LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, The West Australian, 4 March 1999
A DIRECTLY elected president is the last thing this country needs.
Supporters of direct election should ask themselves who they would prefer as out first president - a member of the Labor Party or a member of the Liberal Party? That is the effective choice we would have.
Think about the implications of a head of state who owes primary loyalty to a political party.
Imagine the sleazy, expensive, hand-shaking, baby-kissing, vote-buying campaign to get them elected.
Imagine the sight of our head of state running around the country staging as many publicity stunts as possible to support his or her political party and demean the opposition.
Compare this awful picture to the impartiality and dignity our current head of state has, and could continue to have under the proposed minimalist republic.
I would rather stay with a monarchy than have an American-style republic. The monarchists must be chuckling.
Last updated: 28 Mar 1999