Removal of the Head of State - Fact Sheet Removal of an Australian Head of State Constitutional Monarchy Vs Republic Status. The issues of a fixed term, method of removal and causes of removal are extremely simple under our present system and designed to strengthen the power of the elected representatives of the people and maintain only one centre of legitimate political power in the nation-the elected government of the day. These objectives will be weakened and threatened by any system of a fixed term for a president with cumbersome machinery for removal. Any new system should at least be as effective, as flexible and as efficient.
All republican proposals fail on all three bases.
The provisions in the Constitution that the Governor-General is appointed by the Queen as her representative and at her pleasure are archaic even if it is acknowledged that the powers are used only on the advice of the Prime Minister of the day. It is demeaning to our sense of sovereignty. As the present federal electoral cycle is a limit of three years, any president will span at least more than one parliament in five years or probably two if for seven years. Even 'ceremonial' residents, such as Mary Robinson in Ireland, were political players. A president cannot preside for life, so must have a fixed term.