Even a broad church has boundaries: Sussan Ley, Ted O'Brien's openly republican views at odds with the values the Liberal Party was founded upon
The Liberal Party now has two new leaders, Sussan Ley and Ted O'Brien.
Until evidence arises to the contrary, both can be regarded as staunch advocates for an Australian republic – and that's of some consequence.
Ley has featured in advertising material for the Australian Republic Movement, published in 2022.
In the same year – during the same month as our late Queen's death, no less – she took it upon herself to pen an op-ed for the Daily Mail in which she encouraged republicans' agenda, writing, 'I know Australia is big enough and old enough to have a fresh look at this debate.'
O'Brien served as Chairman of the Australian Republic Movement from 2005 to 2007.
In my even-more youthful years, and with fervour to match, I wrote extensively on how it is 'oxymoronic' for one to be a republican Liberal politician.
In 1954, to celebrate its tenth anniversary, Robert Menzies crystalised the Liberal Party's doctrinal beliefs in his 'We Believe' propositions; these are readily available online.
Those propositions, I contend, are listed hierarchically; that is, from the first follows the second, from the second follows the third, and so on.
Thus, that the 'We Believe' propositions begin like this should be of no surprise:
'We believe in the Crown as the enduring embodiment of our national unity and as the symbol of that unity and as the symbol of that other unity that exists between all nations of the British Commonwealth.'
At the apex of the Australian Constitution is the Crown; from the Crown descends our nation's democratic, legislative and judicial authority, as well as much, much else.
I wonder what might Menzies make of the fact that republicans are, yet again, at the Liberal Party's helm?
Regardless, if republicanism lurks in Ley's and O'Brien's hearts, so be it; in our free country, they are entitled to their private views – even if those views are totally at odds with their party's values.
What cannot be allowed to happen, however, is this: that the Liberal Party of Australia becomes a complicit mechanism in Labor's never-tiring agenda to bring about an Australian republic.
During its last term, this agenda led the Albanese Government to commit shameless acts, such as instituting the first-ever Assistant Minister for the Republic, a Minister of the Crown tasked with, incredibly, removing the Crown.
In fact, nearly every constitutional and civic policy decision made during Anthony Albanese's prime ministership – the Voice, the changes to the Referendum Act's machinery provisions, the Misinformation and Disinformation Bill, and the removal of the Queen's effigy from our five-dollar note – has been in aid of republicanism.
As succinctly as I can, I'll explain why.
Following defeat in the 1999 republic referendum, Yes campaigners drew what they continue to believe a critical conclusion: that it is virtually impossible to affect constitutional change in Australia if such change is presented too complexly.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=7596878907019938&id=135933556447881&set=a.140062692701634
In contrast, whereas the 1999 referendum leant too heavily upon technical legal argument, its 2023 successor threw technical argument to the wind, relying instead upon the weaponisation of voters' emotions.
Both strategies caused confusion, sowed fear and ended in defeat.
Be assured, that had the Voice carried, we'd have been catapulted straight into another republic debate, argued in the same fashion as the Voice, and we'd have voted in a second republic referendum this year.
After all, Labor was desperately hoping its President of Australia would be inaugurated in 2025, to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of Gough Whitlam's dismissal.
And so, last year, our just-elected prime minister told the Guardian: 'Referendums are hard to win in this country, and we've seen, I think, that all it takes is opposition.'
It is this democratic right, the right to oppose, that serves as the central bulwark against republicans' ambitions.
In our Commonwealth parliament, that right has, for the most part, been loyally championed by the Coalition's senior partner, the Liberal Party, one founded upon the time-tested value that constitutional monarchy is the most stable system of government yet devised.
It is bipartisan parliamentary support for a republic, then, that most endangers the Crown's continuity.
The Australian Monarchist League, which comprises many grassroots Liberals, is committed to keeping close watch over the constitutional dealings of Australia's federal representatives.
I'll conclude with this: John Howard was right to describe the Liberal Party as a 'broad church'.
But churches have roofs, and they have walls.
The Liberal Party cannot continue constructing outhouse after outhouse to accommodate illiberal, anti-Menzian policies.
To offer any formal support to a republic would be the party's most wayward endeavour yet.
Alexander Voltz is a composer. As well as contributing to SkyNews.com.au, he is the founding Music Editor of Quadrant, and writes also for The Spectator Australia. He directed The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Concert, Australia's largest musical tribute during the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II. His music has been performed across the country and abroad.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
34 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Call for local steel mandate in face of Trump's tariffs
Australia is being urged to mandate the use of local steel in projects to protect the nation's workers and industry from Donald Trump's tariffs. The US president has announced a plan to double levies on foreign steel from 25 per cent to 50 per cent in coming days. Australian goods exported to the US are already subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff. Australia must adopt strong domestic protections, says union secretary Arthur Rorris, whose South Coast Labour Council includes workers from BlueScope's Port Kembla Steelworks. "If we don't mandate the use of our steel for our own uses, we will become the path of least resistance for the glut of global steel," he told AAP. "If you don't defend your own markets, others will take them." Labor could not just talk about a future made in Australia but had to provide the funds to back it, Mr Rorris said. He said the government needed to understand the transactional nature of the Trump administration and use whatever leverage it had to get a better deal. Treasurer Jim Chalmers in February said quotas for Australian steel were under consideration. Australian Steel Association chief executive David Buchanan said he was yet to see dumping of cheap foreign steel into Australia. "We do have a very strong system to protect the industry from dumped materials," he told ABC radio. Mr Buchanan said the US president's decision would not have a major impact on Australian industry, but would result in increased prices for American consumers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese branded the move an act of "economic self-harm" and is expected to sit down with the American leader on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada later in June. Mr Trump's deepening trade war is considered destabilising to the framework that has benefited middle powers such as Australia. Announcing the steel and aluminium tariffs earlier this year, Mr Trump committed to imposing them "without exceptions or exemptions" in a bid to help shield domestic industries. The Albanese government has ruled out retaliatory tariffs against the US as it tries to secure an exemption for Australian goods. But Australia could take the US to the World Trade Organisation, as it did with China over punitive trade sanctions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic as diplomatic relations hit a low. Trade Minister Don Farrell has said the government would continue to "coolly and calmly" argue its case for the removal of the tariffs. Canada has taken the US to the umpire, which determines global trade rules. Senator Farrell is travelling to France, leading Australia's delegation to the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. On the sidelines of that meeting, Australia will host an informal meeting of World Trade Organisation ministers to discuss the importance of an open, rules-based global trading system. In Mr Trump's first term, the US president gave Australia exemptions on the argument the US has a trade surplus with its ally. Australia is being urged to mandate the use of local steel in projects to protect the nation's workers and industry from Donald Trump's tariffs. The US president has announced a plan to double levies on foreign steel from 25 per cent to 50 per cent in coming days. Australian goods exported to the US are already subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff. Australia must adopt strong domestic protections, says union secretary Arthur Rorris, whose South Coast Labour Council includes workers from BlueScope's Port Kembla Steelworks. "If we don't mandate the use of our steel for our own uses, we will become the path of least resistance for the glut of global steel," he told AAP. "If you don't defend your own markets, others will take them." Labor could not just talk about a future made in Australia but had to provide the funds to back it, Mr Rorris said. He said the government needed to understand the transactional nature of the Trump administration and use whatever leverage it had to get a better deal. Treasurer Jim Chalmers in February said quotas for Australian steel were under consideration. Australian Steel Association chief executive David Buchanan said he was yet to see dumping of cheap foreign steel into Australia. "We do have a very strong system to protect the industry from dumped materials," he told ABC radio. Mr Buchanan said the US president's decision would not have a major impact on Australian industry, but would result in increased prices for American consumers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese branded the move an act of "economic self-harm" and is expected to sit down with the American leader on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada later in June. Mr Trump's deepening trade war is considered destabilising to the framework that has benefited middle powers such as Australia. Announcing the steel and aluminium tariffs earlier this year, Mr Trump committed to imposing them "without exceptions or exemptions" in a bid to help shield domestic industries. The Albanese government has ruled out retaliatory tariffs against the US as it tries to secure an exemption for Australian goods. But Australia could take the US to the World Trade Organisation, as it did with China over punitive trade sanctions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic as diplomatic relations hit a low. Trade Minister Don Farrell has said the government would continue to "coolly and calmly" argue its case for the removal of the tariffs. Canada has taken the US to the umpire, which determines global trade rules. Senator Farrell is travelling to France, leading Australia's delegation to the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. On the sidelines of that meeting, Australia will host an informal meeting of World Trade Organisation ministers to discuss the importance of an open, rules-based global trading system. In Mr Trump's first term, the US president gave Australia exemptions on the argument the US has a trade surplus with its ally. Australia is being urged to mandate the use of local steel in projects to protect the nation's workers and industry from Donald Trump's tariffs. The US president has announced a plan to double levies on foreign steel from 25 per cent to 50 per cent in coming days. Australian goods exported to the US are already subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff. Australia must adopt strong domestic protections, says union secretary Arthur Rorris, whose South Coast Labour Council includes workers from BlueScope's Port Kembla Steelworks. "If we don't mandate the use of our steel for our own uses, we will become the path of least resistance for the glut of global steel," he told AAP. "If you don't defend your own markets, others will take them." Labor could not just talk about a future made in Australia but had to provide the funds to back it, Mr Rorris said. He said the government needed to understand the transactional nature of the Trump administration and use whatever leverage it had to get a better deal. Treasurer Jim Chalmers in February said quotas for Australian steel were under consideration. Australian Steel Association chief executive David Buchanan said he was yet to see dumping of cheap foreign steel into Australia. "We do have a very strong system to protect the industry from dumped materials," he told ABC radio. Mr Buchanan said the US president's decision would not have a major impact on Australian industry, but would result in increased prices for American consumers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese branded the move an act of "economic self-harm" and is expected to sit down with the American leader on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada later in June. Mr Trump's deepening trade war is considered destabilising to the framework that has benefited middle powers such as Australia. Announcing the steel and aluminium tariffs earlier this year, Mr Trump committed to imposing them "without exceptions or exemptions" in a bid to help shield domestic industries. The Albanese government has ruled out retaliatory tariffs against the US as it tries to secure an exemption for Australian goods. But Australia could take the US to the World Trade Organisation, as it did with China over punitive trade sanctions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic as diplomatic relations hit a low. Trade Minister Don Farrell has said the government would continue to "coolly and calmly" argue its case for the removal of the tariffs. Canada has taken the US to the umpire, which determines global trade rules. Senator Farrell is travelling to France, leading Australia's delegation to the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. On the sidelines of that meeting, Australia will host an informal meeting of World Trade Organisation ministers to discuss the importance of an open, rules-based global trading system. In Mr Trump's first term, the US president gave Australia exemptions on the argument the US has a trade surplus with its ally. Australia is being urged to mandate the use of local steel in projects to protect the nation's workers and industry from Donald Trump's tariffs. The US president has announced a plan to double levies on foreign steel from 25 per cent to 50 per cent in coming days. Australian goods exported to the US are already subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff. Australia must adopt strong domestic protections, says union secretary Arthur Rorris, whose South Coast Labour Council includes workers from BlueScope's Port Kembla Steelworks. "If we don't mandate the use of our steel for our own uses, we will become the path of least resistance for the glut of global steel," he told AAP. "If you don't defend your own markets, others will take them." Labor could not just talk about a future made in Australia but had to provide the funds to back it, Mr Rorris said. He said the government needed to understand the transactional nature of the Trump administration and use whatever leverage it had to get a better deal. Treasurer Jim Chalmers in February said quotas for Australian steel were under consideration. Australian Steel Association chief executive David Buchanan said he was yet to see dumping of cheap foreign steel into Australia. "We do have a very strong system to protect the industry from dumped materials," he told ABC radio. Mr Buchanan said the US president's decision would not have a major impact on Australian industry, but would result in increased prices for American consumers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese branded the move an act of "economic self-harm" and is expected to sit down with the American leader on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada later in June. Mr Trump's deepening trade war is considered destabilising to the framework that has benefited middle powers such as Australia. Announcing the steel and aluminium tariffs earlier this year, Mr Trump committed to imposing them "without exceptions or exemptions" in a bid to help shield domestic industries. The Albanese government has ruled out retaliatory tariffs against the US as it tries to secure an exemption for Australian goods. But Australia could take the US to the World Trade Organisation, as it did with China over punitive trade sanctions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic as diplomatic relations hit a low. Trade Minister Don Farrell has said the government would continue to "coolly and calmly" argue its case for the removal of the tariffs. Canada has taken the US to the umpire, which determines global trade rules. Senator Farrell is travelling to France, leading Australia's delegation to the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. On the sidelines of that meeting, Australia will host an informal meeting of World Trade Organisation ministers to discuss the importance of an open, rules-based global trading system. In Mr Trump's first term, the US president gave Australia exemptions on the argument the US has a trade surplus with its ally.
Sky News AU
37 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Trump administration urges allies to ‘spend more money' on defence
USSC Foreign Policy & Defence Director Professor Peter Dean discusses the Trump administration's view that its allies should 'spend more money' on defence. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has rejected America's push for Australia to raise its defence spending. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is pushing the Australian federal government to increase spending on defence to 3.5 per cent of GDP.
AU Financial Review
an hour ago
- AU Financial Review
Kennett issues 11th hour plea to save Pesutto from bankruptcy
Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett has issued an 11th-hour plea to the Liberal Party's powerful administrative committee to save ex-leader John Pesutto from being bankrupted by a multimillion dollar defamation debt to colleague Moira Deeming. Kennett's letter to the 19-member committee came as Deeming reportedly filed a creditor's petition with the Federal Court on Monday after Pesutto failed to pay her $2.3 million in legal costs following her successful defamation case against him.
