That's not true, Mahatma Sitting Duck. I cry every time I pull the trigger.

I have not watched the show, so I cannot comment on its content.

As an active republican, I am not in the least concerned about this show nor concerned by the interest in Princess Mary. I've made this point before. If anything, Mary is kind of an example of what we can all be - no longer subjects but sovereign in our own right as citizens.

Australians do not make up their minds about major constitutional issues based on a reality TV show or a new Danish prince. They are interested in what's best for Australia.

Voters rejected the last republic because the majority because they thought a directly-elected Head of State was appropriate and democratic. They look to republicans like me to put in the many hours to propose a safe, practical, fair and beneficial system.

Real and positive progress is being made. Ordinary citizens like myself are researching and developing models and concepts, collaborating with other republicans and being listened to by parliamentarians and decision makers. The movement is broadening, working together and steadfastly confident. A republic is inevitable because our commitment is unceasing.

For examples my contributions read The Copernican Constitution:
http://quadrant.org.au/php/article_view.php?article_id=1125
or the Honorary President Republican Model
http://www-personal.usyd.edu.au/~dlatimer/honpres/

Thanks to everyone who posted comments when an abridged version of The Copernican Constitution was posted at Online Opinion.

Too late, Republicans:

You should have thought about it earlier - when I, as all other immigrants, on becoming an Australian citizen, was required to swear allegiance to Her Majesty, Her Heirs and Successors: I had no relation to England before, but this oath should not be taken lightly and so I will remain loyal to my Queen and love Her till my last day!

Too late? The following is the citizenship pledge which came into effect in January 1994:

"From this time forward, [under God,] I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey."

The bracketed section is optional.

David,

unfortunately for you, I became an Australian citizen in 1991, when the wording of the oath/pledge were:

I [swear by Almighty God/solemnly and sincerely promise and declare] that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Australia, Her heirs and successors according to law, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Australia and fulfil my duties as an Australian citizen.

This of course does not mean that I am not anyway loyal to Australia and its people, share their democratic beliefs and respect their rights and liberties, but it does place the Queen first, doesn't it?

In a world where many countries are working towards closer integration, it is sad that our important ties with Britain are being severed or frittered away. Sad and foolish, but not irreversible. A wiser path would be to work for equivalence of citizenship, not only between Australia and the UK, but also with other British countries, like New Zealand and Canada.

The benefits are quite clear. At present, all the bright young things who go off to the UK to further their careers essentially have to choose between the two countries, but if we had mutual recognition of citizenship rights, such a choice would not be necessary. Careers could more easily be built in both countries, and we would have a far more flexible and highly-trained population as a result. Who could fail to see the advantages of adding the University of Edinburgh or the London School of Economics to the options available to Australian school-leavers? The number of British tourists that come to Australia suggests that the advantages are far from invisible to them too.

We tend to treat the old country like the family home: we like to be all independent and critical, but then we complain when we can't turn up unannounced on a Sunday and expect a roast. Sulking in the corner and demanding an elected "Australian" head of state does not lead to international respect: it is just embarrassing. We share our history, our institutions, our basic values and culture, and our sovereign. The sooner Australia starts behaving like a grown-up country and accepts these historical ties, the better.