"Australia is also now in a position where our Prime Minister and Opposition Leader, almost all of our Premiers and Chief Ministers and even our Chief Justice are republicans."

I am shocked, shocked, to hear this. Earlier this year, when the new parliament was opened, each of these politicians swore on oath or affirmed that they would be faithful, and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty.

Are you now saying that they were lying in their teeth? If, so, how can I believe anything they say?

it is important, ludwig. the transition to a republic is an opportunity to inject some fundamental democracy into oz. but it needs preparatory discussion.

the alternative is to leave the transition in the hands of the same people who have looted the planet and led the people to the brink of ecological disaster. the people who created our problems are not going to solve them. they can not, for their personal status and wealth is tied up in the way things are.

oz needs a new source of leadership and a new energy that springs from a new class: the citizens, masters of a new democracy.

The problem with the active pro-republicans is one of a complete lack of general acceptance by the ordinary man or woman in the street who is much to busy earning a decent living in a proper job. There is always the lurking suspicion that the vocal ones expousing the cause are doing so for nefarious reasons. The author is very obviously grinding his axe, as did Malcolm Turnbull pre politics, as did William Hayden pre governor general. Let the status quo prevail, it has served this country well for over two hundred years with stable democratic government. We just don't need these tropical fruit republics or even their idea's thrust upon us from dubious sources?

I agree that pro-republic Australians are being too premature in this. I do not think our government representatives will do the right thing. The environment is far too politically correct for my tastes, and far too committee oriented also. You are never going to get an inspiring document from a committee of bureacrats that is suitable for the Australian republic.

I agree with most of the contributions here. The republic is not a necessity, but more of an acessory. The important thing is that the Australian public will choose to become a Republic when THEY are mature enough or feel it's the right time.

The ordinary people in society are rightfully suspicious of the motives of many Republicans and the way they skim the cream off the top of society for themselves. I was a little irritated with Red Kerry's (highly indulgent) interview with Quentin Bryce the other night where she didn't seem to think the Queen's representative was primarily a rubber stamp. This is exactly the sort of elitism much of the Oz public don't like nor trust. And as long as the public draw breath and feel the elites are running the show from behind the scenes, they'll never support a Republic at a Referendum.

As other contributors have said, it's not like the Republic is that important to the everyday lives of Australians. The public is almost certainly going to take its time on this one.

because, ludwig, the republic is likely to appear soon, and it's character is vital to the well-being of ozzians.

i voted against the republic referendum, because it's better to have one person who can say 'no' to politicians, than none. it would be better, infinitely, to have democracy. unfortunately, "you get the government you deserve" is quite appropriate here, and ozzians are not now citizen quality people.

but their children may be, and it's important that they can attain democracy without the need for violent struggle. these matters are not important to sheep, but they are of concern to people. so, yes, discussion of a republic model is important. unless you're a sheep.