I don't think the "monarch" - or more correctly, the 'monarchy' - has an actual "role" in the Indo-Pacific or anywhere else. It is an important part of our history and tradition: something that republicans, ignorantly or deliberately, misunderstand. The monarchy makes no difference to the way we manage/mismanage ourselves down here. Those republican types just want change as part of their desire to replace our societies with something, which history would tell them if they studied it, would be very unpleasant.

PNG is already flirting with China, monarchy or not. So is New Zealand, another constitutional monarchy. Two countries to our top and bottom we need to keep an eye on.

Too bad if things in Barbados turn sour as they have in the Solomon Islands. In some ways the 'republicanisation' ceremony was bizarre with Prince Charles attending and the former GG becoming the president though still addressed as Dame. Perhaps Charles knows he is not the cohesive force his mother is and the future will be very different.

What bugs me about republicans is they seem very pleased with themselves over the symbolism of this. First they should demonstrate competence at running a country then claim to have all the answers.

Democracy is a smug word for Capitalism.
China is the leading Capitalist.
It’s easy to predict outcomes!

Dan

Democracy is a smug word for Capitalism.
diver dan,
Well, it certainly is a smug word for the Socialists who depend on Capitalism hand-outs & general generosity !

This article is a satire, right? In reality, Australia is way behind Barbados. The Australian "Republican" Movement hasn't got a clue. Morrison has a 1950s fanboy adoration for the Windsors, and nothing will shift him. Even if Albanese gets in, he is timid, and nothing much will change constitutionally.

I'm still recovering, from Gillard's all-time grovel to Charles and Camilla in 2012. I recommend that Australians commit acts of civil disobedience, when they do their first nauseating victory-lap as our king and queen.

"China's influence in the Solomon Islands is, as I have written on several occasions, massive, and even more so given that the SI only switched relations from Taiwan to Beijing in 2018. I have estimated that over 80 per cent of the SI exports go to China. And just about all public sector construction work is now undertaken by Chinese companies."

Whether its to gain a military advantage or not, it sounds like China is offering the people there a better deal.
How much public sector construction work occurred for the better of the nation before China started building ties with them?

"However, the very least we can do is to help facilitate royal visits to our region. It won't harm our regional standing, it will annoy China, but it will serve the 'Australian national interest' well."

- Is it really in Australia's national interest to annoy China? If so, how so?
And how does it serve Australian national interests?
Furthermore, what are our interests exactly?