Various Views

The Governor-General, Michael Jeffery, thinks Australia should never have a directly elected president, because he or she would argue with the prime minister and cause political instability ("Voters choosing a president is too risky, says GG", June 14-15). Never mind that a directly elected head of state would be much more democratic than the current system; never mind that tension between the president and prime minister could be productive and be used to keep each other in check; never mind that other democracies have such directly elected heads of state and function properly, such as Germany, Italy and Israel.

No, we should beware the dangers of full democracy.

Brad Ruting Woolloomooloo

King Siaosi Tupou V of Tonga, like his father before him, believes that democracy is "unstable" and "dangerous". He can appoint for life 10 of the 14-man cabinet, including the prime minister. He is reportedly dismissive of the competence and ability of ordinary Tongans.

Ridiculous and offensive - but see a pattern here? Unelected people in positions of power telling us that we can't be trusted with democracy or that the risks are too great.

As much as Major-General Michael Jeffery might be a nice bloke, his argument is an absolute insult to the intelligence of Australians.

Brendan Jones Annandale

For most of his tenure, the Governor-General, Michael Jeffrey, has been rarely seen or heard. Yet in Saturday's Herald he enigmatically states that he had "sent back about 15 pieces of legislation … that required his assent". If these rejections were for typos, then I say well spotted. If, however, the Governor-General has input into our laws and has the power to have legislation "corrected or withdrawn", then I strongly believe that the public needs to be provided with much more information.

Manuela Epstein Killara

The Governor-General is right to have reservations about a directly elected president and the effect it would have on our parliamentary system. A US-style election would be no more acceptable to serious Australian political thinkers than continuing adherence to the monarchy.

But the people must have their say. This could be done by having a single nomination put to the people for endorsement in the same manner as a single issue is put to the people in a referendum. Not an election but an official public endorsement.

This process could be applied to the incoming governor-general, Quentin Bryce, and it's all over. No more the Prime Minister (whom I admire greatly on other issues) having to refer obliquely to the model, no social revolution and - realistically - no chance in the world of Ms Bryce being knocked back. Some of Australia's early appointments may have stood a chance of rejection but Australians generally would give any fair dinkum nominee a go. But it is a reminder to those in charge of the process not to submit an absolute lemon. Most importantly: the Australian people would have the final say. And democracy would be the winner.

Wal Pritchard Mount Kembla