As it happens, Crikey agrees with the views expressed by the Governor-General on the issues of same-sex marriage and the republic in her Boyer Lecture.
The problem is, as Governor-General she does not have the right to express such views.
As Governor-General, Quentin Bryce must be a national figure, one who brings us together rather than divides us. As the example of Sir William Deane showed, this need not be at the expense of engaging with the community. Moreover, the Governor-General is an appointed figure, not an elected one. Their views on significant political issues, whether the republic, same-sex marriage, or anything else, should be irrelevant to the performance of their duties.
In expressing such views, Bryce has taken sides on a political issue in a manner inappropriate for her role. They are divisive and add nothing to those debates. Australians who disagree with her are entitled to wonder why the representative of our head of state is using her position to advance them — in the same way that progressives would be offended if a conservative Governor-General expressed views with which they disagreed.
Bryce has been a successful Governor-General. But her decision to air her personal views on controversial issues was an error of judgment.
I thought Crikey was all about free speech !?
Of course our GG can express an opinion on controversial issues..though I happen to disagree with them on this occasion.
You’ve edged that little bit closer to the sort of repression that I believed your august publication would resist .
I conclude from this below statemen :
They are divisive and add nothing to those debates.
that Crikey believes that ordinary aussies cannt be trusted with their own judgment on these issues.
Shame on you Crikey
Complete nonsense, ed. The last GG to really politicise the position was John Kerr. He took it too far, but what’s the point of having a de-politicised Head of State (or even a rep of the HOS)? A rhetorical question, perhaps, but any answer might then show how pointless the office is.
What view does the great Crikey! hivemind hold with respect to the observations of Sir William Deane on various aspects of social policy?
Observations expressed, it pains one to say, whilst he held Vice Regal office.
Who the hell writes this rubbish? Get back to the age bolt; you have no place here. What a ridiculous ed.
Right from the start in her meet the people interview with ABC’s Kerry O’Brien she suggested she would act beyond the advice of the Govt, to which as memory serves O’Brien looked startled.
As he should. From that time on I thought this lady is capable of going rogue. In our system she is the agent no more or no less for the Parliamentary grouping in power. If she wants to advocate for her own views, she has to resign.
IMHO it’s not about free speech, it’s about accountability for the job role. She can say what she likes, but not as GG.