What's the point of being a Republic when it's the same mutts living in it that are there now ?
It doesn't matter what fancy descriptions for whatever fancy form of Government when the constituents aren't up to scratch themselves ?

A Republic means much more than just an “Australian Head of State”. The essential question remains: What kind of Republic? The ARM fails to deal with that aspect.

1. The approach to constitutional renewal requires a comprehensive strategy to reform governance problems. Piecemeal tinkering won't fix that. It hasn't worked for 112 years. Why should Australians continue to be bogged down under this archaic set of ground rules; an electoral system that grossly favours the major parties; a Westminster system that virtually guarantees functional amateurism in the Ministry through lack of choice?
2. The ARM's minimalist approach to a Republic remains totally inadequate. It should only be seen as a first step of a comprehensive strategy towards renewal of governance systems. That should include replacing the dysfunctional, costly federation.
3. The major parties have no policies of this kind in their platforms. This means that the people and their community organisations will need to develop platforms and channels with a view to effect major changes.
4. There is clearly a growing lack of trust in government institutions. There is a crisis of confidence by the public when, as in 2010, 3.25 million people avoided to vote. In a country which has compulsory enrolment, compulsory voting and compulsory preferencing! Ask yourselves: why the rush of new parties to get registered? Expect another Hung Parliament.

Surely, it is the democratic right of a sovereign people to completely re-write the Constitution and change the systems of governance. Waiting until the Queen abdicates is plainly nonsensical. Three recent PMs have conveniently dumped the issue into the too hard basket. The Gillard Government should revisit this issue as soon as possible. Multiple plebiscite questions could even be put to the voters at the forthcoming election to start an inexpensive consultation process, or even earlier on line. On the basis of the answers an appropriate first referendum could follow soon after. That can be done NOW Ms Gillard. May be this the only opportunity just in case you lose the election. Tackling the Republic issue in this fashion might even get you over the line.

individual - What's the point of being a Republic when it's the same mutts living in it that are there now ?

That is indeed a large part of the problem we face, given the most apathetic sheeple ever on planet earth, its difficult to imagine any significant change to the political circus. Even the fact that there are still one-eyed ALP fanatics & one-eyed LNP fanatics makes one question the nous of the sheeple.

klaas - Why should Australians continue to be bogged down under this archaic set of ground rules; an electoral system that grossly favours the major parties; a Westminster system that virtually guarantees functional amateurism in the Ministry through lack of choice?

Simple, the sheeple rate footbrawl / thugby / Days of Our Drearies / Home and Away far more relevant than the political circus

klaas - There is clearly a growing lack of trust in government institutions. There is a crisis of confidence by the public when, as in 2010, 3.25 million people avoided to vote. In a country which has compulsory enrolment, compulsory voting and compulsory preferencing! Ask yourselves: why the rush of new parties to get registered? Expect another Hung Parliament.

**ANYTHING** would be a significant improvement on the ALP / LNP rabble. Personally I'd rather vote for the drovers dog than the red-headed witch or the RAbbott !! At least mangy old hounds have some concept of honor, they don't tell porkies, and one always knows where they stand with a canine.

klaas - Surely, it is the democratic right of a sovereign people to completely re-write the Constitution and change the systems of governance.

Agreed, however the depth to which our elected officials have sunk & their untold arrogance / avarice ensures we can't expect any sense from that quarter. Mind you, even if the sheeple miraculously started taking an interest, the bloodsucking parasites in Canberra would declare martial law before allowing citizen initiated referenda or meaningful public input into a republic. Ask yourself why the staged event in Tasmania that led to the sheeple being disarmed ??