Not a keen replican but why.
- I like that there is a legal point of last resort that is largely out of the hands of local politics.
- The ongoing existance of the monarchy would seem to depend on those powers they do hold being used rarely and with great caution.
- I've not seen anything to suggest that a local head of state would not degenerate into either yet another party political reward for services rendered to the party or a popularity contest. Perhaps we could have a reality TV series to elect a head of State voting celebrities on or off the show.

Overall what we've got is not perfect but the proposed changes I've seen don't seem to offer any real adavantage and may weaken a protection we have at the moment.

R0bert

Does Australia need to kick-start the Republican Debate?

No Lexi.

We need something much more important than that. A sustainability debate.

Unfortunately, the two are completely unrelated. Which means that a republican debate, or the conversion to a republic, would be pretty damn meaningless in the greater scheme of things!

Especially given that the number 1 republican – one Malcolm Bligh Turnbull, has come out strongly in favour of continued large-scale expansionism and hence antisustainsbility!

Lexi,
You asked a question and I answered it. We had a referendum a few years back and decided then. There are far more important things to debate at this time. Like how do we pay back the debt this current government has racked up? How could a projected deficit go from $18 billion to $30 billion in less than 3 months? These are just two examples of matters far more important than the question of a republic. Then there is the stupidity of the present PM welcoming the illegal boat people, and Labor has the hide to seek another term!

As I said before, you raise the question simply to divert debate away from the incompedence of the present government.

I fully intend to post a thread on the 50 plus stuff ups (and More) of the present government.

I have no problems with threads like this one at a time when I am heartily sick of the Labor versus Liberal crapola usually dished up lately!

I am in favour of a Republic.
Surely we don't continue to need a representative of a foreign 'royal' family, who do diddly squat for Australia, having possibly the last say on some of our political issues ?

As for the British royal family, I have no love for them.
They are a rich bunch of figureheads who are no longer relevant to us 'colonies', thank goodness.
Australia needs to grow up and part ways with all that historical rubbish.

Lexi please forgive me.
I warned the subject brings humor with it.
We see the evidence and it always leaves me rolling on the floor laughing!
People from both sides of politics both want a Republic, and do now want one.
Some will claim it is not patriotic to be a Republican.
Watch for those who claim we would fall apart, become a Banana Republic, they will hold their breath and stamp their feet if you ask why America is not so?
Hiding the fact our flag has changed, ignoring that the boxing Kangaroo.
Is flying along side the southern cross in many homes.
A future Australia WILL become a Republic, it will Review our anthem, and in doing so know, very few of us could tell what its words are past the sons bit.
We are a cosmopolitan country.
Even saying that will see me insulted but we are a country of many races, many are not linked to England.
Why even Scotland is talking of self government.
The first flush of rage, directed by Banjo, at Labor, is to stop debate.
It ignores Turnbull and his roll in wanting change.
The day after we change, become proud of being ourselves we will not become anti Brit, their are forever our cousin never again our rulers.
We will not see a change in us, we are forever us, but fears and bitter knee bending to a little Island so far away will in time end.

I am for a Republic
Lexi,
I would guess most Australians would but the dilemma is who would be the Republicans ? It's obvious that the ALP crowd is foremost in promoting a Republic, so why change when the same incompetents would be in control again ? I think we could achieve being a Republic but we'd need to establish a Republican party first otherwise it will simply continue the pointless battle of liberals vs Labor.