Only through a democratic republic can workers organise society in the interests of the overwhelming majority. To that end, the main political task of the workers’ movement is abolition of the constitutional monarchy system and its replacement with a democratic republic. The minimalist presidential ‘republic’ of the liberal establishment neither inspires nor suffices.
Instead, what is needed is a democratic constitutional convention with full powers to establish a provisional government and a new republican constitution.
A democratic republic should:
- abolish the monarchy system and its constitution.
- reject presidentialism, monarchism’s undemocratic offspring.
- ensure election by proportional representation to a single legislative and executive assembly.
- abolish the senate, an undemocratic check on popular power.
- institute annual parliaments where MPs can be recalled and are paid no more than the average skilled wage.
- abolish the states and introduce meaningful regional-local government.
A democratic constitution must ensure:
- a treaty with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, comprehensive land rights and reparations for lost lands.
- freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of conscience.
- secularisation. Separation of church and state. Religion a private matter.
- election of the judiciary from qualified persons.
- disbandment of the standing army and a democratically armed population.
- citizenship rights for migrants and refugees; for the free movement of people.
- the right to work and the right to strike.
- the right to housing free from arbitrary eviction.
- an end to secrecy in government and business. Abolish ASIO, ASIS.
- workers’ supervision of management and production through workplace councils.
The fight for a republic is not a diversion from the fight for socialism. On the contrary, it is the means by which we open the political space for the victory of socialism and the democratic government of the working class. Socialism without democracy is impossible.