The letters that weren’t sent
In every way, we are a product of the past, and the tumult of Gough Whitlam’s dismissal in 1975 still reverberates through Australian political discussion today. No less than 45 years after the dismissal of an elected Prime Minister, the Australian public has been permitted to view the discussion that shaped the political landscape for a generation. There is ongoing and lively discussion over the contents and intent of these letters, but the central point cannot be misinterpreted; the dismissal of an elected Prime Minister in Australia was justified on the basis of a British institution. The young, the old, the newly Australian, must take this opportunity to ask why in a time of great strain the Australian Governor-General did not seek the guidance of Australians, but a foreign power. While we may be products of the past, we are indeed the agents of our own future and we must realise our capacity for change and create our Australian Republic.
The lingering legacy of the British monarchy in Australia is itself visible with a long battle to gain access to documents of significant national historic importance only just resolving. What is clear from these letters is that the Queen, through her private secretary, had the ear of the Governor-General. While elected members of Australian parliament were removed from parliament due to their undeclared, and in some cases unknown, citizenship of a foreign power, our head of state is the ultimate symbol of a foreign power.
Australia is a growing, inclusive, and wonderfully vibrant multi-cultural society. With every year that goes by, the irrelevance of the British monarchy only increases. Our central values of mateship and a fair-go are a world apart from that of the institution of monarchy.
Discussion of a new Australian head of state is one that will only add value to our society. An Australian head of state is the realisation of a modern Australian identity. We are one of the most successful democracies in the world and should be proud of that fact, but our action and ambition should not be stunted by a feeling of completion. There is forevermore progress to be had. The creation of an Australian Republic is a proactive and positive mission, something that signals our full independence to the world, which exists in all but name.
While we reflect on decisions and steps taken throughout Australian history, we must remember there will always be more steps to be taken. Each stride itself contributes to this process of curation, each an opportunity to make Australia an even better society. There should be no hurdle in contributing to Australian identity for those who are Australian. To be indifferent to the arcane institution at the top of Australian politics is to forgo agency in our own political destiny.
It may be said that it’s difficult to change, things aren’t broken, or even the Queen is a good person. While on the surface these may appear true, such arguments neglect the ability and potential of the Australian people. We must identify the deeper forces of institutional paternalism, and create an institution that reflects a modern Australia, not a medieval monarchy.
The complicated events of 1975, for better or worse, changed Australia. Every letter that was sent to Buckingham Palace was a letter not sent to a young Australian, not sent to an Australian hero, or not sent to newly naturalised Australians. Instead of seeking counsel from Australia, our Governor-General sought guidance from Buckingham Palace and their advocates. This is the outcome of the perversion unfortunately central to our constitution, the good sense of Australia was substituted with the interests of a foreign power because our constitution justifies itself through this foreign power.
We must not mistakenly assume the past creates the future, while we are ourselves products of the past, we create our own future. Every action that engages, or represents, the British monarch is an action that does not engage or represent Australians. When we are lulled into apathy by those stuck in the past, do not think of where Australia is now, think of where we could be in the future.
As our stride widens and our cadence hastens, the good sense of Australians can no longer be substituted by the purebred and high-born. As we create our own modern narrative, letters have to be directed to ourselves, to our future. This mission manifests itself in the creation of an Australian Republic.
