Paul1405, a quick follow up. It was mentioned that labor was in power at some point during WWII, with the implication that labor could not have done these atrocities.

You cannot be that naive. What a perfect scenario to attack from within so people like you would think it not possible.

Well it was possible and it really happened. Surely someone in your family is old enough to remember the strikes and actions of the unions on our supply ships during the war.

If you or you family lost any friends or loved ones during WWII I can only hope it had nothing to do with sabotaging the supply ships and the actions of the unions.

ALTRAV, I clearly see your political bent, that of a far right ideologue, who sees reds under every bed, creating you own loose interpretation of history based on your clouded opinions. Credit is due to the Labor Party for the leadership it provided Australia during WWII. You tried to admonish me on the subject saying I was treating the matter with levity and indifference, when I did no such thing. In your weakness you then went on the personal attack with rubbish comment "Where the hell were you" nonsense, a poor line of argument indeed. You have no evidence of what you claim, other than your own mindless gross distortions. If you have anything better, please put it up

So, in today's day and age, what is it that defines this enemy that some in Australian society seem to be preoccupied with?
Someone who doesn't agree with you?
Someone who doesn't share your philosophy?
Someone who doesn't share your religious beliefs?
Someone who doesn't share your cultural norms?....
or is it someone who wants to place the masses into a subservient position so as to do their bidding, like going off to wars of opportunity whist claiming security concerns?
deny natural justice so as to hide incompetence?
complain about hard working individuals whilst claiming the non existent moral high ground?

A republic, I think not !
The parties leadership wants an elected president. I wonder why ?
President Malcom, President Bill, President Kevin, President Julia anyone ?
If you elect a president you get a politician.
If you elect a politician as president you get a new power centre.

A new power centre can lead to power creep and finally dictatorship.
It is bad enough now why let it get a whole lot worse ?

P1405, it's not my political bent wer'e talking about, it's your's. You refuse to admit what you clearly know as the truth, if you really were a member of the labor party and therefore the unions/communists.

What I describe is from people alive at the time and clearly suffered because of the treason unleashed by your lot. You can deny it all you like because you have no basis to refute these facts.

BTW if your unions are such wonderful things where are all the jobs that have gone offshore because you and your lot squeezed the life and viability out of the Australian worker by forcing wages beyond reason.

The greed and averace of the unions and unionists, backed by labor, have caused this current exodus of businesses.

Don't you think these businessmen would rather be still in business here in Australia? Instead of some foreign, sometimes hostile country.

No ultimately the hammer falls squarely on you and your union/labor loving mates heads.

You may be retired by now, but that's OK because you obviously did not have a thought for your children or the next generation. The mantra of your lot at the time was, 'f@rk you Jack, as long as I'm OK'.

The actions of those I speak of say a lot more than the obvious. I hope you enjoy your retirement.

I also hope you sometimes reflect on the absolute disaster that the labor/union/communist movement did to this country and it's future generations.

Our children thank you. FOR NOTHING!

The question must be answered by more than a one-shot referendum.

First referendum question is "Do you wish to replace the English monarch with an Australian citizen as Australian Head of State?" YES/NO

If the answer is YES then there are all sorts of supplementary questions. What process should govern the appointment of a Head of State? Should it be by Parliament or by election? What powers if any should the Head of State have? What should be the Head of State's length of tenure?

Certainly we'd be idiots to give a Head of State the sort of powers that were so abused by Governor-General Sir John Kerr in cahoots with the Palace freeloaders in 1975. As long as the powers are no more than symbolic there is no serious risk of abuse.

One important proviso: The Head of State's correspondence in that role should be accessible by any Australian who sought it. Not locked away from scrutiny for half a century by an embargo enforced by governments of both Tweedledum and Tweedledee parties as at present.