Just what would happen if we became a republic?

You guys are a creative bunch. Who's got some ideas for my friend Sarp here:

Hi Ari,
My name is Sarp, Im currently studying media and screenwriting at RMIT university and I'm trying to write a screenplay for a feature film about what would change in Australia if we become a republic. The actual story is a love story but the main caracter is an ex Australian bureaucrat who's being held as a prisoner in London and the story revolves around the political and legal intrigue around him. He's being a scapegoat between two countires silent political friction and the woman of his life is far from the Queen.

Anyways, the reason im writing you this email is because I'v came across your website and i thought perhaps you could help me with my lack of information about this whole situation in your spare time. I know the basics about the scenario like changing the head of states etc, but i was just wordering if you could give me some ideas with the unlikely but possible outcomes might come later in the future :)

Thank you for your time
yours;
Sarp


Leave your ideas in the comments section, or email me and I'll forward the email to Sarp.

How about the possibility that a monarchy desperate to cling on to Australia (I know, at the moment it seems the other way around) agrees to pardon Australians in prison in the UK only if Australia votes to keep the monarchy? Or perhaps the Australian in prison abroad could be charged with treason if his countryfolk decide the vote for a republic? Now there's an idea.... that'll never work.

Comments

Anonymous said…
If Australia became a republic it wouldn't be any different to what would happen if someone was imprisoned in France or Germany now - there are various international agreements, and the UK is subject to both the European Convention on Human Rights and has passed its own Human Rights Act (France and Germany as well as every other European country are in the same boat - remember that the ECHR is NOT an EU document).

Remember, that only 16 Commonwealth countries out of about 55 have the Queen as head of state - the rest are all republics (eg India, Pakistan, South Africa, Nigeria etc etc), and the position of Head of Commonwealth is not a hereditary one for the British Crown.

Sarp's problem is a no goer - anyway, the Crown can't act without the British Parliament, and the British Parliament is constrained by these agreements etc. Ahh the wonders of the rule of law... Sarp might also want to look at the Pinochet case - see Phillippe Sands' book 'Lawless World' for a good write up - or the Al Adsani case.
20 March 2006 at 21:36
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