| An apolitical office |
According to Tasmanian Premier Jim Bacon, his new appointee as Tasmanian Governor, career diplomat and former arms inspector Richard Butler understands that his role on a day-to-day political commentary is at an end. Butler has acknowledged that some things would change; "It will certainly prevent me from making comments on policy matters that are not in the province of the governor. My first duty now is to the Tasmanian people. My days of directly attacking policies of particular governments, are, for the time being over."
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Nevertheless, by his actions Butler has already begun to turn himself (and the office) into a walking political statement.
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Butler, who has a fairly clear attachment to one particular side of politics and was involved in controversial criticisms of the Federal Government earlier this year, is on the record as supporting the abolition of the very monarchy whose representative he will be. Premier Bacon has given magnanimous assurances on Butler's behalf, drawing a comparison between himself and Butler. Like himself, he says, Butler has had to accept the result of the November 1999 Referendum in which the Australian people decisively rejected a change from monarchy to republic. (More than 60% of Tasmanians voted no.)
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"I swore an oath allegiance to the Queen in terms of being premier and a member of parliament, and Mr Butler has made it clear ... that in swearing the oath of allegiance to the Queen it's really part of Constitution arrangements which are the creation of the Australian people.
"In essence it is swearing allegiance to the people.
"There's been no difference between me and Mr Butler about observing all of the legal requirements and the proprieties of the office, and I'm absolutely certain he will do that with distinction and ... with great style as well."
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| In denial over democracy |
The Premier's words would be more reassuring if Butler himself did not contradict them. He acknowledges that Australians "rather overwhelmingly, said 'No'" to a republic, but his answer to this is that "in the not too distant future, they'll say 'yes'." He goes on to say that "the Queen herself made very clear that she expected us to become a Republic and was rather nonplussed when we didn't." Both Philip Benwell (National Chairman, Monarchist League of Australia) and Professor David Flint (National Convenor, Australians for Constitutional Monarchy) have questioned this claim, pointing out that there is no record of the Queen ever expressing such an opinion, much less making it "very clear". Essentially, Richard Butler's response to the democratic wishes of the Australian people is denial.
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SBS News reports that the Governor-Designate has stated he intends to pledge allegiance not to the Queen, but to the people of Tasmania, surprising not only monarchists, but even republican leaders.
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Australian Republican Movement Chairman, Professor John Warhurst, said:
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"I would have thought that it's well known that the Governor is the Queen's representative and it's perhaps the most appropriate thing to maintain that oath of allegiance while those constitutional arrangements continue. But I can understand a republican appointee to the governor's position wanting to emphasise that the attractions of the position are not the attractions of being the Queen's representative, but they are the attractions of being able to serve the Tasmanian people."
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| Plan for a 'Prepublic' |
Both Butler and Warhurst present the decision not to pledge allegiance to Her Majesty as democratic; as being about placing the people ahead of the institution of the monarchy. However, when viewed as part of a wider pattern, Butler's actions appear to be fundamentally anti-democratic. Realising that the republic will never pass a referendum, several Labor state governments have begun implementing a plan to circumvent the requirement for a referendum. These governments are systematically removing or radically altering many of the traditions, symbols and practises associated with the system of constitutional monarchy. This process of "republicanism by stealth" sets out to establish a republic in all but name: what might be called a "Prepublic". For example, Victoria's Bracks government has removed pictures of the Monarch from government buildings and made other changes, such as the removal of the crown from number plates and the renaming of Queen's Counsels to State Counsels. In New South Wales, the Carr government has repeatedly attempted to introduce the Oaths and Crown References Bill, which seeks to remove all symbols connected to the monarchy, such as removing the crown symbol from the Parliamentary letter-head and altering the oath of allegiance taken by Members of Parliament. Given the contempt for democracy this move involves, it is perhaps apt that the Carr Government also intends to do away with the title 'Honourable' as applied to MPs.
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Similarly, Richard Butler has made it known that he does not need to be thought of as "excellent" and therefore intends to do away with the title "Your Excellency" normally applied to the Governor. Whether or not Mr Butler considers himself to be excellent, the title applies to the position (the highest office in Tasmania) and not to the individual who holds it. That Mr Butler does not consider that post worthy of the title "Excellency" says a great deal. Rather than impartially meeting the requirements of the office, Butler intends to modify the office to suit his own personal opinions.
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| The requirements of the office |
State Governors and Commonwealth Governors-General ought to have characteristics suited to these positions of high symbolism: integrity, dignity, impartiality and humility. They should be people who bring honour and respect upon their office. As Chief UN Arms Inspector in Iraq, until his withdrawal in 1999, Butler behaved admirably. As recently as December 2001, Butler stated that then Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein maintained "a stockpile of uranium and in three years without inspection, I've seen reports, he's recalled his nuclear weapons design teams and Lord knows what he's been able to acquire on the black market." He told CNN that Iraq was hiding behind a propaganda smokescreen. However, a month ago Butler accused the Howard Government of dishonesty for repeating the US and UK claims that Iraq had been trying to obtain uranium on the black market. Butler's political opportunism and inconsistency in this case casts doubt on his suitability for such a dignified office.
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Richard Butler, a New South Welshman who visits Tasmania frequently, will be sworn in as Governor of Tasmania on 3 October and take up official duties on 3 November. The term of office is five years.
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