Read Peter FitzSimons' bizarre idea of how Australian republic should be run

Peter FitzSimons wants the public to vote in a new head of state if Australia becomes a republic - but give them no power to choose who is allowed to run for the position.

The Australian Republic Movement on Wednesday unveiled its preferred method to appoint a new head of state by launching its Australian Choice model.

Under the new system, the states and territories would draw up a shortlist of Australia's best and brightest, with a national ballot then choosing a president from one of 11 applicants. 

The elected head of state would be at the helm for a five-year term but have no authority in day-to-day governance or passing laws.

Fitzsimons, who chairs the movement, said the system would ensure only Australia's 'most distinguished, respected and trusted citizens' could become president.

He said: 'People don't want a Trump-like figure and they don't want Shane Warne - they want an eminent person.' 

He said his model was more democratic than the failed 1999 referendum to give the federal parliament the power to select a president based on a two-thirds majority. 

'That model was rejected,' he wrote in a column for The Sydney Morning Herald.

'Republicanism itself was not rejected – all the polls show, then and now, that the bulk of Australians are not monarchists. It was the model that was rejected.'

FitzSimons said the proposed system would allow all Australians to play a role in deciding who their next head of state would be.  

'At last, all Australian voters will be able to make a choice for their preferred candidate, so that we as a nation finally have a complete government of Australians, by Australians and for Australians – one that is directly accountable to Australians.'

However many Australians have criticised the new model, saying it would still give politicians too much power to

read more from dailymail.....