Nerk...There are plenty of Queens in Australia so the highway will remain. New taxes are constantly being devised without the British attachment. The money we pay to England should help cover them.
I believe it would be the stupidest thing ever to become a Republic.
The Magna Carta is one of the most meaningful documents ever written, it has survived 800 years and there is no reason as to why it should be changed.
It was written with the hearts of people in mind and to this end should remain.
Exponential Thinker.....The Declaration of Independence and The Bill of Rights were based on the Magna Carta for America's fight for freedom.
Jackie> it takes balls to be a queen.
Until Australia can stand on its own two feet and stop comparing itself to other countries (as in "It happens over there why can't it happen here?" or "We are a laughing stock of the world it makes me ashamed to be Australian" and so on, and stop worrying about what the neighbours think, we are quite simply not ready for a republic.
In any case the captain of the cricket team has to retire first so we can all join in demanding he be the President - but only if he wins the ASHES in the same year! Otherwise we want him sacked!
KSS I agree with you maybe we are not ready to be a Republic and yes we need to stop comparing and following other countries ...... We need to be independent with our own ideas and needs and be able to resolve our problems without other countries assistance.
But one thing we need to consider and have a serious thinking about is the set up of a Bill of Rights’ (BOR) for all citizens to be able to defend ourselves from the injustice and power people that kick us every time .... And they get away with everything but with a BOR at least we can defend ourselves legally.
And as Jackie is saying ..... The BOR will help us to defend our freedoms.
Something to remember about our country structure ……..
“Australia is a federation, a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. This means that Australia: Has a Queen, who resides in the United Kingdom and is represented in Australia by a Governor-General."
We are not independent we still depending from others .......
I'm not sure when will be the best time for a Republic here, but I look forward to a time when our Country is no longer called "Crown Land", (unless it has been bought under a title such as "Torrens", another English influence).
I actually prefer our voting system, compared to a Republic like the USA's, which is ridiculous. Why not just substitute the GG for the "President" and may the President be the Australian of the Year.
A Republic will give us a clean slate regarding Aboriginal recognition, a Bill of Rights and the best thing, we can redefine who owns what is above and below the soil. No longer would mining companies be able to seek an Exploration Licence, which, when given, is in effect a licence to take everything they want under the soil, regardless of whether they pollute or destroy farmland, aquifers and surface water supplies. Farmers and greenies rejoice. Reclaim Australia indeed!
Bring it on!
I say if its not broke don't fix it -- I could not give rats about the Queen -- but I worry if we becaomea republic who the hell will be GG -- some war monger/darn sports person/or some dopey celebs and WHO gets to choose -- more jobs for the boys
No, to a republic...but really at my age I could not care less!
Same here Radish
Yep.
PlanB spot on.
The late and former High Court Chief Justice, Sir Harry Gibbs who supported a constitutional monarchy, raised serious questions concerning the reserve powers of a republican president. He said that while a Governor-General would be restrained by the need to keep the monarchy he or she represents aloof from politics, a president would have an independent authority derived from the Constitution. "It is by no means improbable that a president would flout the conventions and use the powers as he or she pleased, either because of a political motive, or because of a wish to assert the importance of the office."
He also mentioned that in some cases it could be impossible to get the two-thirds majority needed in Parliament to remove a president who behaved improperly or showed political bias.
The fact that the Governor-General may be removed at will provides an additional check against abuse of power.
Constitutional monarchies have been successful in nations as diverse as the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Thailand, Japan, Spain and Jordan and in post colonial countries as Australia, New Zealand and Canada with an absent Monarch and resident Governor-General.
Let's leave well enough alone!
This country needs to earn the right to be a republic. White Austraia started out as a convict colony. Australia still is a convict colony, only now we are run by them.
Totally disagree with you Crimmo, they are just criminals as none of them have been convicted,,,,,,, YET.
White Australia did not come about until 1901 when Australia became independent . Against the wishes of the UK Government .
Incorrect.
Australia did not become "independent" until March 3, 1986, when the Australia Acts, came into force. They state that the British government is no longer responsible for the government of any state and that the Westminster parliament can no longer legislate for Australia. Most important, they transferred into Australian hands full control of all Australia's constitutional documents. So March 3, 1986, is the day Australia achieved complete independence from Britain.
Your interpretation is incorrect .
The Federation of Australia came into bein in 1901 . The British Government could no longer legislate for.the federation .
The State governments could still appeal to the house of laws in any dispute with the Federal Govt . This ceased in 1986 . As did the term British Subject .
Utter rubbish and I will not even waste my time with any further reply.
When I read your argument Banjo and Brocky I thought to myself they are both correct so I did a bit of fishing!
http://criminologyassignments.blogspot.com.au/2009/08/did-australia-become-legally-and.html
http://www.australia.gov.au/about-government/how-government-works/federation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_Act_1986
https://www.quora.com/Is-Australia-a-truly-independent-country-since-it-shares-queen-with-UK
This would make a good programme for Geoffrey Roberston's Hypothetical!
https://www.abccommercial.com/librarysales/program/geoffrey-robertsons-hypotheticals
'Is Australia Truly independent'?
I used to enjoy his programme.
Details of how America grew up and became independent! https://www.quora.com/How-did-the-US-gain-its-independence-from-the-UK http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/07/04/10-things-might-not-know-about-our-independence.html
A quote from the above reference .
"English common law. These ideas can even be seen at work in the medieval era with Magna Carta first established 1215. Our Founding Fathers sought independence in order to preserve their "natural-born rights as Englishmen." Though it is true no colony had ever succeeded from the mother country before and the British were quick to call it treason,"
The American war of independence was a civil war .
Their were mistakes on both sides . The colonies should have contributed taxes to pay for their defence costs .
The mother country should have granted the colonies representation in Parliment .
I am perfectly fine with things as they are and at this point I see no reason to even think of a republic while the Queen is still alive. Having said that, I'm not too sure how her successor will fare. Suppose we shall have to wait and see.
A republic comes with its own set of problems.
True, but time waits for no man and time is marching on.
HM is of an age that most people do not reach Banjo.
Australia seems to keep on saying 'she'll be right mate' we need to prepare for the future not sit idle.
No system is perfect, but Charles or William do not seem that popular.
Isn't it time we rewrote the book and made our own Australian history?
I would just like to know how and who would be chosen and by whom -- we don't need some Celeb/War monger/Sports person and you can bet thats who we will get -- it will be more jobs for the Boys/Girls
God forbid!
Thats why we need to get organized and work on it, even if it takes a decade.
Just off the top of my head, why not have a Referendum with say a dozen names to vote for nation wide and then take the first 4 most popular names and then have another referendum on those 4 names.
Yes it will be expensive, but think it as an investment in Australia.
Yes I see what you are saying Attila but boy we are running out of money fast and need it for more important things at this time me thinks -- so much was and is wasted on outdated war machines -- same as always they can find billions to kill and maim but nothing to help people
Interesting question.....
If Britain gets rid of their present system, what happens to the Dominions?
Do we nominate our own Royal to wear the Australian crown?
pick me pick me!!!!
Austrlia already has its own monarchy quite independent of the UK .
We know that you don't need to tell us Brocky!
Then why did you pose the question?
Why are you using the Royal we.?
Oh boy!
I am not the only one that uses the royal we around these traps!
You make typing errors your self, look at the above you hit it twice so it is duplicated.
You try to twist things around to suit yourself. But it is not going to work with me youngman.
Thank you old lady.
I did not repeat myself old lady. Maybe you should have a check up.
As I am 75 I guess for you to call me young man you must be in your nineties , which would explain a lot.
Republic? will mean new taxes, eg: road toll charge Brisbane to Sydney, no more "Queens Hiway"