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Thursday May 24, 2012

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Your say on The Queen's visit

Posted by: 3AW Radio | 19 October, 2011 - 8:51 AM
The Queen's visit - are you excited or not?

TOM ELLIOTT: Australia's head of state, also known as Her Majesty The Queen, arrives in Canberra on Wednesday to kick off the latest royal tour.

It's impossible when the Queen visits here not to revisit the Monarchist v Republican debate as it applies to our system of government.

In 1999 the Republicans lost a referendum on this issue because while their leaders, people such as Malcolm Turnbull, argued for an Australian President to be appointed by Parliament, a majority of voters preferred a direct say in the election of this important position.

Since 1999, not much has changed in this debate.

The Queen is, of course, getting older, and thus her replacement by the unloved Prince Charles is beginning to loom.

The Republicans amongst us continue to argue that Australia can only truly 'come of age' if it selects its own head of state. And if this is to happen, I think a majority of people would prefer the direct election model.

Frankly, I think we should forget Republicanism while so many other more important issues – such as tax reform, climate change, the NBN and financial stability – remain to be solved.

Although the political system we have is a relic of British colonialism, it continues to serve us well. And unlike many countries, in the Queen we have a head of state who is respectful, bothers us rarely if at all, never tells us what to do and, should we ever decide it, is happy to go if we so much as ask! Sounds like a pretty good system if you ask me.

NEIL MITCHELL PROGRAM: Her Royal Majesty, The Queen, arrives in Australia tonight ahead of a short tour.

Neil Mitchell says The Queen is very much respected in this country and has rebuilt the Monarchy in England.

But Mitchell says the government should release details of how much the visit is costing the tax-payer as Australia heads towards inevitably becoming a republic.

Her Majesty will arrive in Canberra at around 6pm and her tour will include short visits to Brisbane and Melbourne.

In what could be The Queen's last visit to this country, are you excited or otherwise?

PLAY: Neil Mitchell has his say on The Queen

3AW Mornings with Neil Mitchell

Neil Mitchell Neil is one of Australia’s most experienced journalists with success in newspapers, radio and television. He was one of the youngest editors of a daily metropolitan newspaper, The Herald. Enter Neil's highlights page for videos. replays and news.

Blog comments Your Say

  • please refer to my previous posts on my stance regarding *The Queen*...Im looking at you Steve

    citygirl Friday 4 November, 2011 - 6:07 PM

  • Just ignore them. Greet her politely if you bump into her. They are an anachronism.

    ben Monday 24 October, 2011 - 7:08 AM

  • Nobody needs to inform QE2 what happens to royalty in the event of revolution. The history is a clear and resolute as the will of the people through these events. QE2 is perhaps as much aware of the history as any other person. When royals and other leaders remain too obstinate and too removed from the needs and desires of their people for too long the result is ALWAYS the same. If we continue on our current path only the most foolish and/or naive amongst us would suggest the possibility of revolution is not inevitable. Governments all over the world are currently preparing for such an eventuation. So perhaps it is the height of foolishness and arrogance to ignore this and continue without change. If the next revolution is not prevented it will dwarf the combination of all previous revolutions in its savagery and damage. The magnitude of revolutions is always proportional to the extent of hardship, the duration of hardship and the elapsed time from the last revolution. These factors are further proportional to the extent of public knowledge. It has been a long time since the last and the extent of hardship is currently more widespread than it has ever been. The knowledge of injustice is now readily available to the vast majority of the world population. I do not believe the powers that be can imagine how far and wide this will go. The most likely scenario is that when this fuse is lit the parties who enjoy ultimate power will turn of one another but unfortunately it will be too late. Even if they donâ??t it is illogical to presume they can maintain the status Make the call now before it is too late. Hand us the Rothschilds.

    Time Waits For No Man Saturday 22 October, 2011 - 1:26 PM

  • Why are people fascinated by the Royal Family they live off tax payer money Dole Bludgers at its best

    col Friday 21 October, 2011 - 3:21 PM

  • I think the Royals are a great waste of time and money, all of which could be used for better things. Who cares about an outdated, old, corrupt English queen? apart from the poms no one really cares! the entire Royal family are self serving, greedy, good for nothing leaches, they come to our country at our expense and act like they are doing us a great favor! go home and never come back, we will be a republic next time.

    Grace Friday 21 October, 2011 - 10:29 AM

  • As someone on radio quite rightly said last night, shouldn't Julia Gillard be trying to make our guest (the Queen)feel comfortable and not thinking about making herself feel comfortable.

    Chris Friday 21 October, 2011 - 8:48 AM

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