Some advocates of monarchy have jumped on the film The King's Speech as evidence that Australia needs a monarch. Monarchists often argue like this when they want to personalise the constitutional debate by concentrating on a member of the Royal family with attractive features.
An important difference between republicans and monarchists is that republicans believe that individual virtues like humanity and service are widespread throughout the community. Monarchists on the other hand see such virtues concentrated especially in monarchs and Royal families. That is why republicans believe in democracy and campaign for more democratic political structures, while monarchists frequently talk of the magic of monarchy.
Neil Brown, writing the cover story of a recent issue of the Australian edition of The Spectator, claims that the evident humanity and commitment to service of King George VI, played by Colin Firth, will be a knockout blow in any future referendum on an Australian republic. Indeed he suggests that the NO case should send a DVD of the film to every household to guarantee victory for the monarchy.
Monarchs and members of Royal families can be humane, brave and/or dedicated to service. Of course they can. But so can many or even most people. We see it demonstrated around Australia every day, not least in the generosity of spirit shown in the current crises.
Republicans believe in the sovereignty of people and in their virtues. We don't believe that members of the Royal Family, whether it is Princess Anne in her speech in February 2009 at the Victorian bushfires memorial service (extravagantly praised by Brown as far superior to anything else that day) or Prince William, to name just two, have special features not found among the Australian community, including our elected representatives.
He compares Kevin Rudd, then Prime Minister, and John Brumby, then Victorian Premier, most unfavourably with Princess Anne. This criticism of elected representatives is not just a partisan shot by a former federal minister and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, but is rooted in a belief that Royal personages are superior people.
Humanity is a good thing wherever it is found. Of course it is. George VI demonstrates plenty of it in his valiant struggles, under the tutelage of the Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue, to overcome his stammer so that he can fulfill his public duties. But no amount of humanity in any member of the Royal family should counter the arguments in favour of Australia becoming a republic.
Those arguments do not depend either upon monarchs being indifferent or uncaring as Brown suggests. He misunderstands this point totally.
The argument is not personal but based on the principles of egalitarianism and democracy. Republicans sometimes need reminding of this point too. While personalities may make a difference to a referendum campaign they should never be confused with the case for a republic itself. But republicans rarely exhibit the distaste for elected representatives that monarchists encourage.
No film about members of the British Royal Family, no matter how humane and personable they are, will overshadow the case for an Australian republic at a future referendum.
The argument for an Australian republic does not depend either on Australians being especially good blokes and sheilas either. If it did then Logue, played by Geoffrey Rush, would be a republican hero.
He recognises authority but will not bow to it. He insists that his professional work with the Duke of York/George VI is conducted on a no frills, first name basis. He might be somewhat eccentric, but his humanity and humour are enormously appealing. Jack is as good as his master.
What Logue’s portayal does demonstrate is the difference between hierarchical aristocratic culture and egalitarian popular culture, not just then but now. Logue/Rush is an Australian to be proud of in this Australia Day week. Let’s celebrate the values he represents.
John Warhurst is Emeritus Professor of Political Science at the Australian National University and a columnist with The Canberra Times. He is Deputy Chair of the Australian Republican Movement.