the secret vice-regal letters to the Queen have been made accessible by the National Archives of Australia. This is despite the authors being told their advice would not be made public, at least until many years after the Queen’s death. Given the role of the governor-general and the special powers vested in the position via the Crown, the royal correspondence is of special interest. As we have noted, examination of more than 1000 pages of letters between Richard Casey, Paul Hasluck, Zelman Cowen and Ninian Stephen and Buckingham Palace showcases robust commentary on the nation’s politics and its leaders. As Bramston writes on Tuesday, the issue of a republic is specifically dealt with in letters drafted by Bill Hayden, who in earlier correspondence had offered his plain assessment of Bob Hawke’s larrikin style and popularity that “defied rational understanding” as his government faced “electoral disaster”. With Mr Hawke deposed by Paul Keating, Mr Hayden warned the Queen that a push for Australia to become a republic could be used to take attention away from economic concerns.

Bramston writes that Mr Hayden advised Buckingham Palace on “how to handle” Paul Keating as the then prime minister launched his crusade for Australia to become a republic and was scheduled to meet the Queen at Balmoral in September 1993. Mr Hayden suggested Mr Keating might use the “tactic” of conveying the impression that the Queen “is comfortable about Australia becoming a republic” and thereby effectively “endorsing” Australia severing constitutional links with the UK.

In July 1991, Mr Hayden offered to provide the Queen with suggestions on what could be done. In April 1992, Mr Hayden frankly told the Queen that there had been an “erosion of support for the role of the Crown” in Australia and “recent publicity” concerning members of the royal family had also caused “much damage” to the “mystique” of the royal family as an institution. Mr Hayden sent the Queen opinion polls, speeches and articles, along with legal advice from solicitor-general Gavan Griffith on constitutional changes, that was welcomed in London.

It is not unreasonable to expect that similarly frank correspondence is still exchanged. Given the military background of current Governor-General David Hurley, the language probably differs from that of former politician and jilted prime ministerial hopeful Mr Hayden. But the tone and contents of earlier correspondence amplify the need for Australia to more determinedly chart its own course with a citizen as head of state. It all adds to the disappointment of opportunity missed in the most recent and overly politicised blueprint offered by the Australian Republican Movement on how the nation can choose its head of state.