The Meaning of The Crown

The Meaning of The Crown

When most people think of the word ‘Crown’ they automatically think of a jewelled headpiece. However, in a constitutional sense, the word has a far deeper meaning in an Australian context for it embodies the authority and the functions of government confined by the restraints established by the Australian constitution. Pictured alongside is the King's cypher with the symbol of the Crown.

Put simply, the Crown can be said to be the legal embodiment of executive, legislative, and judicial governance vested in the King and exercised in his name. The Crown also comprises the rule of law together with its institutions. It symbolises the defence, police and other services as well as any entity founded under the constitution including those established by the parliament. 

Therefore, when we say ‘under the Crown’ it not only means that we are under both the ultimate authority of the institutions of the Australian state and the Australian constitution, but that we are also protected by the checks and balances that are an inherent part of our monarchical system of governance.

Because the parliament is established under the Crown, the King is the head of the parliament represented by her Governor-General. This is why all members of the federal parliament are constitutionally required to swear or affirm allegiance to the King as are members of the defence and police services etc.

The Crown is a permanent entity whereas the wearer, currently King Charles III, is not. This is because someday, whoever is monarch, being mortal, must die whereas the Crown and all of its institutions and appendages, including the parliament, the public service, the judiciary etc., will continue on regardless.

It was the decision of the Australian people at the referendums of 1899 and 1900 that Australia would have its own system of governance subject only to the will of the Australian people but that we would remain under the Crown of the United Kingdom on the basis that that Crown would be subject solely to the Australian constitution and to no external influence.

This is why, whereas the King is King of the United Kingdom, he is separately King of fourteen other independent nations which we today call ‘Commonwealth Realms’. This means that when a matter peculiar to Australia comes up, the King can only listen to advice from his Australian ministers and not from his British ministers or anyone else. Similarly, with her other realms. The Crown in Australia being peculiar to Australia is termed the ‘Australian Crown’ although there has never been a crown-headpiece made specifically for the King to wear as King of Australia.

Because the King lives in the United Kingdom, he cannot be present in Australia except when he visits. Accordingly, the Australian constitution has made provision for a Governor-General to be appointed by him to act as his representative in and for Australia. The Australian prime minister nominates a person that nomination is presented to the King who then formally appoints that nominee as her Governor-General.

Once the King has appointed a Governor-General, he or she assumes duties both as the King's and the Crown’s representative as well as being separately empowered by the Australian constitution. Whilst the constitution does not mention the term ‘head of state’ the Governor-General can be said to be the executive head of state of Australia as he or she performs all of the duties expected of a head of state under the Westminster system of government.

 

QUESTIONS

  1. Once one understands the nature of the Crown - as a symbol and as the practical working heart of the Constitution, our governance begins to be understood. Explain, as if you were writing to an intelligent young person, the difference between giving allegiance to the Crown compared to doing so with the Constitution itself.
  2. The monarch or sovereign is of two natures - an individual human being and a body representing government, armed forces, law and so on. What is the single most important feature of our system of governance which gives us the edge over republics, dictatorships and the like?
  3. In legal cases (particularly criminal) the courts refer to the ‘King (or Crown) vs Name of the Defender’ as ultimately any wrong doing is contrary to the law which is the King's law. What other aspects of the Crown’s presence have you come across in your daily life? (Oaths, land, armed forces, parliament …)
  4. In 2002 the High Court found that allegiance to the Sovereign of Australia was ‘the fundamental criterion of membership’ in the body politic. From what you have read so far how do you explain the High Court’s judgment?
  5. The Crown is unaffected by political events. It transcends them, remaining continuously aloof because it protects the State and its Constitution by ensuring due process. Give some examples of the Crown’s role in day to day governance of our country.