I’m an independent Australian writer — and a Life Member and Benefactor of the Australian Republican Movement. I’ve been a republican ever since Armistice Day, 11 November, 1975, when Australia’s democratically elected government and Prime Minister were dismissed by Queen Elizabeth II of England’s imperial representative in Australia, the Governor-General.

My commitment to seeing an Australian republic within my own life-time was further cemented when I later spent five years living and working in London. While I was there, other Australians and I were frequently referred to as “colonials” or “convicts”. On one occasion, I was even called a “sheep-shagger” and, on several other occasions, associated with things too vulgar to repeat here.

All of these experiences have convinced me my homeland will only be taken seriously and get the respect it deserves — both in Great Britain and elsewhere — if it breaks its final remaining link to the English monarchy and becomes a republic.

Other More Positive Reasons Why I Feel We Should Become a Republic

Firstly, it would dramatically improve our national image in our region. We are standing on the brink of not just an “Asian century”, as the politicians keep on calling it but, in my opinion, an Asian millennium. As such, Australia urgently needs to shed its current identity as a British, colonial outpost in South-east Asia and “re-badge” itself as a mature and fully independent republic if it is to be seen by its regional neighbours as worthy of the extra-ordinary opportunities and challenges this millennium will bring.

Secondly, becoming a republic would make our system of government more democratic than it currently is. For example, we would avoid a repetition of the calamitous events of Armistice Day, 1975, where the local delegate of a foreign monarch who was living 20,000 kms away on the other side of the world subverted our democratic process and determined our political destiny.

What I’d Like You to Do Next

If you’re an editor looking for a writer to produce quality articles on Australia’s political future in general or the republic in particular, then please feel free to get in touch with me, because I’ve written — and been published — on and off throughout my long career.

On the other hand, if you’re a reader looking for interesting material dealing with an issue that is once again inexorably gathering momentum on the Australian political agenda, then please regularly enjoy this blog.

Forward to an Australian republic by 2020!

Phillip.