
(The Guardian) Scott Morrison’s appointments wouldn’t have been secret in a republic, says Thistlethwaite
Assistant Minister for the republic, Matthew Thistlethwaite, told reporters earlier today that if Australia was a republic, that none of Scott Morrison’s secret appointments would have been hidden.
Thistlethwaite declined to criticise governor general David Hurley for his actions, but said it highlights the need for a discussion on a future Australian head of state: The role of the governor general is to accept the advice of the prime minister, and there’ll no doubt be further discussion about that role, and what the governor general knew and whether or not he should have told the Australian people about that.
But in my view, it highlights the importance of us having a discussion in the future about having an Australian as our head of state, and someone who acts on behalf of the Australian people.
Maybe then we can get more transparency and accountability in decisions such as this.