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Wednesday May 22, 2013

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Why we should remain part of the Monarchy

Posted by: Tom Elliott | 25 January, 2013 - 4:09 PM
Tom Elliott: Every Australia Day the call to revisit the failed republic referendum appears. <i>(Photo: Rob Griffith/AP)</i>

Treasurer Wayne Swan has today argued that the 80th anniversary of the infamous Bodyline test series means Australia should reconsider becoming a republic.

In my view, this is nonsense.

During Bodyline, a majority of Australians considered themselves British. In fact , in September 1939 when Robert Menzies learned that Britain has declared war on Germany for invading Poland, he declared that “Britain is now at war; therefore so are we.”

Every Australia Day this call appears to revisit the failed referendum of 1999.

Some of the arguments advanced by Republicans include:

We’re somehow confused about our national identity – Tell that to millions of flag waving young people tomorrow;

The Queen is not Australian - In fact, when she’s in Australia, she is indeed an Australian. She’s more than capable of acting as the Sovereign for a number of nations;

Life here would be somehow improved if we gained a President – Has anyone ever explained how increasing the number of pollies would lift the lot of the average Australian?

I'm in favour of leaving our system as it is. It works well, which is not something that can be said of all countries.

Our important cultural, political and legal institutions are still British – let’s not be afraid to recognise this.

And there’s an old saying: “Don’t fix it if ain’t broke.” Common sense if you ask me.

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Blog comments Your Say

  • would be nice to see our own flag but we live in the 1950's

    col Tuesday 29 January, 2013 - 11:39 AM

  • Australia is great, why risk changing it? Swan appears to be a retard in my opinion, look at the mess he has made since taking control.

    Dr Ablett Monday 28 January, 2013 - 5:23 PM

  • Dear fellow Aussies - it goes really without having to say that anything this Wayne Swan boofhead says should be completely and utterly disregarded. The joker is an abject failure, a political has been, has stuffed up this Nation's finance a motza, is a proven liar and indeed a self aggrandising fool. WE DON'T WANT NOR DO WE NEED A DAMNED REPUBLIC IN AUSTRALIA. OUR CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY HAS SERVED US EXTREMELY WELL. THE DAMNED LABOR PARTY HAS FAILED US - SO WHY GIVE THEM MORE POWER - ONLY FOR THEM TO CONVERT US ALL TO A COMMUNIST REGIME.

    Sandra M Sunday 27 January, 2013 - 8:34 PM

  • Dear fellow Aussies - it goes really without having to say that anything this Wayne Swan boofhead says should be completely and utterly disregarded. The joker is an abject failure, a political has been, has stuffed up this Nation's finance a motza, is a proven liar and indeed a self aggrandising fool. WE DON'T WANT NOR DO WE NEED A DAMNED REPUBLIC IN AUSTRALIA. OUR CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY HAS SERVED US EXTREMELY WELL. THE DAMNED LABOR PARTY HAS FAILED US - SO WHY GIVE THEM MORE POWER - ONLY FOR THEM TO CONVERT US ALL TO A COMMUNIST REGIME.

    Sandra M Sunday 27 January, 2013 - 8:33 PM

  • I would like to get this Wayne Swan joker, the utterly hopeless, damned useless, incompetent knucklehead, turn him upside down and run his long weak arm right up his backside. I am sick to damned death of this useless damned deceitful bastard.

    Justin J Saturday 26 January, 2013 - 10:33 PM

  • Agree with andrea Wayne swan can go jump good riddance to them all another ghastly mistake

    Denise Saturday 26 January, 2013 - 9:24 PM

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