And here we have the real motivation for this article:

>If republicans want a republic ..... they need to support a republican candidate for Prime Minister at the next election.<

Pure Labor electioneering spin, pointing 'the finger' at The Hon. Tony Abbott, because he is not openly in favour of an Oz Republic.
Or could anyone really think that Matt could be promoting a push for the return of the former leader of the Republican campaign, The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, as our next PM? Hardy-ha, ha - as I wet my pants!

Where do Matt's primary allegiances lie - with a Republic, or with a duly aligned 'Labor' Republic?

>With the right leadership, message, alliances and hard work we can build a stronger nation as an Australian Republic.<

How about, we can 'build a stronger nation' (and are in process of doing exactly that, as a nation), without having to be, or to become, a Republic?
The concepts are not mutually exclusive, not even near.

Oz may be unique (or in small company) as a sovereign nation with a notional Head of State who is the Sovereign of another nation - being a nation with which Oz has had a long and memorable history.
I see nothing wrong with continuing that 'relationship'.

We have an 'Australian' representative of that Head of State, and have had for quite some years, and, setting aside Oz' involvement in WWI, this is an historical relationship which has done Oz more good than harm.
(And, even Oz' participation in WWI has forged a bond which runs deep in the Australian psyche, and probably also in many quarters in the UK. One should be careful not to 'make light' of Oz' contribution and sacrifice in that arena of conflict.)
Might I remind, real friends are increasingly hard to find, in a deeply troubled world.

If we want Oz to become a truly 'Asian' nation, a Republic would be a good place to start.

Divergence has nailed the key factor in the debate - the need for a person who has moral, not executive, authority to be the nominal head of state.
We are the a nation which has grown out of a very old series of traditions. While enthusing over our evolving future, there is the risk of overlooking the past, the foundation on which that developing future is based.
That past is not perfect by any means, yet it is a collation of mores which have given a form of detached political stability to the natural turbulence of a forming society by having, as the notional head of our country, a sovereign who is impartial and removed from day-to-day government.
There can surely be little quibble about retaining societal guidance from an overseas structure, as we alreadt do this culturally and politically by grasping hold of habits, lifestyles, attitudes and behaviour from America. Why discard our historic way of life and government for another flawed one?

It seems to me that no-one has addressed the most obvious issue...why? What are the advantages of becoming a republic? Head of state issues are secondary, as is calling ourselves "independent" since we are so intricately entwined into the global economy.

So what are the real advantages of becoming a republic? Who benefits and who loses? What are the ramifications upon our treaties, and from my understanding, they have to be renegotiated?

All I've read so far is people standing upon their own soap boxes of pet issues and words, but no reasoning for the obvious.

Yeah! Lets make the next referendum a priority issue. Things which are important are not a damn republ;ic. How about a referendum on ....

1. Reintroduction of the death penalty in all states.
2. The immediate deportation of any foreign national who engages in serious criminal behaviour, "refugee" or not.
3. The continuance of European culture through restricted Asian and Muslim immigration.
4. Full equality for aborigines with no special benefits.
5. Inequality for aboriginals with special benefits being maintained in exchange for reduced citizenship rights.
6. The sale of the ABC to private enterprise.
7. The removal of all benefits for those not resident in Australia.
8. An end to Muslim immigration into Australia for national security, crime prevention and welfare dependency reasons.

Was this article written by a kid for a school essay? Sure reads like it. No, no more positions of power required in this country, thanks Matt.

Maybe you should forget these trivialities and think about getting a policy or two together.