The Copernican paradigm is series of models for an Australian republic that suggest only replacing the King, whilst retaining the governor-general and state governors.
Professor George Winterton, noting this as advantageous, added the paradigm retains the nationally unifying element of a joint state-federal head of state.
[1] In the report of the 2004 Senate Inquiry republican models based on the Copernican paradigm were criticised as understating the amount of constitutional change required to establish a republic.
Senators queried the potential for duplication and confusion over the ceremonial roles of the Australian head of state and the governor-general.
He argued a "locally-resident directly-elected public officer" was not readily comparable to a "hereditary absentee monarch" and a future head of state would interfere with the exercise of the governor-general's powers to some degree.