Greg Barnes is right to point out the various archaic and redundant 'rules' surrounding the Monarchy, but he should avoid being seen to exploit public ill-feeling towards Charles as an individual.

Though a staunch republican I find personal attacks on the various royals to be exploitative and counter-productive. There are plenty of sound reasons why Charles should never be King of Australia without rubbishing the man.

I neither like nor dislike Charles as a person, but I do have some sympathy over the fact that his love for Camilla had been thwarted by institutional red tape and ended up strangling two make-do marriages.

The Church's opposition to divorce must surely crumble soon. No one should be condemned to endure a miserable mistaken marriage.

Mr Barnes - I believe it was Andrew Parker-Bowles who was her Majesty's Silver Stick In Waiting (he was also Princess Anne's but that's another topic).
I don't believe the number of wedding TV viewers means anything other than there was little alternative on FTA TV, and that all women like to look at expensive hatting and frocking. I watched every minute of the King of Jordan's funeral on cable because it was fascinating - doesn't mean I am in favour of Jordan in any way at all.
re Our Republic - I voted to maintain our Monarchic Constitution. I did not vote this way because I approve of the shenanigans of under-educated aristocrats. Show me a President of any country who behaves in a totally moral manner - the French Pres had a love child, Marcos stole all the money, don't mention Clinton, Kennedy or the Roosevelts. Do we need that? at least her Maj leaves us alone.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I'm not sure that all Australian's wish for our head of state to just "leave us alone" (from above). The vote for a republic was acually trying to change this.

There are fundemental problems when our first-world country's head of state is only 'ceremonial' or 'in-title' only. And we have serious issues when people have begun to accept this as the norm. Just because its happening now doesn't make it right.

To me it is somewhat offensive for "brownie" to simply state an issue but not address it. Don't you have a problem with the Queen not doing anything? If so, what is your suggestion?

So in Brownie's senario we get a president that is the same as the Queen...remind me Brownie...what have we lost?
We have gained and Australian citizen that isn't just a representative. That is reason enough.