Hi Lexi,

I’ve already given my opinion at the last referendum. I also think that Australia faces some very serious problems, we are into an election and the last thing we need right now are distractions away from the disasters inflicted on all Australian’s by six years of failed governance.

Some other time perhaps?

Does Australia need to kick-start Republican Debate?

Of course it does. it's the best red herring to divert attention of the bogans away from the real issues.
Go for it. It will take your minds off AGW,Peak oil and overpopulation.
Throw in a debate about drugs in sport and why we lost the ashes, at the same time.

belly; become a banana republic? We are one already only needing the republic bit

belly; become a banana republic? We are one already only needing the republic bitRobert LePage,
yes & the ALP Government's even threw in the bend !

spindoc and Robert LP have it in one. There are so many more troublesome things that have to be dealt with. The republican debate is just a distraction from issues that really matter. Leave it for another time when the country has sorted the more vital issues out.

Yes Questa. More vital issues like the merits of Gillard’s ‘sustainable Australia’ versus Rudd’s ‘big Australia’.

Thanks everyone for your contributions.
They are appreciated - and this was exactly
the type of discussion that I was hoping for.
All of you raising valid points and giving us
food for thought.

I came across an interesting site on the web:

http://www.ouridentity.org.au/what-is-a-republic

Quoting bits and pieces from the site:

"In the 1990s most Australians wanted to make the move
to a Republic but were divided on how to select the
Head of State and a Referendum in 1999 only gave
Australians one choice - which was narrowly defeated."

The site suggests that, "To resolve this we propose
that all Australians must be given the right to choose
from a range of selection methods generated through
community discussion..."

Some people may be concerned about losing links with
Britain. As the site stresses, "The strong cultural
links to Britain would remain, but with both countries
as friends and equals."

"We have our own national identity, values, and character.
Australia is our home and it is our responsibility to take
the future in our hands - as Australians. Times have
changed and so have we. Our place in the world is here, and
we are proud of who we have become - Australian."

"A Republic is for all of us, all Australians. It's about
Australia belonging to all of us. It's just common sense -
and its also our great patriotic mission. Shouldn't
whoever represents Australia be chosen by Australians?
Be accountable to us, subject to our laws and be one of us?
Shouldn't the matter of our nationhood be our decision, our
choice?"

It's all something to seriously think about. I completely
understand those that have the attitude that, "If it
ain't broke why fix it." Change is always hard to accept,
at first. However every human advance is based on
experiment, innovation and adventure.