Time to Redefine Australian Identity and Sovereignty
Australia’s identity and governance remain tethered to its colonial past. As a nation, we still recognise the British monarch as our head of state, lack a treaty with the First Nations Peoples, and navigate unresolved questions about sovereignty and justice. These realities not only hinder our progress but also perpetuate a sense of dependence and injustice that clashes with our modern identity.
In the wake of events such as the release of The Palace Letters, uncovered through Dr. Jenny Hocking’s relentless pursuit of transparency, it’s time we ask ourselves critical questions: Why does Australia still pledge allegiance to a foreign monarch? Why do we remain one of the few countries without a treaty with its Indigenous Peoples? And, most importantly, how can we redefine our identity for the benefit of all Australians?
Only 33% of Australian ancestry identify as English (abs.gov.au, 2025)
The Colonial Legacy: A Tether to the Past
Australia became a federated nation in 1901, but the Constitution explicitly enshrined the British monarch as head of state. Today, King Charles III holds this role, represented locally by the Governor-General. While largely ceremonial, the monarchy’s influence is embedded in Australia’s legal and political framework, allowing potential for intervention.
The 1975 dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam by Governor-General Sir John Kerr, now illuminated by the release of the Palace Letters, is a stark reminder of this vulnerability. These letters, housed by the National Archives of Australia, reveal correspondence between Kerr and Buckingham Palace about Whitlam’s dismissal, underscoring how the monarchy’s influence can and does reach into Australian democracy.
Australia’s identity and governance remain tethered to its colonial past. As a nation, we still recognise the British monarch as our head of state, lack a treaty with the First Nations peoples, and navigate unresolved questions about sovereignty and justice. These realities not only hinder our progress but also perpetuate a sense of dependence and injustice that clashes with our modern identity.
In the wake of events such as the release of The Palace Letters, uncovered through Dr. Jenny Hocking’s relentless pursuit of transparency, it’s time we ask ourselves critical questions: Why does Australia still pledge allegiance to a foreign monarch? Why do we remain one of the few countries without a treaty with its Indigenous Peoples? And, most importantly, how can we redefine our identity for the benefit of all Australians?
25% of all Australians do not speak English at home (abs.gov.au, 2025)
The Colonial Legacy: A Tether to the Past
Australia became a federated nation in 1901, but the Constitution explicitly enshrined the British monarch as head of state. Today, King Charles III holds this role, represented locally by the Governor-General. While largely ceremonial, the monarchy’s influence is embedded in Australia’s legal and political framework, allowing potential for intervention.
The 1975 dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam by Governor-General Sir John Kerr, now illuminated by the release of the Palace Letters, is a stark reminder of this vulnerability. These letters, housed by the National Archives of Australia, reveal correspondence between Kerr and Buckingham Palace about Whitlam’s dismissal, underscoring how the monarchy’s influence can and does reach into Australian democracy.
Dr. Jenny Hocking, in her 2016 book, The Dismissal Dossier: Everything You Were Never Meant to Know About November 1975, and her 2020 book, The Palace Letters: The Queen, The Governor-General, and the plot to dismiss Gough Whitlam, both explore in truth and accuracy the broader implications of this event. As Hocking (2016) argues, “The dismissal crystallised the tension between Australia’s aspiration for independence and its ties to the British monarchy.” Her work raises a pressing question: Can a nation truly call itself independent when its governance is tied to a foreign crown?
The First Nations Question: A Treaty Long Overdue
While countries like New Zealand and Canada have negotiated treaties with Indigenous Peoples, Australia has not. This absence highlights the ongoing failure to recognise and honour the First Nations Peoples as the traditional custodians of the land.
A treaty could serve as a foundation for justice and reconciliation, addressing systemic inequality and affirming the sovereignty of First Nations Peoples. The Uluru Statement from the Heart, a landmark call for constitutional recognition, emphasises the importance of enshrining First Nations voices in governance. However, this vision has yet to be realised.
Without a treaty, Australia perpetuates the injustices of colonisation. As a nation, we must confront this history and take meaningful steps toward justice.
42% of the population in Cairns, Australia were not born in Australia (abs.gov.au, 2025)
The Apathy Barrier: Why Change Has Been Slow
Despite these glaring issues, many Australians remain disengaged. The monarchy is often seen as irrelevant to daily life, and the complexities of treaty-making are misunderstood.
This apathy stems from several factors:
Lack of Education: The history and implications of the monarchy and the absence of a treaty are not widely taught.
Political Inertia: Politicians avoid these contentious issues to maintain the status quo.
Division: Australians are split on what should replace the monarchy or how a treaty should be negotiated.
The failed 1999 referendum on becoming a republic illustrates these challenges. Disagreement over the proposed model for a republic—not necessarily support for the monarchy—was a significant factor in its failure.
Only 26% of Australians have a university Bachelor degree or higher (abs.gov.au, 2025)
22% of the Australian population do not finish High School (abs.gov.au, 2025)
A Call to Action: Why Australians Should Care
Remaining tied to the monarchy and failing to negotiate a treaty are not just symbolic issues— they have real consequences for our governance, identity, and future:
1. Sovereignty: An Australian head of state would affirm our independence and national identity.
2. Justice: A treaty with First Nations peoples would be a step toward addressing historical injustices and fostering reconciliation.
3. Democracy: Reducing constitutional ties to the monarchy would ensure Australian governance is free from external influence.
Events like the release of the Palace Letters should serve as wake-up calls, reminding us that these issues affect Australia at the highest levels of governance.
47% of all Australians have parents that are born overseas (abs.gov.au, 2025)
Moving Forward: The Path to Change
Reforming Australia’s identity requires political courage and grassroots momentum. Here’s how we can start:
Educate the Public: Campaigns and curricula must focus on the monarchy’s constitutional role and the importance of a treaty.
Elevate Voices: Amplify First Nations leaders and scholars advocating for sovereignty and justice.
Engage Younger Generations: Inspire younger Australians to see this as a pivotal issue for their future.
Hold Leaders Accountable: Demand that political leaders prioritize discussions about a republic and a treaty.
53% of the population in Cairns, Australia do not identify as religious (abs.gov.au, 2025)
Change may be slow, but it is possible. As Dr. Hocking’s work demonstrates, persistence and transparency are vital in challenging the status quo. Australia’s future lies not in its colonial past but in embracing a truly independent and inclusive identity.
It’s time for Australia to move forward—not just as a nation, but as a truly independent and just society. Will we rise to the challenge?
References:
Australian Government (2025) Australian Bureau of Statistics, The Australian Census 2021, www.abs.gov.au
Australian Government (2025) The Palace Letters (National Archives of Australia): www.naa.gov.au
Australian Government (2024) Uluru Statement from the Heart: www.ulurustatement.org
Hocking, J. (2016) The Dismissal Dossier: Everything You Were Never Meant to Know About November 1975, ReadHowYouWant, Australia.
Hocking, J. (2020) The Palace Letters: The Queen, The Governor-General, and the plot to dismiss Gough Whitlam, Scribe Publications, Australia
Midjourney (2025) ‘An Australian republic with an Australian as their head of state. Green and gold coloured suit, no colonial colours’ [AI Generated image] by credogg