Confusion reigns, the enemy must be at the gates.
As far as I can tell the balance of the Tasmania cares little about the whimperings from the commentariat, the old guard [weren’t they once the new guard], old money and other associated fogies and hangers on on matters Vice-Regal in Hobart Town.
Herr must be a trifle confused about the fulfillment of the role of Head of State.
Butler criticised for axing military role
The Queen's representative to the Australian Government is indeed the Commander in Chief in the absence of the Queen of Australia. Advised by the government in Executive Council either office holder is constitutionally bound to take that advice. Sensible governments hand the management of the defence of Australia to the Chief of the Defence Force, hopefully a more skilled professional than any opponent, and take their advice.
State control over defence was handed to the Commonwealth in 1901 when the Australian Constitution was enacted. We slipped our colonial status at that time and this has been confirmed by the Statute of Westminster in 1934 and later changes, including making the High Court of Australia the last point of appeal.
Like the anachronistic Legislative Council, the colonial hangover of a military aide-de-camp has been superseded by the exigencies of modernity. In the unlikely event that Mr Butler is filling the role of Governor General in the next 5 years, [it is a seniority posting and he is a junior as a state Governor and the post would also have to be vacant] it is unlikely that Mr Butler would be calling on the military skill of an officer below staff or general rank to advise him on policy or defence matters or even be a conduit to the Defence Forces, that would be most improper.
I am unsure what Herr expects of the role of Governor?. Is it to remain locked in a time capsule with court dress and cockaded hat reviewing F Troop of the Tasmanian Rangers when he visits Zeehan [Yes it’s true, F Troop was on the West Coast] and entertaining the A list in the grand style when in residence.
I note that Herr has not advised us of the legislation that Mr Butler has infringed by modernizing the office and employing a professional executive assistant skilled in the management of the role of the figurehead of a state of a federation.
Once, long ago, Governors were likely to be military men. Now they come from many backgrounds, potentially, their experience of the world bringing to the office valuable skills and qualities, but above that providing a figurehead removed from the political day to day to represent the idea of Tasmania to our community and to visitors.
Time will judge if diplomat Butler will be any worse than lawyer Green or farmer Burbury. Harking back to soldier Arthur as a role model can only be the dreams of a boy with a drum to beat.
A full disclosure by phill Parsons. He has served as an ADC many years ago. He was called on to open and close doors and appear military. He has met the current Governor in an official capacity and thought he filled the role adequately. He has heard Herr often and wonders why.
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Friday, July 30, 2004