1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:04,040 Speaker 1: King Charles the third coming to Australia later in the week, 2 00:00:04,120 --> 00:00:07,080 Speaker 1: and that has redded up both the monarchas and the Republicans. 3 00:00:07,120 --> 00:00:11,440 Speaker 1: In fact, the Republicans have Australian Republican Movement have a 4 00:00:11,480 --> 00:00:17,320 Speaker 1: campaign out wave Goodbye to Royal reign with the Farewell Monarchy, 5 00:00:17,360 --> 00:00:22,480 Speaker 1: Farewell OS tour. So it's online. I don't know if 6 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:24,800 Speaker 1: it's going to be on TV, but it's certainly online 7 00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:27,840 Speaker 1: and you can check it out there. But it's tongue 8 00:00:27,840 --> 00:00:29,880 Speaker 1: in cheek. I suppose are we ready to get rid 9 00:00:29,960 --> 00:00:32,479 Speaker 1: of the royals as head of state? King Charles is 10 00:00:32,479 --> 00:00:35,320 Speaker 1: actually our head of state. Day to day functions of 11 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:41,040 Speaker 1: that reside with the Governor General and governors in the States. 12 00:00:41,960 --> 00:00:43,720 Speaker 1: I tend to take the view on this that our 13 00:00:43,720 --> 00:00:46,800 Speaker 1: system works perfectly well. I don't care that King Charles 14 00:00:46,960 --> 00:00:51,160 Speaker 1: is King of Britain because the Governor General does everything 15 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:53,520 Speaker 1: and the system works. But let's have a chat about 16 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:58,000 Speaker 1: that with Nathan Hansford, who is co chair Australian republic Movement. Nathan, 17 00:00:58,040 --> 00:00:59,920 Speaker 1: good morning, thank you for your time this morning. 18 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:01,080 Speaker 2: Thanks Matthew. 19 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:03,080 Speaker 1: Why should we wave goodbye to the monarchy? 20 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:06,520 Speaker 2: Oh? Look, we think it's a great chance to have 21 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:08,440 Speaker 2: a bit of a think about that as a country, 22 00:01:08,600 --> 00:01:11,040 Speaker 2: you'd probably be surprised to know that. Actually you said 23 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:13,920 Speaker 2: it before, that King Charles is our head of state. 24 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:17,560 Speaker 2: But actually from our research, over forty percent of Australians 25 00:01:17,560 --> 00:01:19,840 Speaker 2: actually don't know that. So we think it's a wonderful 26 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:22,440 Speaker 2: chance at the moment, with King Charles traveling here at 27 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:24,679 Speaker 2: the end of the week and being in one state 28 00:01:24,680 --> 00:01:26,640 Speaker 2: and territory next week, to really have a bit of 29 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:29,760 Speaker 2: a think about. Look, who are we as a country 30 00:01:29,920 --> 00:01:33,640 Speaker 2: in twenty twenty four where modern Australia. Shouldn't we be 31 00:01:33,680 --> 00:01:36,440 Speaker 2: represented by one of us who's accountable to us, not 32 00:01:36,480 --> 00:01:38,119 Speaker 2: a distant king, but we. 33 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:40,520 Speaker 1: Are We do have exactly that in the Governor General, 34 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:43,319 Speaker 1: who performs all those head of state duties. 35 00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:46,399 Speaker 2: Well, this is the argument that the monarchists make all 36 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 2: the time. But I mean our constitution says very clearly, Well, 37 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:52,520 Speaker 2: it's not a fact. Our constitution says very clearly that 38 00:01:52,600 --> 00:01:54,720 Speaker 2: the king is our head of state represented by the 39 00:01:54,760 --> 00:01:55,840 Speaker 2: Governor General in Australia. 40 00:01:56,520 --> 00:01:58,400 Speaker 1: All right, but does it matter? I mean, we've got 41 00:01:58,400 --> 00:02:02,760 Speaker 1: that person who's the and you want to be responsible, Well, I. 42 00:02:02,720 --> 00:02:05,080 Speaker 2: Think it does matter. I mean from our perspective. From 43 00:02:05,080 --> 00:02:07,960 Speaker 2: my perspective, our head of state really needs to be 44 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:11,320 Speaker 2: one of us, an Australian, somebody who's selected on merit, 45 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:14,560 Speaker 2: has the skills to do the job, is living here. 46 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:17,600 Speaker 2: We haven't had a head of state travel to Australia 47 00:02:17,600 --> 00:02:19,880 Speaker 2: for over ten years, so I think it really needs 48 00:02:19,880 --> 00:02:23,240 Speaker 2: to be somebody who's accountable to us and working for Australians. 49 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:25,680 Speaker 2: I was fighting some fires with the Royal Fire Service 50 00:02:25,680 --> 00:02:28,160 Speaker 2: back in twenty nineteen twenty twenty, and it would have 51 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:30,440 Speaker 2: been wonderful for an Aussie heead of State to be 52 00:02:30,480 --> 00:02:32,560 Speaker 2: able to visit parts of the country that were really 53 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:35,280 Speaker 2: devastated by those fires. We certainly didn't have that with 54 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:35,919 Speaker 2: the King. 55 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:38,400 Speaker 1: Okay, did the Governor General come out? 56 00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:43,000 Speaker 2: I think the Governor General toured around, but again he's 57 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:47,640 Speaker 2: the representative now she's representative of the monarch. They are 58 00:02:47,680 --> 00:02:48,400 Speaker 2: not out heead of state. 59 00:02:48,720 --> 00:02:54,240 Speaker 1: Okay. The fact that we've got this setup and it 60 00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:56,760 Speaker 1: is a bit awkward, I don't disagree with that. You know, 61 00:02:56,840 --> 00:03:01,160 Speaker 1: the King reside, Queen whoever resides in the UK certainly 62 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:04,520 Speaker 1: had a state over there and here with the Governor 63 00:03:04,560 --> 00:03:08,280 Speaker 1: General as the representative and governors in the States. If 64 00:03:08,320 --> 00:03:12,760 Speaker 1: we had a successful referendum and we ditched the monarchy, 65 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:16,560 Speaker 1: what does it look like then, should we the people 66 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 1: elect the governor general I'd be or the president I'd 67 00:03:19,360 --> 00:03:22,040 Speaker 1: be strongly opposed to that. For instance, I think the 68 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:25,040 Speaker 1: way it works now in that person being appointed is 69 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:26,600 Speaker 1: how it should work into the future. 70 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:29,360 Speaker 2: What are your thoughts, well, I mean that was what 71 00:03:29,840 --> 00:03:31,760 Speaker 2: was put to the people back in nineteen ninety nine 72 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:34,640 Speaker 2: at the referendum, wasn't it? So that wasn't wasn't successful. 73 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:36,680 Speaker 2: What We've done a lot of research and spoken to 74 00:03:36,720 --> 00:03:39,200 Speaker 2: a lot of people around the country, and whilst I 75 00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:42,160 Speaker 2: think it's fair to say that not everyone is numbered 76 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:45,640 Speaker 2: with politicians at the moment, there's very definitely a drive 77 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:49,960 Speaker 2: for Australians to have their say on who becomes their 78 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:53,200 Speaker 2: head of states. So you know, they need to be 79 00:03:53,240 --> 00:03:55,600 Speaker 2: a shortlisting of folks and that could well be done 80 00:03:55,600 --> 00:04:00,160 Speaker 2: by different parliaments, but definitely Australians a very keen to 81 00:04:00,200 --> 00:04:01,840 Speaker 2: have their say in who is their head of state. 82 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:04,920 Speaker 1: You'd have politicians going for that. I can tell you 83 00:04:04,960 --> 00:04:07,280 Speaker 1: who'd want to be head of state under an elected system. 84 00:04:07,320 --> 00:04:09,480 Speaker 1: You'd have the likes of Kevin Rudd at Malcolm Turnbule 85 00:04:09,520 --> 00:04:12,200 Speaker 1: going head to head. We don't need that in this country. 86 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 1: Let the government decide look cabin at the side as 87 00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:17,240 Speaker 1: happens now, the Opposition generally take off on it and 88 00:04:17,279 --> 00:04:17,800 Speaker 1: the way we go. 89 00:04:19,160 --> 00:04:21,039 Speaker 2: There's a lot of different options for how we might 90 00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:22,320 Speaker 2: select the head of state. But like I said, I 91 00:04:22,320 --> 00:04:24,840 Speaker 2: think Australians really want to have their say. And let's 92 00:04:24,880 --> 00:04:27,119 Speaker 2: be quite honest, if Australians did get to have their say, 93 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:29,919 Speaker 2: they may not elect a politician. In fact, I'm pretty 94 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:33,280 Speaker 2: sure they probably wouldn't. There is an amazing array of 95 00:04:33,279 --> 00:04:36,960 Speaker 2: Australians out there and I can imagine there are plenty 96 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:39,120 Speaker 2: of Australians would make an amazing head of state. 97 00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:41,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, but the ones you'd want to get the you know, 98 00:04:41,960 --> 00:04:45,120 Speaker 1: the David Hurleys and Sam Mustin's of the world and 99 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:48,960 Speaker 1: Preda said, the Peter Cosgrove. So these people wouldn't put 100 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:51,680 Speaker 1: themselves up for election and they're the ones you want 101 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:52,680 Speaker 1: as our head of state. 102 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:55,320 Speaker 2: Well, it wouldn't necessarily be off. They need to put 103 00:04:55,320 --> 00:04:57,960 Speaker 2: themselves up for election. They certainly agreed prior to being 104 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:01,640 Speaker 2: appointed that they would be very happy to take on 105 00:05:01,680 --> 00:05:03,800 Speaker 2: those roles. So if there was a short listing, I 106 00:05:03,839 --> 00:05:06,920 Speaker 2: would expect it would be absolutely those types of eminent 107 00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:08,200 Speaker 2: Australians would be put forward. 108 00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:10,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, I don't know. I think emin and Australians are 109 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:13,400 Speaker 1: eminent because they don't they don't put themselves forward frankly 110 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:18,000 Speaker 1: and get appointed rather, and from this is why it 111 00:05:18,040 --> 00:05:21,440 Speaker 1: won't work. I think you'll change if you want Australians 112 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:25,680 Speaker 1: to elect somebody. I don't think that'll ever get up. 113 00:05:25,920 --> 00:05:28,200 Speaker 1: Is my personal view, but interesting to see and at 114 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:31,080 Speaker 1: the moment it's not even under consideration, so we'll see 115 00:05:31,080 --> 00:05:32,599 Speaker 1: what happens. Nathan, appreciate your time. 116 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:34,480 Speaker 2: Thanks very much, Mattie, thank you. 117 00:05:34,600 --> 00:05:38,440 Speaker 1: Let's talk to the monarchist Philip Benwell, National Chair Australian 118 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:43,320 Speaker 1: Monaricus League. Philip, good morning, good morning. What's this week 119 00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:45,599 Speaker 1: an opportunity for Australians to do? Should we wave goodbye 120 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:48,200 Speaker 1: to the monarchy? The monarchy? I suspect I know your answer. 121 00:05:49,440 --> 00:05:54,800 Speaker 3: Well, I think it's very dis respectful because the king 122 00:05:54,880 --> 00:05:59,640 Speaker 3: has been officially invited by the government to tour Australia. 123 00:06:00,200 --> 00:06:04,800 Speaker 3: I mean, people don't know that he cannot visit Australia 124 00:06:05,320 --> 00:06:09,760 Speaker 3: unless he receives an invitation from the government. That is 125 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:14,760 Speaker 3: the convention. He received the invitation. He is an honored 126 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:22,240 Speaker 3: guest as King of Australia and to say it's a 127 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:29,080 Speaker 3: farewell talk is not only disrespectful, it's very sad given 128 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:33,159 Speaker 3: his serious health condition. The Republican should know better. 129 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:39,160 Speaker 1: You've put out a pull and you find that less 130 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:44,200 Speaker 1: than half of the population is I'm trying to read 131 00:06:44,200 --> 00:06:46,800 Speaker 1: this the right way, indicating forty five percent of Australian's 132 00:06:46,880 --> 00:06:50,039 Speaker 1: oppose the establishment of a republic. So the majority are 133 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:52,919 Speaker 1: in favor. It seems no. 134 00:06:54,600 --> 00:07:02,200 Speaker 3: Thirty something supporter republic and the rest are undecided. So 135 00:07:02,279 --> 00:07:07,719 Speaker 3: the majority vote is for retaining the system of constitutional monarchy. 136 00:07:09,080 --> 00:07:13,040 Speaker 3: I mean, the fact is we are a constitutional monarchy. 137 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:17,440 Speaker 3: Our constitution is based on the crown and that is 138 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:25,320 Speaker 3: what provides stability and security. Even though politicians may create 139 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:32,280 Speaker 3: turmoil in government, the system of government remains and that's very, 140 00:07:32,440 --> 00:07:36,120 Speaker 3: very important, and that's why we have not had a 141 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:43,680 Speaker 3: political crisis, sorry, a constitutional crisis since nineteen hundred and one. 142 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:48,920 Speaker 3: When the constitution came into being in nineteen seventy five, 143 00:07:49,760 --> 00:07:56,720 Speaker 3: was a political crisis resolved by the Governor General using 144 00:07:57,240 --> 00:08:02,040 Speaker 3: the Constitution to settle matters and put the matter to 145 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:02,600 Speaker 3: the people. 146 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:06,360 Speaker 1: And he had advice from the High Court's Chief Justice 147 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:08,240 Speaker 1: at the time as well, didn't he in taking that action? 148 00:08:09,320 --> 00:08:13,240 Speaker 3: Yes, and was criticized for it. But then I mean, 149 00:08:13,280 --> 00:08:17,560 Speaker 3: why shouldn't he seek advice from outside the government when 150 00:08:17,640 --> 00:08:23,080 Speaker 3: the government is refusing to do as he had requested. 151 00:08:24,720 --> 00:08:28,200 Speaker 3: But because that's some time ago and times have passed. 152 00:08:29,160 --> 00:08:32,920 Speaker 3: But the fact is, I think large crowds will come 153 00:08:32,960 --> 00:08:38,319 Speaker 3: out to welcome the king. I hope that the British 154 00:08:38,360 --> 00:08:43,240 Speaker 3: Republicans with their abolished the monarchy and not my king 155 00:08:43,360 --> 00:08:48,800 Speaker 3: placards won't create a problem. I mean, let them protest 156 00:08:48,920 --> 00:08:51,880 Speaker 3: in the United Kingdom, but they shouldn't be coming over 157 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:57,920 Speaker 3: here and protesting on our soil with the visit of 158 00:08:58,400 --> 00:09:00,680 Speaker 3: the king. Who is King of Australia? 159 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:04,800 Speaker 1: Is that up to I mean, I appreciate what you 160 00:09:04,840 --> 00:09:07,600 Speaker 1: say about the constitution and the crown being the head 161 00:09:07,600 --> 00:09:12,480 Speaker 1: of state under our constitution, but King of Australia is 162 00:09:12,760 --> 00:09:14,840 Speaker 1: that a term that sits well with people? Do you think? 163 00:09:16,360 --> 00:09:22,920 Speaker 3: Well? Under the constitution the king is de facto King 164 00:09:23,080 --> 00:09:30,200 Speaker 3: of Australia. George the six was considered to be King 165 00:09:30,280 --> 00:09:37,160 Speaker 3: of Australia due to his coronation oath that we also 166 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:42,680 Speaker 3: have the Row, Stars and Titles Act of nineteen seventy three, 167 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:51,920 Speaker 3: which declared that the Queen was Queen of Australia and 168 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:55,280 Speaker 3: the King of course has inherited that title as King 169 00:09:55,440 --> 00:09:56,319 Speaker 3: of Australia. 170 00:09:56,720 --> 00:09:59,160 Speaker 1: As you said, nineteen seventy five was a long time ago. 171 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:02,560 Speaker 1: Seventy three to ted longer? Is all that still relevant 172 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:03,480 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty four? 173 00:10:04,679 --> 00:10:08,120 Speaker 3: Well, the acts are still relevant. I mean many Acts 174 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:16,400 Speaker 3: of Parliament were created in the eighteenth nineteenth century and 175 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:17,640 Speaker 3: they are still relevant. 176 00:10:18,559 --> 00:10:22,679 Speaker 1: All right, Philip Benwell, appreciate your time today. Now, King 177 00:10:22,800 --> 00:10:25,000 Speaker 1: Charles Sydney and Melbourne only, isn't it for memory not 178 00:10:25,040 --> 00:10:26,440 Speaker 1: coming to Adelaide? I know that much. 179 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:32,920 Speaker 3: Yes, he it's mainly based in Sydney. One day in 180 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:38,640 Speaker 3: camera and we have to remember that the King is 181 00:10:38,679 --> 00:10:43,800 Speaker 3: not well. He's undertaking an arduous journey and of a 182 00:10:44,520 --> 00:10:50,880 Speaker 3: crowded schedule of activities before he goes on to Samoa 183 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:56,480 Speaker 3: to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, and he needs 184 00:10:56,559 --> 00:11:03,640 Speaker 3: to be close to medical attention. And I think it's 185 00:11:03,720 --> 00:11:07,679 Speaker 3: very brave of him to make the journey to Australia, 186 00:11:08,320 --> 00:11:14,360 Speaker 3: which is the first Commonwealth country to be visited by 187 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:15,880 Speaker 3: the King as King. 188 00:11:16,679 --> 00:11:17,800 Speaker 1: Appreciate your time, Philip. 189 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:20,280 Speaker 3: Thank you, Okay, thank you very much. 190 00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:22,880 Speaker 1: Philip Benwell, National Chair Australian Monica's leg