Semi-presidential Regimes: Some Lessons for Australian Republicans?

The activities of successive Governors General of Australia have traditionally been couched in secrecy and this has prevented any meaningful public discussion of the subject. This article argues that, regardless of whether Australia continues to be a monarchy or transforms itself into a republic, far-reaching reforms are essential to ensure greater accountability for the position of head of state. In the view of the authors, heads of state do play, and should play, political roles, but they should be firmly and explicitly constrained in so doing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]