Why do we need a head of state? If an event is sufficiently important the PM can represent us. If it is not sufficiently important the PM can designate one of the feeders at the public trough to represent us.

As the waters run along the Amazon River, they sometimes filter over various limestone outcrops. Some of the water filters down through that limestone, deep into the earth. At about 2000 meters, having taken up to a century to get there, the waters end up in caverns and pools deep underground. Those pools haven't seen daylight for millions of years.

In those pools, small fish exist. Blind and colourless they've existed for millennia unseen by man or beast, evolving and surviving on the microbes that eat filtered chemicals.

Those fish have more interest in what Markle says than I do.

Why do we need a head of state?
davidf,
Indeed, why have hierarchies at all ? The new self-proclaimed elite that is Academia is one of them.

I watched Harry and Meghan.
I admired the way they were dealing with their adverse circumstances, right up until Meghan introduced 'racism' in to the conversation.
Come on now Meghan. You know as well as I do that someone being CURIOUS about skin tone is not racism.
It is far far from it. (I deliberately don't use the word 'colour', as 'dark' or 'black' are not colours.)
Had it been part of an exchange which included other clearly suggestive remarks, perhaps it would reinforce those.
But if you knew about other specific aspects, you would have said so?
By itself, it was clearly an innocuous remark?
That being so, there would be no need to hide who said it?

On reflection, I decided that Harry and Meghan were contriving to add 'value' to the interview.
Responses were crafted to embellish contentious issues, to generate maximum impact for viewers?
This appeared to be deliberate?
But hinting that a casual observation by 'someone' could be racist, was just plain wrong.
They should have known better?
It makes one question the veracity of their other statements.

And one more thought.
If we consider the character of each of those who could have made the remark, it is quite easy to settle on one particular person.
Just imagine that person saying it or questioning it?
And it becomes even more obvious when you recall Meghan's manner, and her very careful response, when asked who it was.
One could almost read her thoughts as she spoke.
Enough said.

Hi David, we have not communicated for some time.

The head of state is not a big deal, as to the how one comes into the position. Simply must be an Australian citizen, nominated by the government of the day in consultation with the opposition, and agreed to by a 2/3 majority of a joint sitting of parliament. The removal of the President or Grand Poobah, whatever name is chosen, should only require majority support of a no confidence motion in the low house of parliament. Other than officiating at regular events like welcoming the Emperor of Bongostan to our shores, or cutting the ribbon at the opening of the Little Johnny Howard Memorial Sewer, there's not much else for a non political, mostly ceremonial, Grand Poobah to do. The only thorny issue is what John Kerr was confronted with, a constitutional crises, and that's a problem regardless of how the head of state is chosen. I'm sure both sides of politics will always agree to an Ex-General Brassbottom or Ex-Admiral Bilgewater becoming Grand Poobah of the nation.

Anything is preferable to a Pommy dysfunctional from "The Firm".

"adverse circumstances" come off it Fatso, this mob of parasites are living high on the hog, complements of the public purse. They remind me of a pair of over indulged public school brats. But that's no reason for one of their own to call their kid a "coon" or some such similar reference.

p/s Ipso Fatso, welcome to the forum.

Paul1405,

How about this guy for our Head of State:

http://www.msn.com/en-au/entertainment/other/hang-their-heads-in-shame-prince-andrew-accuser-lashes-out-at-buckingham-palace-over-harry-and-megan-treatment/ar-BB1eqOwr

He's honest, loyal and trustworthy and held in high esteem by most of Australia's social elite.

And don't forget Barnaby Joyce. I think he's up to it as well.

I know what you're saying to yourself: "Stop it Mr Opinion. Stop it! There are just too many contenders to choose from that it is driving me insane figuring out who to make our Head of State."

Or how about Andrew Forrest? I loved the way he got his Chinese mate up on the podium in front of Greg Hunt to deliver a message from Xi. A war leader if I ever saw one.