Tony Abbott has heightened speculation about the next governor-general of Australia. The first step was his letter to Julia Gillard demanding that the government make no appointment to the position, despite it having extended the term of the present Governor-General by six months until after the election.
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This set off speculation he planned to appoint former prime minister John Howard to the position, although Abbott was subsequently forced to rule this out.
A short debate about the suitability of former politicians to the position followed, and the consensus against former politicians was restated.
Then, General Peter Cosgrove, former chief of the Defence Force, emerged as the most likely Coalition government candidate.
Abbott then offered his opinion, restating his view that ''former military personnel and former judges, by and large, make the best vice-regal appointments''.
This general statement, even allowing for exceptions, does seem a rather casual and thoughtless backhander to Governor-General Quentin Bryce, and, for that matter, to NSW Governor Marie Bashir, who are both much loved and appreciated in their role.
Neither fits Abbott's template but they have brought energy and distinction to their offices.
More generally, as several respondents have noted, even with the rise in the number of women in the higher reaches of the military and the judiciary, Abbott's preference seems not to bode well for more female governors-general.
Nevertheless, what the Leader of the Opposition has done is to open up discussion about the desirable qualities and backgrounds of appointees to the governor-general's office.
The genie is out of the bottle and the issues are bigger than just gender; they extend to characteristics such as ethnic and professional background.
The republican debate over the past 20 years has overshadowed discussion of this issue despite the considerable evolution in modern times in the style and qualities of governors-general and of monarchs around the world. Abbott should acquaint himself with a book by an Australian, Professor Peter Boyce, The Queen's Other Realms: The Crown and Its Legacy in Australia, Canada and New Zealand, which describes this evolution.
Both monarchists and republicans should be committed to a modern governor-general reflecting the best of Australian national values. Neither side of the debate has given this question enough consideration because they have concentrated first on winning the constitutional argument.
On the republican side, the Australian Republican Movement vision and policy statement calls for a ''resident Australian citizen as head of state, embodying and reflecting Australian values and devoting his or her full and undivided loyalty and attention to Australia and its people''. But there are, of course, many different ways that a governor-general or a future president may embody and/or reflect Australian values.
The range of types of people appointed to the position of governor-general and governor in Commonwealth countries such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand in recent times has expanded considerably. They have been drawn from a wider section of society than in the past.
This has occurred in response to changes in society, including multiculturalism, and in social expectations. They have freshened up and strengthened the office considerably.
The same is true in many monarchies. The British monarchy is adapting to social change. One indication is the removal of discrimination against women ascending to the throne. Another is the tentative attempt to address the question of religious discrimination, initially by the limited step of allowing the monarch and other members of the royal family to marry a Catholic.
Australian governors-general and, if constitutional change ever comes about, future Australian presidents should come from a variety of backgrounds.
It is unwise to exclude outright any type of person, including even former politicians. It is also unwise to proclaim a preference for a narrow range of backgrounds as Abbott has done.
The spirit of Australia cannot be represented by a single office-holder; the diversity of backgrounds and characteristics is important. The people are best served by different types of occupants over time as in the case of political leadership. Diversity makes it more likely that the office of governor-general can promote unity and represent the nation to itself.
We should be open about the qualities and styles that may often be associated with particular backgrounds, but it is more important that we look widely for individuals with the right qualities. These include a record of achievement and respect in their life's work, an outgoing and empathetic personality and the ability to bring dignity and stature to the position.
General Cosgrove would probably make a good governor-general. He has had broad experience in several areas, including public administration and education, since leaving the military. His popular image as ''Raise a Glass'' Peter is one of an affable bloke who addresses serious issues. He already has a higher profile among the people than many governors-general who have served till now.
But the pros and cons of another military man right now (it would mean two of the past three as Major-General Michael Jeffery preceded Bryce) should be considered as we enter a lengthy and intense period of ANZAC commemoration.
For some, the times would suit the appointment of Cosgrove admirably. We would have someone who would personally embody ANZAC military values in a way any civilian would find difficult.
But for others it would be over-icing the cake to have a military man at this time. They would prefer someone of civilian background to provide some balance at a time when culture wars about national values are sure to rage.
John Warhurst is an emeritus professor of political science at the Australian National University and a past chair of the Australian Republican Movement.
