As we reflect on the existing gaps to an equal society on International Women’s Day 2023, Australians should reflect on the constitutional barriers that prevent Australian women and our children from rising to the top.
At present, Australia’s Head of State is the British Monarch, King Charles, appointed by hereditary entitlement rather than by merit or democratic choice.
It will be at least three generations before another woman is eligible to become Australia’s Head of State – unless Australia achieves its independence from the British Monarchy and becomes a republic. If Prince George becomes King and lives as long as his grandmother, Elizabeth II, women will be blocked from being Australia’s Head of State until the year 2110 – and even longer if Prince George’s first-born child is not a girl.
But more importantly, Australian women would still be barred from becoming Head of State by virtue of the role being reserved for the descendants of the British Monarch.
Deputy Chair of the Australian Republic Movement Dr Meredith Doig OAM said that Australia’s Constitution was in urgent need of reform to allow Australian women to be chosen by Australians as our Head of State.
“All deserving Australians should be eligible to be chosen to represent our nation. It’s totally unacceptable for Australians, especially Australian women, to be banned from being our Head of State” Dr Meredith Doig said.
“It would be absurd to say women could not serve as members of parliament, as doctors or judges or other professions, so why should we tolerate an effective ban on women in our nation’s highest role until 2110 or later?
“The only way to allow Australian women to rise to the top of our nation is to remove the monarchy from our Constitution, and let all Australians choose who represents them – a choice based on ability, not birthright” Dr Doig said.
