It’s time for a Republic: Inaugural Lionel Bowen Lecture MMXV AD

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has called for a renewed debate on Australia abolishing its constitutional monarchy in favour of a republic.

During a speech on Thursday night at the Randwick (Labor) Club, Mr Shorten said the nation need not wait until the death of the nation’s current sovereign head of state.
Republic Debate Starts

Living Document called Constitution

The opposition leader wants a two-fold change in the nation's founding document, arguing it should be a "living and working" thing and speak for modern Australian beliefs and values.

He said it had been 16 years since Australians last voted on whether to become a republic and a new generation of voters deserves to have their say. "Like all Australians, I have tremendous respect for Queen Elizabeth, she has fulfilled her constitutional responsibilities with grace for many years ..."
ABC coverage on Republic



New generation of voters should have say on republic: Shorten 

Stephen Dametto is the NSW director of the Australian Republican Movement wrote in January 2015:
"At the Australian Republican Movement the phones are ringing hot with new members keen to join the cause. Social media tells a similar story, reflecting what we are all thinking – surely there was an Australian who would have made a more suitable choice for a knighthood on our national day."
Time to back an Australian for the top job
It is time to unambiguously embrace our Australian identity — and the Queen should have nothing to do with it, writes Stephen Dametto, NSW convenor of the Australian Republican Movement.
Smooth as silks: it’s time to ditch the title QC for good

Crikey on Republic

We are a country that reads the back of the paper first, would rather have a beer than a debate, or watch Home and Away reruns over question time is more a collection of truisms than stereotypes ...
Polls of note 

Living in the 1950s

Other issues of note:

Infrastructure Australia’s new CEO Philip Davies is looking at the big picture and hoping to work closely with governments around the nation, as he leads the statutory body’s efforts to lay the groundwork for the next 15 years Infrastructure Australia wants a federation of collaboration

 

Inequality, the Financial Crisis and Stagnation: Competing Stories and Why They Matter Thomas Palley