A Republican Movement Asleep At The Wheel
In the latest series of Netflix’s blockbuster, The Crown – a newly elected Bob Hawke (played by Richard Roxburgh) listens eagerly as an aide provides an update that the Australian public is angry at the expense of the royal visit. With feline-like instinct – sensing potential in the opportunity – Hawke bursts with excitement: “Maybe now is the moment.”
Emboldened and pacing about his office, the Prime Minister elaborates to the aide his frustration at how Australia is “still unable to cut the apron strings and stand on our own two feet. Why? Because there has never been the tipping point where we finally say ‘enough’.” Back in England, briefed by her own advisors, the Queen observes the visit with anticipation – well aware of Hawke’s ambition for Australia to become a republic.
Australia today is a different place to the one that Charles and Diana visited thirty eight years ago. Fascination with the monarchy has waned. The ‘terra nullius’ myth is being dismantled. We’re now more famous for our multiculturalism, than our Britishness. The Australia Day debate has moved in from the fringe to the mainstream and our politicians estimate enough public support to feel safe tinkering with our anthem.
Inch by inch, the underlying narrative of this country is evolving. Multiple little moments of national debate and introspection are compounding towards an emerging maturity. The growing momentum from these incremental shifts has been increasingly visible. Even our hallowed and often-conservative sporting institutions have made adjustments to accommodate them.
Controversy over Cricket Australia’s decision to remove the words “Australia Day” from it’s January 26th game, has only just cooled. Last year, the NRL planned to remove the national anthem entirely from their State of Origin series until the Prime Minister stepped in. In December, Rugby Australia played the first ever indigenous-language version of our anthem at a national level.
Yet, as our self-reflection begins to translate into changes, there’s still a vacuum of cultural leadership. Australians are looking for guidance and a destination point from this meandering conversation that often has periods of drift. Some might say these are perfect conditions for talking about how to cut those apron strings – but the republican movement has been noticeably absent.
Since Howard’s contentiously-worded referendum twenty two years ago, never have pitch conditions been more ideal for a republican movement to stand at the crease and smash opportunities for six. To build a partnership with the Australian people and put runs on the board. However, ball after ball has been floating through to the wicket keeper, often without even a swing of the bat.
Be it Twitter, talk show TV or even down at the pub – general chatter about Australia becoming a republic is diminishing. For many of us, the pathway to such big changes feels muddy and confusing. There is no gamut of high-profile advocates to listen to or consider. There appears to be no strategy, no urgency, no target date to run at. It’s no wonder that Australians are losing interest.
Of course, leading a country towards such a brave new chapter is not just about cunning opportunism. However, without a certain front-footed activism and without the ability to pounce on moments – a movement will never build-up enough steam to reach that tipping point. Even mainstream politicians are aware of this.
Without a doubt, fighting for such change requires formidable hard work and stamina. Very little glory will ever be handed out as a reward. There will be a constant wrestle with the unpredictable challenges of families, partners, jobs, life that distract from the ability to do just that little bit more. Such dedication because you believe unabashedly in the potential of this country, is unquestionably admirable.
But despite these challenges and deserved respect – Hawke’s instincts were right. Yes, the day-to-day staples of education, conversation and advocacy are key. However, a movement’s ability to spot and muck in with arising opportunities can be our most obvious measure of hunger – and the republican movement just does not seem to be hungry enough.
As the Crown episode ends and he bids adieu to the visiting royals, we find a deflated Hawke – blindsided by the young princess’ charisma. Surrendering to Diana’s spell over an adoring Australian public, the Prime Minister concedes to Charles: “that superstar may have just set back the course of republicanism in Australia.” One step forward, two steps back, it would seem.
Still, the script leaves us with a Prime Minister riddled with hope: “By God, we were somebody’s country then and we’re our own country now.” Australians are very much waking up to this. Becoming a republic is by no means a panacea to every challenge and growing pain that lies ahead. But what an opportunity to be gifted and a moment many of us would love to witness in our lifetime.
