At least in the lead up to Federation there was a genuine attempt at nation building. If we gave in to another referendum to rework the Constitution all that would happen will be an attempt by dominant groups and major parties to entrench their power to the detriment of democracy. A right-wing, insular and divisive Australia is not an era in which to revisit the country's principal document. It really ain't broke so I will be voting against change.

To those who say it failed the first time and there's no interest, I say you're wrong.

The model that was put up by Howard wasn't an attractive option.

I want a republic, but I voted against that model. In putting up that flawed plan, it effectively hobbled the movement and split the issues into three camps - opposed, in favour, and in favour but with a better model.

Even those who were pusing for that republic, by and large, wanted a different one.

I tend to agree it isn't an issue that should be of foremost concern and posters have made good points, but I reject the assertion that at that last vote, Australians made a clear choice to reject a republic. It was sabotaged from the beginning.

If it ain't broke,why fix it. What good would it do to become a republic?Billions more dollars down the shute,for what?Let's get real here.

I am a staunch republican and would love to see Australia have it's own head of state.

We had an opportunity when the referendum on this issue was held. Thanks to good ol' Malcolm "I know better than most Australians" Turnbull and his stubbourness we missed the opportunity.

Little Johnnie "divide and conquer" Howard did exactly that because neither the direct citizen vote model nor the let the pollies decide model was accepted. I think it showed no-one trusts politicians but I can't quite recall. Malcolm sure failed us all with that little misadventure!

Now is NOT the time to revisit this issue as we DO have much more pressing issues to deal with than becoming a Republic. Have people forgotten that we are involved in an illegal war in Iraq.

I too am sorry that I would have to declare our head of state to be "The British Queen" if I was asked... but really the Royals are a total irrelevance to me anyway and as I am unlikely to be asked it's no real biggy.

The Republican debate will never be properly advanced whilst we have John Howard, Malcolm Turnbull et al in charge of things... so why waste the money?

If you don't read so-called women's magazines you probably won't hear much about our head of state anyway... Hey a reason not to buy so-called women's magazines. Not reading those is bound to raise IQ's a point or two!

Knowing our luck Howard would become President after being booted out of office... Now that would be ironical and he would have the lack of principles to probably accept the position!

Goodness me! Why fight amongst ourselves. What the heck's wrong with you people. Grow up. We have our own anthem - why not our own Head of State. Is it only me - or didn't anyone else cringe - when John Howard had to go and ask the Governor General's permission to hold an election? Does it not bother anyone that the Governor-General (on the Queen's behalf) signs all laws passed by Parliament (Royal Assent). He signs delegated legislation (regulations) and approves the appointment of ministers, senior judges and other officials.

It's time we stood on our two feet - we're old enough to cut the apron strings. But I guess that won't happen - wishful thinking on my part. I keep forgetting - "The bigger the hat, the smaller the property."

“Is it only me - or didn't anyone else cringe - when John Howard had to go and ask the Governor General's permission to hold an election?”

I certainly didn’t cringe Foxy.

In fact I am not the slightest bit concerned about that sort of thing. Afterall, it is just formality. It really isn’t a significant part of our political process.

It doesn’t worry me one way or the other as to whether we hold on to this sort of tradition or whether we move on from it. What really worries me is the sort of governance we might end up with if we decide to have a republic and major constitutional reform.

I share caterine’s concerns;

“If we gave in to another referendum to rework the Constitution all that would happen will be an attempt by dominant groups and major parties to entrench their power to the detriment of democracy. A right-wing, insular and divisive Australia is not an era in which to revisit the country's principal document.”

The sort of doctrine espoused by Costello, or the Libs and Labs in general, would be bound to prevail, which would be an unmitigated disaster.

However, if we were to leave it for a while, until the principles of sustainability; including balance and limits to growth amongst various other things, became entrenched in the general community and the business community, then we would probably achieve a much better system of governance than we have now.