Friday 29th of March 2024

a hat trick...

a hat trick...

No matter how long he stays in office, Tony Abbott is likely to be Australia's last monarchist prime minister. Here's why, writes Tim Mayfield.

Sometimes, good policy is good politics, and that's why an Australian republic isn't as far away as some people might think.

While the cynics (including those documented by Mike Steketee) can fairly point out that Bill Shorten's renewed commitment to the republican cause coincides with the current scrutiny of his time as AWU National Secretary, the evidence is that the Opposition Leader is deadly serious about taking on this elusive reform.

And why wouldn't he be? The public's reaction to Tony Abbott's knighting of Prince Philip was a reminder of how deeply republican sentiment runs in this country when the right (or wrong!) notes are struck.

Shorten is readying himself to follow the example set by Australia's most ardently republican prime minister, Paul Keating, who demonstrated the importance of balancing the transactional with the transformational in politics.

read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-22/mayfield-an-australian-republic-is-closer-than-you-think/6562658

 

give the hats the boot...

The chair of the Australian Republican Movement used an energetic speech to the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday to push for a two-step process to achieve a republic, starting with a non-binding public vote within five years on the principle of having an Australian head of state followed by serious discussions about the model.

FitzSimons also announced the federal treasurer and Liberal MP Joe Hockey and the former Australian Capital Territory chief minister and Labor senator Katy Gallagher would be the co-convenors of a new parliamentary group for an Australian head of state.

ARM-commissioned polling – released to coincide with the speech – suggested 47% of respondents supported replacing the British monarch with an Australian head of state, while 29% opposed it and the remaining 24% were undecided.

But in a more decisive result, 57% supported the idea of holding a national vote by 2020 “on whether Australia should have an Australian as head of state”. The Essential Media Research polling was conducted between 19 and 24 August.

http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/aug/26/australian-republic-time-for-high-brow-worthiness-over-says-peter-fitzsimons

 

Actually the joke would be that the queen decides not to be queen of Orstralya any more and tells us to go away... 

 

our new flag...

new flag

Tony, as you wish to incorporate the original inhabitant of this nation in the constitution, they need to be in the flag... Here you go. 

tada queenie

With Malcolm back on the saddle, we can expect some republicanism mechanism before the next election. WE should expect the end of the Turdy's knighthood and damehood... Though Malcolm is not the panacea for best improvements, He is a bit better than Tony Abbott, which from this unfixed point in time I will cease to call Turdy. Bye Tony Abbott... You've done enough damage.

yobbos given gift...

 

London: Prince Harry came back from his 2015 Australian visits with two new stubby holders, a beach towel and a 'crocheted poppy', gifts from adoring royalists, a newly-released list of royal presents reveals.

Each year the royal family publishes a list of the gifts received in the UK and around the world.

The lists usually make for amusing reading, as well as a sneaking suspicion that the royals would have to be well-practiced at faking gratitude.

Last year, Prince Charles was inundated with presents for his grandchildren, the lists reveal, including a rattle, booties and a giant lollipop.

He also received a packet of fairy dust during his trip to New Zealand.

If the Queen had a 'pool room' then it's fairly certain that her marzipan Brandenburg Gate, a gift from German President Joachim Gauk, would have gone straight there. It possibly stands next to the bag of salt from the British Virgin Islands.

And she may even now have finally gotten around to reading a book entitled Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Welsh settlement in Argentina, a gift from that country's ambassador.

Prince Philip no-doubt treasures his miniature police helmet and diamond cufflinks.

Prince Harry received the poppy and two stubby holders (called 'stubby coolers' in the official list) from members of the public.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall returned with a much bigger haul from their November tour of Australia and New Zealand.

The Kiwis handed over the fairy dust, plenty of books and woolen blankets and clothing, Not to be outdone, Australia stumped up such treasures as a pair of secateurs, a baseball cap, 12 children's books (from the PM), a surprising amount of handkerchiefs and a pink singlet (from the president of the Albany Agricultural Society).

According to official rules, gifts are not considered the personal property of the royal family, and they are not allowed to sell or exchange them.

People and organisations are advised in advance that extravagant gifts are inappropriate.

But the royals are allowed to eat gifts, if perishable, and gifts worth less than £150 ($310) can be given to staff or to charity.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity/royal-presents-revealed-prince-harry-received-stubby-holders-from-australia-20160113-gm5e8l.html#ixzz3xA4TJkky 
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