Path to an Australian Republic

Here is a summarized version of the path to a republic outlined in the text:

1. Formal Agreement: The Commonwealth and States should agree to consult on the head of State issue to maintain unity during the transition, preserving a single unifying head of State.
2. Harmonization of the Crown: Standardize the terminology and naming convention for the divisible Crowns across states and the Commonwealth to achieve consistency.
3. Avoid Divergence: Prevent the risk of different heads of State for the Commonwealth and States by finding a consensus to avoid division or potential secession.
4. Referendum on Transition: Hold a Constitutional Convention to discuss the shift to a republic, building a consensus among experts and stakeholders.
5. Pre-Referendum Test: Test the process of electing an Australian head of State before the actual referendum, possibly through modified Australian of the Year Awards.
6. Campaign through Australian of the Year Awards: Use the existing Australian of the Year Awards platform for nominating and campaigning for the role of head of State.
7. Rules Formalization: Formalize rules for selecting an Australian head of State as new sections in the Australian Constitution.
8. Referendum: Present the formal rules for selecting a head of State to the public through a referendum under Section 128 of the Australian Constitution.
9. Incorporate Divisible Crown: Ensure that the option of retaining the divisible Crown is included in any vote or plebiscite on an Australian republic.
10. Safeguard Against Secession: Request the United Kingdom and Canada to enact changes in Acts related to the Statute of Westminster to ensure consistent democratic rules for the Crown of Australia.
11. Transition Ceremony: On the specified date, transfer sovereignty from the monarch to the Australian people symbolically through the first elected Australian head of State.
12. Promote Democracy: An independent Australia with an elected head of State can serve as a democratic example within the Commonwealth of Nations and promote liberal democracies globally.
13. Embrace Complexity: Acknowledge the emergence of complex systems, like democratic divisible Crowns, as a natural evolutionary process.
14. Expert Understanding: Ensure that experts advocating for a republic have a basic understanding of Australia’s democratic system and the nature of the Crown of Australia.

In summary, the path to an Australian republic involves consultation, harmonization of terminology, preventing divergence, a Constitutional Convention, testing the election process, using existing platforms for campaigns, formalizing rules, holding a referendum, safeguarding against secession, requesting international changes, and symbolically transferring sovereignty. The goal is to transition to a republic while maintaining unity and preserving Australia’s democratic values and system.