Notre Dame academic interviewed by German television
Document Type
Media Release
Publication Date
Spring 14-11-2011
Publisher Name
The University of Notre Dame, Fremantle Campus
Publication Place
Fremantle
Abstract
The relevance of the British Monarchy for Australian people in 2011 was the topic put to Dr Martin Drum, Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at The University of Notre Dame’s Fremantle Campus, by a German television station recently.
Dr Drum was interviewed by German national television station ZDF (Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen) as Queen Elizabeth II touched down in Perth for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
The interview was broadcast into millions of European homes, including Germany and other countries such as Italy, Denmark and Belgium.
As Western Australia hosted the Queen and the leaders of 54 nations in the Commonwealth, suggestions were raised in media circles about the possibility of Australia breaking its ties with the United Kingdom and becoming a Republic.
Bureau Chief of ZDF German Television, Susanne Gelhard, asked similar questions of Dr Drum seeking a political insight into Australia’s place within the Commonwealth.
With opinion polls showing Australians are divided over the issue, Dr Drum suggested more focus needed to be placed on the nation’s current political system rather than the people leading it.
“Many of those who support a Monarchy argue that our Queen has been a good representative and carries out her duties with dignity and grace,” Dr Drum said.
“The question of a Republic though should ultimately be about the viability and relevance of the British Monarchy as a whole, rather than whether we like one individual or not.
“We need to find the best political system which would suit Australia and its people holistically.”
The Queen’s visit to Perth last month was her 16th trip to Australia since being crowned in 1953. MEDIA CONTACT: Michelle Ebbs, Tel (08) 9433 0569, Mob 0408 959 138 Leigh Dawson, Tel (08) 9433 0569, Mob 0405 441 093
Recommended Citation
Dawson, Leigh, "Notre Dame academic interviewed by German television" (2011). Media Release Archive. 335.
https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/media_release/335