The push for Australia to become a republic is back in the spotlight with local republicans meeting in Maitland overnight.
Paterson MP Meryl Swanson was joined by Chair of the Australian Republican Movement Peter FitzSimons to open up the conversation about Australia's independence with locals.
The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) considers the political climate is right to re-ignite the discussion, with support coming from the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader as well as state and territory leaders.
The ARM believes we need a head of state which reflects our Australian values, rather than a monarch in a foreign country.
Peter FitzSimons is proposing Australia remains part of the Commonwealth and retains the Westminster system of government - the only change being the Governor General becomes our head of state, with the parliament to vote on the Prime Minister's choice for the role.
"At the moment the Prime Minister chooses the Governor General and he asks the Queen of England 'is it okay?' In a new system, the Prime Minster chooses the Governor General and instead of asking the Queen of England, asks the Parliament of the people."
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Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull has said in the past Australia gaining its independence as a republic won't happen before Queen Elizabeth II ends her reign, with seemingly too much love for her amongst the Australian people.
Another argument Meryl Swanson often hears is people questioning whether now is the right time for a republic when there are so many other important things happening in our country.
"Well, I say there are always more important things - people want to pay their mortages, they want to raise their children, they want to enjoy their retirement. We all want to live in a wonderful country. We can do that with an Australian head of state."
The debate has happened before, but Peter FitzSimons says the minimalist model he's proposing is much simpler than the one which went to a referendum in 1999.
"Under the current system the democratically elected leader of the Australian people asking an unelected English lady "is it alright with you English if I do this in Australia?" New system Prime Minister chooses the Governor General instead of asking the Queen of England asks the Parliament of the people,"
Whether or not the Australian people want to become independent would be decided through a plebiscite asking are you for or against, and from there a model would be looked at.
"At the moment the authority of the Prime Minister rests upon democracy, the will of the Australian people, lets have the same system for the Governor General."
