From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – 19 June

Given the new Albanese government has an Assistant Minister for the Republic, I watched with a special interest The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations from London.

SETTING aside any ennui for the royal family, or the system, it is extraordinary how one truly remarkable person is able, through a lifetime of commitment and service, to generate so greater reaction – and almost all of it positive.

The notion of a hereditary, reigning family is problematic; fraught with human peccadilloes. The system’s shortcomings are exacerbated – indeed, brought into stark clarity – when members of the family behave badly. Such is the gravity of their conduct, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Prince Andrew should be stripped of their titles et al and sent-out into the real world; however, the inherent problem in such a draconian decision – and which would require an act of parliament – lies in the public’s insatiable appetite for royal scandal. The miscreants’ potential willingness to sell their jaundiced story for thirty pieces of silver would wreak immeasurable damage.

It would seem, on the balance of probability, the aggregate tilts in favour of, rather than against, our current system; however, there is a palpable groundswell of indifference across the spectrum. A life of unparalleled luxury, gifted through an accident of birth, does not sit easy with supporters.

It would not be unreasonable to think Australia is, at this time, facing more pressing issues than whether or not we should become a republic. With reason, many would consider the funding required to support the ministry for republicanism a waste of taxpayer’s money, or even a proxy means of swaying public opinion at no cost to the determined republican movement.

Democracy is not the perfect system, but it is superior to its alternatives.

The role of the head of state is unique, and crucial in the life of the nation. It acts in the country’s most important moments and is a symbol of who we are. It is a public manifestation of our face to the world. It is the receptacle of patriotic sentiment. It embodies our hopes and aspirations. It is a safe and sure place for the people to direct their sense of belonging. It speaks on behalf of the people. It works to unify the populace and is blind to colour, creed and race. It is above politics but sits at the apex of our government. It is the envy of those struggling under the oppressive yoke of a less democratic regime.

A change of system would be decided by a referendum. From that moment, at least half the country would be alienated, and the system would lose its inclusive quality.

Proffering, but with no empirical evidence whatsoever, there are many people in this country who find the whole arrangement – the concept of royalty – slightly absurd. On a lighter note – anyone but The Queen wearing so many diamonds would be thought vulgar! Many do not subscribe to the abject silliness of royal coverage; and clearly, were we starting out again from the beginning, we would not invent this system.

There is no culinary argument: coronation chicken is a terrible filling for a sandwich.

However, and this is the important factor, the majority prefer monarchy to the alternative. The possibility of Messrs Trump or Putin is nightmarish. Do we want a head-of-state based on a popularity poll, which, undeniably, debases the office? Most think not.

Currently, the wheel grinds to our benefit and does not need to be re-invented.

Roland can be contacted via [email protected].