This paper canvasses the major issues and arguments surrounding the contemporary debate for and against alteration of the Australian Constitution for the purpose of establishing a republican head of state. The sounding board for many of these issues and arguments is the Report of the Republic Advisory Committee, An Australian Republic-The Options.
The more general themes of the republican debate are considered first. Next comes a summary of the main points of the Committee's report, followed by a survey of comments and responses to it.
References in this paper to the 'Constitution' relate to the Commonwealth Constitution.