This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/21/peter-fitzsimons-is-hell-bent-on-selling-an-australian-republic-to-gen-y

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Peter FitzSimons is hell-bent on selling an Australian republic to Gen Y Peter FitzSimons is hellbent on selling an Australian republic to Gen Y
(about 1 hour later)
Peter FitzSimons is arguably Australia’s king of Twitter but that is where his monarchical affiliation ends. Indeed, Peter is one of Australia’s loudest and most passionate voices for an Australian republic. And that is why he has just stepped up as chair of the Australian Republican Movement (ARM).Peter FitzSimons is arguably Australia’s king of Twitter but that is where his monarchical affiliation ends. Indeed, Peter is one of Australia’s loudest and most passionate voices for an Australian republic. And that is why he has just stepped up as chair of the Australian Republican Movement (ARM).
Related: Peter FitzSimons appointed head of Australian Republican MovementRelated: Peter FitzSimons appointed head of Australian Republican Movement
As one of our foremost writers of Australian history, Peter has captured some of the pivotal moments that have shaped our national identity; now he will be employing his considerable talents to making history as well as recording it.As one of our foremost writers of Australian history, Peter has captured some of the pivotal moments that have shaped our national identity; now he will be employing his considerable talents to making history as well as recording it.
Peter leads a renewed ARM hell-bent on ensuring that our nation’s top job is no longer off limits to yet another generation of young Australians. Peter leads a renewed ARM hellbent on ensuring that our nation’s top job is no longer off limits to yet another generation of young Australians.
It has been nearly 16 years since we voted on the question of a republic. While disagreement over the model and an absence of political bipartisanship doomed that campaign to failure, support for the republic remains strong.It has been nearly 16 years since we voted on the question of a republic. While disagreement over the model and an absence of political bipartisanship doomed that campaign to failure, support for the republic remains strong.
Polls vary but the Australian Electoral Study (taken at the completion of each federal election) has seen support stay at over 50% since 1987. Perhaps most importantly, this support comes from across the political spectrum. From greenies to conservatives, republicans can be found in all political hues.Polls vary but the Australian Electoral Study (taken at the completion of each federal election) has seen support stay at over 50% since 1987. Perhaps most importantly, this support comes from across the political spectrum. From greenies to conservatives, republicans can be found in all political hues.
The reason that support bridges the ideological divide is because the idea of a republic appeals to quintessentially Australian values. As a nation that prides itself on its egalitarianism, it is wrong that our head of state continues to be the monarch of a foreign country. For a proudly multicultural people, it makes no sense to cling to our remaining colonial ties after more than a century of independence.The reason that support bridges the ideological divide is because the idea of a republic appeals to quintessentially Australian values. As a nation that prides itself on its egalitarianism, it is wrong that our head of state continues to be the monarch of a foreign country. For a proudly multicultural people, it makes no sense to cling to our remaining colonial ties after more than a century of independence.
The naysayers will tell you that the republic is merely a symbolic issue, undeserving of the same degree of attention as the “hip pocket” concerns that dominate our national debate. Well, the truth of the matter is that for all the attention the kitchen table matters are receiving, there is not a whole lot of legislating going on right now in Canberra.The naysayers will tell you that the republic is merely a symbolic issue, undeserving of the same degree of attention as the “hip pocket” concerns that dominate our national debate. Well, the truth of the matter is that for all the attention the kitchen table matters are receiving, there is not a whole lot of legislating going on right now in Canberra.
Indeed, with our federal parliament tied in knots, it is time to give the Australian people a go at this reform caper.Indeed, with our federal parliament tied in knots, it is time to give the Australian people a go at this reform caper.
The 2000s was the first decade since federation that Australia did not get a chance to vote on constitutional reform. We are now half way through the next decade and the people’s voice is in danger of being restricted solely to election time.The 2000s was the first decade since federation that Australia did not get a chance to vote on constitutional reform. We are now half way through the next decade and the people’s voice is in danger of being restricted solely to election time.
This is not what Australia’s constitutional drafters had in mind. Even our stridently monarchist prime minister admits that while our founding fathers set a high threshold for amending the constitution, they knew that its ongoing relevance would be decided by its ability to reflect our changing circumstances.This is not what Australia’s constitutional drafters had in mind. Even our stridently monarchist prime minister admits that while our founding fathers set a high threshold for amending the constitution, they knew that its ongoing relevance would be decided by its ability to reflect our changing circumstances.
Related: Australian republicans: we can no longer afford to wait for the monarch's passing | Nick DyrenfurthRelated: Australian republicans: we can no longer afford to wait for the monarch's passing | Nick Dyrenfurth
There should be a sense of urgency about all of this. We cannot take it for granted that younger Australians will retain pride in our democratic institutions in the face of political gridlock. The Lowy Institute’s 2015 poll indicated that just 49% of Australians aged 18-29 believe that “democracy is preferable to any other kind of government”. It is no coincidence that support for a republic is similarly weak among this age group.There should be a sense of urgency about all of this. We cannot take it for granted that younger Australians will retain pride in our democratic institutions in the face of political gridlock. The Lowy Institute’s 2015 poll indicated that just 49% of Australians aged 18-29 believe that “democracy is preferable to any other kind of government”. It is no coincidence that support for a republic is similarly weak among this age group.
It is not that younger Australians are ambivalent about our shared values: principles such as gender equality, respect for the rule of law, and egalitarianism are held dear by the latest generation of voters.It is not that younger Australians are ambivalent about our shared values: principles such as gender equality, respect for the rule of law, and egalitarianism are held dear by the latest generation of voters.
The job of republicans is to convince Generation Y that our cause is relevant to them. We can’t rely on memories of the 1999 campaign to carry us through as many young voters have little or no memory of that chapter of Australian history.The job of republicans is to convince Generation Y that our cause is relevant to them. We can’t rely on memories of the 1999 campaign to carry us through as many young voters have little or no memory of that chapter of Australian history.
It will be one of the ARM’s greatest challenges to explain to Gen Y what a republic is all about so that they get behind it in droves.It will be one of the ARM’s greatest challenges to explain to Gen Y what a republic is all about so that they get behind it in droves.
But we’ll need all the help we can get. Not even a former Wallaby like Peter FitzSimons can get this one over the line on his own. Instead, winning an Australian republic is going to take this country’s best team effort yet.But we’ll need all the help we can get. Not even a former Wallaby like Peter FitzSimons can get this one over the line on his own. Instead, winning an Australian republic is going to take this country’s best team effort yet.