"THERE is a saying about putting the cart before the horse, and it is particularly apt when one thinks about Julia Gillard's recent remarks about an Australian republic, writes Greg Barns in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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John Warhurst writes that
"In November 1999 the referendum to change the Australian Constitution from a monarchy into a republic was lost by a margin of 55% to 45%. Eleven years have now passed. There has been no constitutional referendum on any subject at all since then.
A number of Queen's birthday honours recipients have come out in support of an Australian republic after being presented with their award, including 2010 Australian of the Year Patrick McGorry.
Prof McGorry said the present and future of Australia was not linked to the British Empire, but "an independent country that is mature enough to have its own head of state".
"What I don't understand is why politicians always say: `Well yes, it's an important issue but we're not ready for it yet, there are other important issues'," he told AAP.
THE Coalition has begun talks with the Australian Republican Movement about potential changes to Australia's constitution, despite Tony Abbott, a staunch monarchist, being at its helm.
Frontbencher Joe Hockey has led the negotiations. He has taken over from Malcolm Turnbull as the torchbearer for republican sentiment inside the Liberal Party.
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The $130-a-head, sold-out event was attended by more than 200 people, including the Hawke government education minister Susan Ryan, the federal Labor MP Bob Debus, and the former president of the NSW Legislative Assembly, Meredith Bergmann.
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GOD Save the Queen has been dumped from Melbourne's Anzac Day dawn service because it's no longer relevant.
The English national anthem has always been included in the dawn service.
Victoria's RSL chief Maj-Gen David McLachlan said the organising committee agreed that it was no longer relevant to the younger dawn service audience.
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In a blow to those monarchists who have tried to claim the Governor General is Australia's head of state, the Queen has reasserted her claim on the title "head of state" of Australia by using it in the announcement of her address to the UN in July.
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SOME who turned out for Prince William in Sydney and Melbourne this week thought they saw Lady Di's eyes. Others picked his mother's smile or her heart.
All very interesting. But don't imagine it has anything much to do with Australia's future. Even if William revives interest in the monarchy - and despite the hype the Australian crowds were modest - we have a while to wait until that translates into King William, Australia's head of state.
Noel Pearson reflects much of what is in the ARM policy. As he says: "I hope for the day when an Australian Republic affirms that our country is built upon two foundation stones: the indigenous heritage, and the British heritage. An Australian Republic affirming our British heritage and the great migration success story that followed, would recognise that which was long denied: this continent was possessed of an ancient civilisation and still is."
