By Frank Enright
In March, for no apparent reason, New Zealand Prime Minister Jim Bolger declared for a republic in 2000. Many in his own National Party were taken by surprise, and the opposition Labour Party could only mutter that it would be difficult to accomplish in a country allegedly prone to devouring royal trivia.
Alliance foreign affairs spokesperson Keith Locke, in Sydney recently for the International Green Left Conference, told Green Left Weekly that there is a strong republican sentiment inside the five-party coalition. Locke said that Bolger's comments should be seen against a background of declining support for the monarchy over the past couple of decades, regardless of the Women's Weekly factor.
Locke says that New Zealand's stance against the visit of nuclear warships and the move away from the ANZUS military alliance contributed to a strong sentiment that the country can and should play an independent role. Bolger himself spoke of a "sensible continuum" towards a "truly independent nation".
"When Bolger raised the question, there was no huge reaction, no monarchist ground swell", Locke reports. He noted that New Zealanders are very practical people and want to see what is proposed concretely before committing themselves.
"I don't think people understand the critical role a head of state can play; there hasn't been a situation like in 1975 with the coup in Australia, where the governor-general did play a decisive role against the labour movement. People in New Zealand view the governor-general as irrelevant.
"There's not a full recognition yet that under a multi-member proportional voting situation, with no party gaining a majority, the constitutional position can be of great import. We may come to that realisation if the discussion proceeds."
Bolger hoped his comments might paint him as someone interested in progressive change rather than the boring old prime minister he is commonly perceived by in the electorate. According to Locke, the issue will be used as a distraction whenever public concern grows at the devastating policies on health, welfare and employment.
Regardless of Bolger's motives, Locke believes that New Zealand is definitely moving toward a republic and the year 2000 seems appropriate.