Australia - as with many other liberal democracies - has a problem with TRUST!Loss of trust in our institutions and their leaders continues to wear down our social fabric. Continued flagrant lying by our politicians (including Prime Ministers) is just one example of why institutional trust is at such a low ebb.For the sake of future generations, we need to reverse this situation.Establishing and broad community support for an Ethics Institute would be a significant first step in stopping the rot and re-building trust and the compact that underpins our social fabric and order.

Constitutional Law expert and Scientia Professor George Williams has proposed another exciting idea for Australia’s governance. That is, to explore the opportunities our constitution offers and that the conventions with the Crown provide for selecting and appointing our Governor General. Prof Williams raises several interesting issues regarding the potential powers of the position and alternative ways of selecting and appointing a Governor General. Public discourse over these issues could catalyse community interest in our country’s governance and help us evaluate options for constitutional refreshment and our head of state's role, status and powers.