Australia's republican movement has launched a new campaign that could see the country eventually sever ties with the British Royal Family and elect a new head of state.
The Australian Republic Movement unveiled its preferred method to appoint a new head of state with the launch of its Australian Choice model on Wednesday.
Under the proposal, every state and territory would get the chance to shortlist their best and brightest citizens to be Australia's head of state through a robust, merit-based selection process, which would then go to a national ballot of 11 applicants.
The elected head of state would be at the helm for a five-year term and be responsible for appointing a prime minister with majority support in the House of Representatives but will have no authority in day-to-day governance or passing laws.
The Australian Republic Movement is chaired by journalist and former Wallabies Test player Peter FitzSimons, who says the model will gives Australians more choice to choose from eminently qualified and suitable candidates to represent them.
The Australian Republic Movement, chaired by Peter FitzSimons (pictured with wife Lisa Wilkinson) has launched a new model proposing a new head of state
Australia's head of state is currently Queen Elizabeth II, aged 95, whose powers are exercised by the Governor‑General.
'We've consulted, we've listened closely and Australians have told us this approach will give our nation the best chance of success at a referendum, with an overwhelming majority of Australians likely to have the change,' Mr Fitzsimons said.
'This will give all Australian voters a merit-based choice about who speaks for them as head of state. The decision will be in their hands, unlike now, where it is luck of the draw who we get from the British Royal Family.
'I would like to thank both the thousands upon thousands of Australians who shared their views with us so we could take this historic step forward, and the constitutional experts who helped us refine it.'
Mr FitzSimons later told the Sydney Morning Herald: 'People don't want a Trump-like figure and they don't want Shane Warne - they want an eminent person.'
Australia's head of state is currently 95-year-old Queen Elizabeth II (pictured)
The ARM spent two years developing the new model in consultation with more than 10,000
