David Morrison named Australian of the YearInternal politics stalls PM's vision for republicPM must act now on republic: Bill Shorten
Australian of the Year David Morrison would make an ideal head of state in a future Australian republic, according to Australian Republican Movement chairman Peter FitzSimons. 
General Morrison, the former army chief, has vowed to make pushing for an Australian republic one of his priority issues during his tenure as Australian of the Year.
"With great respect to those who don't share my views and recognising our proud history of European settlement in this country and beyond, over 200 years and more, I will lend my voice to the republican movement in this country," General Morrison said in his acceptance speech on Monday night.
"It is time, I think, to at least revisit the question so that we can stand both free and fully independent amongst the community of nations."
Although he acknowledged this would be controversial, General Morrison said it was time to restart the national conversation about a republic 16 years after the defeat of the 1999 referendum. 
General Morrison, who famously told officers who disrespect women to "get out" of the army, has been a member of the Australian Republican Movement for about five months. 
Mr FitzSimons said General Morrison would be a "boon" for the republican cause this year.
"I was doing cartwheels - it was just fantastic," Mr FitzSimons said of his appointment. 
"It is great to call him one of our own."
Mr FitzSimons said General Morrison, who led the army from   June 2011 to   May 2015, was the type of person Australians would be proud to have as their head of state.
"He would make an outstanding president or governor-general," Mr FitzSimons said. 
"I deeply admire him and the great service he has given our country."
Mr FitzSimons personally favours a minimalist republican model in which the prime minister selects Australia's head of state with the approval of the Parliament.
He said General Morrison's appointment had capped off an "extraordinary" day for the republican movement, which received front page coverage around the country by convincing seven of the eight premiers and chief ministers to sign a pledge affirming their support for an Australian republic. The movement has quadrupled its membership over the past year, he said, with republican Malcolm Turnbull's arrival as Prime Minister also boosting the cause.
Mr Turnbull has said he believes Australia will not move towards a republic until after Queen Elizabeth II has died.
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