http://www.smh.com.au/news/nswbudget2008/popes-visit-will-cost-taxpayers-139m/2008/06/03/1212258826301.html

Lexi, according to this article, the final cost to the NSW Govt for
the popes visit was 86 million $, with another 20 million chipped
in by the Federal Govt. Yet you worry about a couple of million
for Charlie.

Dear Yabby,

Thank You for the link.
And I'd like to now quote to you -
from the link that you gave:

"The government maintains the economic
benefits of World Youth Day could exceed
$180 million..."

I hope this clarifies things for you.

I don't have a problem with any members of
the royal family - I wish them all the best.
They do an excellent job for Britain.

See you on another thread.

Dear Lexi,

It certainly does clarify things for me. If the Govt had to spend
100 million$ every time they wanted 180$ million of economic
activity, the country would frankly be bankrupt.

My neighbour alone would generate a couple of million $ of economic
activity for Australia, by way of wheat and lamb exports. All he
gets is a carbon tax and other charges, to make things even more
difficult.

We really don't need to pee in the pocket of the Catholic Church.
We already let them earn huge amounts in Australia, all tax free.
Unlike the rest of us Australians, who can't sell tickets to heaven
to make a quid.

With respect to Lexi, and it may be true we made more than it cost, I think no more of Catholic Church than Royalty.
We all have over looked Phil the Greek here been unwell, sure we wish him well.
There is a point, how long can it be,for him and Liz?
Will Charlie step up? or down?
He may let his recently wed son take over the three ring circus.
Folk will fall at the feet of the new cast and a whole new diversion/tourist attraction in place.
Republic please.

Belly,

I tend not to really care whether we remain as we are or become a republic, although I'm inclined to think that a republic is a likely eventuality, and I'd support a ceremonial President.

....but, noting your call for "Republic please", I'd just like to remind you that it's Presidential election year in the U.S.. If you want to see the ultimate three-ringed circus then look yonder in America's direction. You wont see hoopla, the likes of that from your average constitutional monarchy.

<< Republic please >>

Belly, why??

What would we gain out of it?

Would we get better governance?

Would we less strangled by the intimate association of big business and government?

Would it facilitate better planning for our future?

Nothing, no, no, and no, are the answers.

So what’s the point then?

Secondly, why couldn’t we have both a republic and a monarchy?

In other words; why couldn’t we have the sort of government that we’d have if we were a republic (whether we call ourselves a republic or not) AND retain the British monarch as our traditional head of state.