Your country is the victim of some of our nation creating jingoism - it's natural, get over it [/QUOTE]

I'm very much over it, when its reversed however and certainly with the historical myths the teddy is thrown, the dummy is spat, (with a minority of aussies I've encountered not all) its a case of dish it cant take it

You're the big country that gave birth to the little one - that's how it is supposed to work so stop grumbling if you're over it

Should've have said that in fact I was never on it!!

Do the civil servants in Australia have to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen? I don't think so as it is voluntary even in the UK itself nowadays.

Do the Australian MP's have to swear that oath? In the UK they do and therefore when Sinn Fein wins parliamentary seats, they can't take those seats as they possibly can't swear such an oath.

"One day.... but not while the oldies and conservative baby boomers of predominantly Anglo background dominate politics and media, who seem to feel threatened by the world, have ther way....."

Well I suppose it was a gross generalisation but it was implying that media in Australia which infuences most, is pretty much baby boomers and older of Anglo/Irish background, and to be fair, a significant proportion would be pro republic.

Another related article from Australian Punch, with many comments attached:

The republic debate is about more than just the royals. On April 29 this year, Prince William will marry Kate Middleton. In October, the Queen will visit Perth for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.

As the person responsible for media at the Australian Republican Movement (ARM), I predict that these will be my two busiest times of the year. Whenever anyone mentions royalty in an Australian context, the media then thinks “republic” and more often than not gives me a call.

This is as it should be, since the media knows that the majority of Australians want Australia to be a republic now or at the end of the Queen’s reign - at least 60 per cent, according to most polls. On the other hand, it means that the ARM sometimes spends more time talking about royal personalities and personages rather than the things that really matter to us - why an Australian Republic is so important to Australia. The fact is, we have nothing against the personalities - it is the institution that is the problem.

So, before the royal circus hits town, it’s a good time to look at why Australia should become a republic...... continues....

Such a shame if it is dead and buried!

Pity you resurrected the thread cos that was nicely dead and buried too.

It's looking further away since Kate and Wills got married.

Bloody weak minded sheep. May as well get prostate and let them use you as a rug when they come to visit.

I was living in Australia when Keating became PM and very unpleasant it was, too, being British or of British descent. What is still very concerning is the poor knowledge of history by Australians, same goes for the Australian Constitution. We appear to have a media that just laps up whatever the Government spins out, with little in-depth understanding or independent research into a wide range of issues. Just as many people couldn't take the idea of Keating or one of his ALP mates as unelected President, how many would want Gillard or Rudd in that role? You can get an idea about the ALP's approach from Quentin Bryce being the GG.