donkeypunchd
Club Legend
- Nov 26, 2016
- 1,779
- 3,421
- AFL Club
- Melbourne
The issue of Republic vs Monarchy is an endless one for Australia. While defeat for one side may quiet the opposition for some time, the question will eventually reassert itself.
Taking this into consideration alongside Ireland’s history as a British colony, the Irish Presidency has some validity as an alternative model for head of state in the Australian Commonwealth.
Bunreacht na hÉireann, the Irish constitution, circumscribes the president’s power in favour of the executive; there are however some key powers that the President possesses, for instance the power to refer legislation to the Supreme Court to test its legality prior to signing it into law, besides being head of state and Commander in Chief of the Irish Defence Forces. The Irish President is also barred from commenting on political issues by the government, eliminating the dual loyalties inherent in the Governor General position. The Irish presidency as an institution has proven itself to be robust enough to position itself above politics as a check to the legislature without being unrepresentative of the electorate. It thus presents as a viable model for an alternative head of state to the governor-general and Australia’s status as a dominion .
Taking this into consideration alongside Ireland’s history as a British colony, the Irish Presidency has some validity as an alternative model for head of state in the Australian Commonwealth.
Bunreacht na hÉireann, the Irish constitution, circumscribes the president’s power in favour of the executive; there are however some key powers that the President possesses, for instance the power to refer legislation to the Supreme Court to test its legality prior to signing it into law, besides being head of state and Commander in Chief of the Irish Defence Forces. The Irish President is also barred from commenting on political issues by the government, eliminating the dual loyalties inherent in the Governor General position. The Irish presidency as an institution has proven itself to be robust enough to position itself above politics as a check to the legislature without being unrepresentative of the electorate. It thus presents as a viable model for an alternative head of state to the governor-general and Australia’s status as a dominion .