Change the oath in Victorian Parliament – allegiance to people and state, not monarchy
Change the oath in Victorian Parliament – allegiance to people and state, not monarchy
The issue
MPs in the State Parliament of Victoria are legally obliged to swear allegiance to the Queen before being allowed to represent the people who elected them. That’s plain wrong.
Many of these MPs believe Australia should be an independent country free from the British monarchy – as do many of the constituents who voted for them. Many residents in Melbourne and Victoria want Australia to become a republic. We didn’t send our MPs to Parliament in order to see them pledge allegiance to the Queen before the people of Victoria.
It is also wrong that so many MPs are being forced to make a pledge they do not believe in, to a monarch across the other side of the world. We want MPs to be able to swear allegiance to the people who should really matter: the people who vote for them.
That’s why the pledge of allegiance should change from “I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty and Her Majesty's heirs and successors according to law” to:
"I pledge my loyalty to Australia and to the people of Victoria."
If you agree that our MPs should be pledging allegiance to us, the people of Victoria, instead of the British monarchy, please add your support to this petition. Together we can put enough pressure on the Premier of Victoria to make this change.
This change is needed urgently! If we can't get the current Premier and State MPs to agree to this change, the next lot elected will be bound by the current rules and will have to swear an oath before taking any decisions!
MORE INFORMATION
What is the current parliamentary oath in Victoria?
Upon taking their seats, all MPs are required to take either an oath of allegiance (which includes a reference to God) or an affirmation (which does not include reference to God). The current wording of each is:
(Oath) I swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty and Her Majesty's heirs and successors according to law.
(Affirmation) I do solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty and Her Majesty's heirs and successors according to law.
What do other states and territories do?
It varies. In New South Wales, State MPs swear allegiance to Australia and the people of NSW. It is optional in WA and ACT to swear allegiance to the monarchy. Tasmania, SA and NT still swear allegiance to the Queen too, as does the Federal Parliament.
Why not just make it optional instead of changing it completely?
That’s a possibility and would help solve the problem. However, the Victorian Government in 2009 argued against having optional oaths, saying all MPs should take the same oath (even though they can already choose to include a reference to God or not).
How would this happen in practice?
Quickly and easily – the Victorian Parliament votes through a simple change to the State’s Constitution Act amending the wording of the oath and affirmation to the text above. That’s it!
Who is behind this campaign?
I’m the organiser of the Australian Republican meetup group, a small band of republicans who meet regularly in Melbourne to discuss the issues and share ideas (not affiliated to the Australian Republican Movement, though supportive of it). I’m actually British by birth, but believe it is time for Australia to stand on its own two feet as an independent nation.
But this isn’t specifically a republican campaign anyway. Even many Victorians who don’t give two hoots about the republican debates can see the logic in having their MP pledge allegiance to the people they are elected to represent instead of the British monarch.
Why now?
Parliament and the Premier will need time to consider this – though hopefully not too much time! If we can create a strong campaign now, we could push them to get a simple change in place by the end of the year, ready for the next batch of MPs in the 2018 state elections.
Aren’t there more important issues to tackle?
Sure, lots of them. But we don’t just have to deal with one issue at a time, do we? That’s a recipe for inertia.
What else can I do?
Glad you asked! After you sign this petition, please email your own state MP and ask them to support the campaign. Let us know how you get on.
Please also share the link to this petition with on social media and with your friends and family.
Thanks for your support!
The issue
MPs in the State Parliament of Victoria are legally obliged to swear allegiance to the Queen before being allowed to represent the people who elected them. That’s plain wrong.
Many of these MPs believe Australia should be an independent country free from the British monarchy – as do many of the constituents who voted for them. Many residents in Melbourne and Victoria want Australia to become a republic. We didn’t send our MPs to Parliament in order to see them pledge allegiance to the Queen before the people of Victoria.
It is also wrong that so many MPs are being forced to make a pledge they do not believe in, to a monarch across the other side of the world. We want MPs to be able to swear allegiance to the people who should really matter: the people who vote for them.
That’s why the pledge of allegiance should change from “I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty and Her Majesty's heirs and successors according to law” to:
"I pledge my loyalty to Australia and to the people of Victoria."
If you agree that our MPs should be pledging allegiance to us, the people of Victoria, instead of the British monarchy, please add your support to this petition. Together we can put enough pressure on the Premier of Victoria to make this change.
This change is needed urgently! If we can't get the current Premier and State MPs to agree to this change, the next lot elected will be bound by the current rules and will have to swear an oath before taking any decisions!
MORE INFORMATION
What is the current parliamentary oath in Victoria?
Upon taking their seats, all MPs are required to take either an oath of allegiance (which includes a reference to God) or an affirmation (which does not include reference to God). The current wording of each is:
(Oath) I swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty and Her Majesty's heirs and successors according to law.
(Affirmation) I do solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty and Her Majesty's heirs and successors according to law.
What do other states and territories do?
It varies. In New South Wales, State MPs swear allegiance to Australia and the people of NSW. It is optional in WA and ACT to swear allegiance to the monarchy. Tasmania, SA and NT still swear allegiance to the Queen too, as does the Federal Parliament.
Why not just make it optional instead of changing it completely?
That’s a possibility and would help solve the problem. However, the Victorian Government in 2009 argued against having optional oaths, saying all MPs should take the same oath (even though they can already choose to include a reference to God or not).
How would this happen in practice?
Quickly and easily – the Victorian Parliament votes through a simple change to the State’s Constitution Act amending the wording of the oath and affirmation to the text above. That’s it!
Who is behind this campaign?
I’m the organiser of the Australian Republican meetup group, a small band of republicans who meet regularly in Melbourne to discuss the issues and share ideas (not affiliated to the Australian Republican Movement, though supportive of it). I’m actually British by birth, but believe it is time for Australia to stand on its own two feet as an independent nation.
But this isn’t specifically a republican campaign anyway. Even many Victorians who don’t give two hoots about the republican debates can see the logic in having their MP pledge allegiance to the people they are elected to represent instead of the British monarch.
Why now?
Parliament and the Premier will need time to consider this – though hopefully not too much time! If we can create a strong campaign now, we could push them to get a simple change in place by the end of the year, ready for the next batch of MPs in the 2018 state elections.
Aren’t there more important issues to tackle?
Sure, lots of them. But we don’t just have to deal with one issue at a time, do we? That’s a recipe for inertia.
What else can I do?
Glad you asked! After you sign this petition, please email your own state MP and ask them to support the campaign. Let us know how you get on.
Please also share the link to this petition with on social media and with your friends and family.
Thanks for your support!
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Petition created on 12 May 2016