Australian Head of State
Reverend the Hon. Dr GORDON MOYES: My question without notice is addressed to the Minister for Justice, representing the Attorney General. Is the Attorney General aware that, under the Australian Constitution, Australia has a Head of State, being the Governor-General? Given that the Head of State is an Australian, does that mean that the argument posited by republicans in the referendum held five years ago this week, and still resorted to as a valid argument for a republic, is redundant? Is the Minister aware that while the Queen is Queen of Australia, she cannot usurp the powers and duties of Australia’s Head of State, the Governor-General, as has been made clear in the Australian Constitution on legal advice from the Solicitor-General?
The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: A large part of that question seeks legal advice, and I am very well qualified to give it. In fact, people used to pay me a lot of money to do just that. In the circumstances of the question, I decline to take up the honourable member’s invitation. I think the answer is self-explanatory from his question.
