It’s not surprising that opportunistic politicians are using the “Megxit” crisis to undermine Australia’s system of government – anything to further their goal of another republic referendum.
Labor’s Ed Husic and Liberal Jason Falinski are leveraging The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to step down from royal duties to brand our constitutional monarchy as “archaic”.
This is of course a bizarre conflation as Prince Harry is no republican and he and Meghan have indicated their desire to continue to “uphold the values of Her Majesty” the Queen in their new life.
Yet, politicians like Husic and Falinski have jumped on the changes as part of the republican movement’s push to consolidate absolute power in an undefined system in the hands of politicians.
What could possibly go wrong?
"Harry and Meghan saw their future being stronger without being tied to the monarchy - there's something in that lesson for us," Husic said.
"They've shown us how antiquated that system is. Frankly, why should we stay if the Queen's grandson has called time on the monarchy?”
The only problem is that Harry and Meghan have not “called time” on the monarchy.
They remain the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
If anything, the Queen’s deft handling of a difficult constitutional and family situation has demonstrated The Crown’s value and resilience.
The Queen has been tough but fair to Harry and Meghan, despite their unilateral announcement that they wished to pursue financial independence and a new life in North America.
She has spoken with warmth about their and grandson Archie’s continued place in her family.
Prior to Harry and Meghan’s withdrawal from royal duties, Buckingham Palace had been signalling for months that the future lay in a streamlined monarchy focussing on the Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William and the young Prince George.
Rather than being “archaic”, the Palace has been prudently preparing for the future.
Like so many Liberals who team up with the left and its causes, Falinski seems not to know that he has a constitutional tiger by the tail.
The Australian Republican Movement’s preference for a president to replace the non-political Governor General, will remove the impartiality the office currently holds, and instead implement somebody beholden to party politics and vested interests.
That is of course a recipe for chaos and even more ugly partisan politics in Canberra, not less. But the best argument Falinski can come up with for a republic relates to who cheers who at the rugby.
"After all the next time the Wallabies play England it would be nice to know our head of state is cheering for the same team as her people," Falinksi said.
Seriously?
How is that a compelling argument for replacing someone above politics with someone who is a creature of politics?
It isn’t. Don’t fix something that isn’t broken.