Dear Foxy,

«There can be no doubt that our head of state is a British woman»

Heaven forbid - a woman?*!@*?

Well, if you have anything against women, then I rather select a cute British rabbit (a female bunny if you have no objection) - they are beautiful and clean animals who never say a bad word or issue any tyranic orders (at worst, if they really get upset they stomp their back foot).

But, if you are to insist on an Australian head of state, then how about a wombat, say a male wombat - they are said to live up to 27 years and undeniably pose as figures of authority!

Let's focus on ridding ourselves of the disruptive & anti-social minority groups first.

here is the flaw;
"This will give all Australian voters a merit-based choice about who speaks for them as head of state,"
Not really, elect a President and you elect a politician.
Then automatically you have generated another power centre.
Then the old refrain, "I told the army I am taking over in the circumstances as a representative of the people."

Yuyutsu and Bazz,

Here's nine things you should know about a
potential republic:

http://theconversation.com/nine-things-you-should-know-about-a-potential-australian-republic-89759

And here's some frequently asked questions:

http://republic.org.au/faq

Dear Foxy,

«Yuyutsu and Bazz, Here's nine things you should know about a potential republic:»

OK, but what made you think that I am interested in one?

Nevertheless, I had a look and especially liked the following question:

"8. How would we prevent a president from acting contrary to the conventions?"

- by appointing to the roll some nice fury animal who cannot speak and has no interest whatsoever in breaking conventions!
(that should also be much cheaper!)

Then you added: «And here's some frequently asked questions:», the first being:

"+ Why should Australia become a republic?

Australia’s ‘Head of State’ is responsible for representing Australia at home and abroad and for safeguarding Australia’s constitutional order."

OK, but since I am not interested in any of these functions, that idea has no appeal to me.