Washington, Paris, Dublin, New Delhi? An analytical tour through potential republican constitutional models for headships of state for Australia and other Commonwealth realms

With the accession of a new Monarch in the United Kingdom, Commonwealth realms now find that they have a new head of state. In some realms, the end of the long and iconic reign of Elizabeth II may revive discussion of whether those states may wish to consider having their own heads of state, albeit remaining within the Commonwealth. If so, debate will focus on the historically developed republican models – presidential, semi-presidential and prime ministerial. The third model is notable for the separation of the roles of head of state and head of government. Yet the models may intersect, particularly where popular election is instituted for a ceremonial head of state leading to a heightened status. The ceremonial head of state will also retain key reserve powers and their role in proroguing the Parliament was recently considered in the UK Supreme Court decision of Miller v The Prime Minister [2019] UKSC 41. How monarchical reserve powers translate into powers of a republican head of state, and how such head of state is appointed, are key issues in the republican debate in Australia as exemplified in the republican models that have been postulated there and are here also considered.