“We need constitutional reform, that is, a successful constitutional referendum, to make Australia into a republic.”

We do not “need” to make Australia a republic. John Warhurst and some others might “want” Australia to be a republic, but there is no need (meaning necessity) for Australia to become a republic. Most Australians have convinced politicians, via a referendum, that they do not feel the need and, while Australia might eventually become a republic, there are more pressing problems now and in the foreseeable future for us to be getting on with.

In the meantime, save us from bores like John Warhurst who think that their words, repeated often enough, will wear us down

The claim is that the majority desire a republic. Then - why did the republican camp loose when the nation voted on the issue? The 'desire" must be fairly weak to change the majority public opinion apparently as the voters approached the ballot box.

We wasted $93 million on the previous farce. Let's not go through that again.

The first of today's pieces frankly is banal. Its lack of substance is a reflection of the lack of merit in the Republican position. As has already been remarked, there may be a "wish" but not a "need". The issue ranks very low in the election, as it should. In due course the real matter in contention will be whether the Head of State should be elected. I shudder at the thought. iudex

The Republican issue is dead.

No-one is interested.

The people spoke; accept their decision.

Not being a Republic has absolutely no bearing on our quality of life or our system of democracy.

You may deem it anachronistic, but there is nothing more sad and pitiful than a rabble of vested individuals who keep sooking because they didn't get what they want.

Most of us have moved on.

I suggest you do the same.

If the republic movement is ever going to get anywhere, it must face the fact that it will be a three strike loser in the lead-up to any new referendum. This is because:

1. There has never been an instance since federation, where a referendum, having failed the first time, has passed on a subsequent attempt.

2. In the whole period since federation, despite all its attempts, the Labor Party has only succeeded in having one referendum passed, and that was sixty-one years ago.

3. The political elite seems unable to acknowledge the attitude of Australians toward politicians, and the comfort that so many people draw from the fact that the Queen, together with her representatives, under sections 59 and 64 of the Constitution, is standing by, ready to sack, and ready to disallow.

The four basic principles of Australian politics are:

1. The government is the ENEMY of the PEOPLE, and can never be trusted.
2. No taxation with or without representation, with any deficiency in government accounts being made up from the sale of politician’s assets.
3. The main problem with elections is that no matter whom you vote for, a POLITICIAN is ALWAYS elected.
4. ALWAYS vote NO at referendums.

The elite must realise that it is not for them to have ideas. The people have the ideas. It is the role of the elite to carry out the people's ideas. If they don't, they will be thrown out of office and replaced by those who will carry out the people's ideas. This, by the way, is called democracy.

As a result, if the elite really want a republic, they must offer something to the people that is worth giving up the Queen for. The best thing I can think of would be to offer Citizen's Initiative Referendum, where the people can enact legislation in the teeth of the opposition of the entire political and legal elite.

Of course, if this ever comes about, the first referendum would have to be on bringing back hanging.

Yes a timely reminder that in the midst of our more immediate problems the question of a republic should be on the agenda.In 1959 I held a "British Passport" when I travelled through Europe. Now, I WOULD BE "AN ALIEN" on arrival in England. In Germany when asked, who was our Head of State, I would be embarrassed to say "The Queen of England! If we consider it so small on our priorities, why not have a popular vote next sensis, to save money, a choice like Steve Irwin or Dawn Fraser!