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Bruce Jackson

Selection of Head of State by Jury

One of the great dilemmas of constitutional change is how to have an involvement by Australian citizens in the selection of a head of state without going down the road of popular election of a President. Many Australians will rightly reject the USA experience where it becomes a media circus dominated by party politics. We also have a healthy scepticism for politicians and are reticent to see an appointment by the government of the day.

One model that addresses these concerns would be the appointment by a jury randomly selected from the electoral roll. This jury would come together in Canberra to make a selection from the nominated candidates.

They have access to any information they require and make a decision on our behalf. They could also have the power to come together and remove a "feral" head of state and force a new appointment by another jury. This could be in addition to removal by two thirds majority of parliament. A major advantage with this model is that jurors would take their role seriously and make their appointment from an informed position, not on charismatic personality or party allegiance. It also helps prevent us being governed by an "old boys club" as is the case in other non-elected models.

Bruce Jackson
38 Yarra Street, Warrandyte, VIC

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