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AN AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND REPUBLIC

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I see more good reasons for this to happen than for it not to happen.

In 1900 GDP per capita in NZ = 107% GDP per capita in Australia. In 2010, it was down to 63.4%

If New Zealand had joined the federation in 1901, it would have been the third most powerful State. Today, it would only be the fifth most powerful, as it continues to slide backwards.

New Zealand has a lot to gain economically by joining the federation.

New Zealand has a good army, a small navy and no air force. It no longer has the benefit of the ANZUS treaty since this was suspended by the US when NZ refused to allow US atomic warships to enter NZ ports.

It cannot defend itself in the event of major hostilities.

We are all cousins. We enjoy the same values, the same culture, the same way of life.

Our two countries are virtually amalgamated already. The last hurdle is purely political.

All the Australian States held a referendum in 1900 to join the federation. New Zealand did not. Its political leaders decided against it, for reasons that no longer exist, without giving the New Zealanders any choice whatsoever.

We are now into the 21st century. We have reached adulthood. It is time we stood on our own feet, all of us, together, and faced the world as one.

We have much more and much better to do than simply stare at our own navels, or at each other's, for that matter.

Of the 53 Commonwealth members, 31 are now republics. Her gracious majesty, the Queen, would not be at all offended if Australia & New Zealnd also declared a republic.

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<< New Zealand has a lot to gain economically by joining the federation. >>

Banjo Paterson, the economic reasons that you have listed all make sense for New Zealand. But the opposite is true for Australia, which would have to incur considerable economic costs in order to bring a new Kiwi state up to par with all other Auszealand states!

What’s in it for Australia?

Thinking about Australia's current "Head of State"

*Lizzie Winza*

I am reminded by recent news out of the land of poms regarding her request for a pay rise, and personally applaud the current pommie pm (despite him being a consevative) on his unequivocal refusal.

I note further that 1 particular chap has pushed his claim for *Lizzie* to open the books up for public scrutiny (excepting security related expenditure) all the way to their High Court.

In this regard though, and in recent times, changes were made to the "Freedom of Information" laws exempting *Lizzie et al* from scrutiny.

What a laugh!

A number of the comments coming out of the palace have been likened to those made by certain english mp's during the expenses scandal who also did not wish to be scrutinised.

It s reckoned that *Lizzie* spends about 70 million dollars per year including $100,000 per go train rides. The palace say in response to this that her status as a tourist draw card more than justifies this BUT oddly also that her unique constitutional position justifies her exemption from FOI.

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I wonder also how much wealth is bled out of this our nation on a monthly and yearly basis to end up in the coffers of other nations for industrious activities which we ought be doing ourselves?

And here again I note the view of some who did not think it worthwhile investing in the development of the skills base of our own Australian people.

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Finally, I note and hope that others become aware, that kiwis and poms enjoy favored status in numerous Australian statutes.

I hope that the prevailing will of this nation becomes one where people choose to grow into a more unique entity in our own right, building on the foundation of self reliance.

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Dear Ludwig,

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In the event of amalgamation, a more prosperous New Zealand would be an advantage to the new global economy of Australia & New Zealand. Together, we would both be greater and stronger.

Trinidad & Tobago and Eastern & Western Germany are good examples of this.

If a major war were to break out, we Australians would vave to come to the rescue of New Zealand anyway. It would be better and more efficient if we amalgamated our armed forces and organised them properly beforehand.

The new global nation, spanning the Tasman Sea and including both countries would have a lot going for it. This is a win/win situation.

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Dear DreamOn,

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"I hope that the prevailing will of this nation becomes one where people choose to grow into a more unique entity in our own right, building on the foundation of self reliance".

Australia & New Zealand are quite complementary. We would both gain by amalgamating and form, a bigger, stronger nation, far more capable of standing alone, with greater independence.

Though we would still need the protective, nuclear umbrella of the US until we could develop something equivalent ourselves.

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Dear all,

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Before deciding what sort of "head of State" we want, we need to decide what sort of State we want !

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We have an Australian Head of State in the Parliamentary appointed Quentin Bryce.

Philo
sorry old mate the Queen is our head of state the GG is just her rep' in oz and is offered for appointment alone by the PM to the Queen.