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.
Read the full story here.
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.
Read the full story here.
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.
Read the full story here.
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."
MEDIA RELEASE
10 years on, 59% want republic
06 November 2009
On the 6th of November 1999 the world was a far different place.
Currently, only Victorians have the Melbourne Cup Day holiday.
The Australian Republican Movement's David Donovan said he would back the change if it had enough support.
"We don't think the Queen's birthday is an appropriate holiday," he said.
"We really think it should be removed and given the Melbourne Cup Day is probably a festival for Australia and touches the heart of many Australians then it is probably a move we would support."
David Marr writes in the Sydney Morning Herald: "Since the defeat of the referendum 10 years ago next week, republicans have been living in a state of postponement. The political establishment has never been more republican, yet never more wedded to delay."
Read the full story here.
Mike Steketee in the Australian laments the lack of policial leadership on the issue of the republic, 10 years after the referendum.
Read the article here.
The Melbourne Festival asked people to rise for 'God Save the Queen' before a performance by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Find out why by reading the full story here.
