Dame Quentin Bryce is honourable

When Tony Abbott re-established Knights and Dames in the Order of Australia, outgoing Governor-General Quentin Bryce was the first to accept the new title. Dame Quentin Bryce, self-confessed advocate of "a" republic, received another honour due to former Prime Minister Julia Gillard. She had written to the Queen of Australia to correct the anomaly that government ministers and judges automatically received the title The Honourable for life, but governors-general did not. Her Majesty agreed to her Australian Prime Minister's suggestion and has now corrected it.

The retired Governor-General's will further on be addressed as The Honourable Dame Quentin - for life.

A staunch Monarchist as the new Prime Minister of Australia

Tony Abbott’s Liberal Party and his allies of the National Party (in Australia they are known as “the coalition”) won at least 89 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives on the back of a 3.6 per cent national swing against the ALP in Saturday's federal election. Her Majesty’s representative in Australia, Governor-General Quentin Bryce will swear him in as the 28th Prime Minister of Australia and he will declare:

"I, Anthony John Abbott, do swear that I will well and truly serve the Commonwealth of Australia, her land and her people, in the office of the Prime Minister, so help me God."

Taking the office of Prime Minister (Executive Councillor) involves swearing an Oath of Allegiance or Affirmation. However, under Section 62 of the Constitution the form of the oath of office is not prescribed for a minister but by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The Oath should not be confused with the Oath of Allegiance or Affirmation under Section 42 of the Constitution required to be made by a Member of Parliament or Senator before taking his or her seat. This involves swearing or affirming to "be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Her heirs and successors according to law". This Oath was also used for ministers until the Keating Labor government removed reference to the Sovereign. However, with the election of the Howard Liberal government in 1996 the Oath to the Queen was restored but without any reference to "Her heirs and successors".

H.M. Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, and Tony Abbott, then Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Australian Opposition.

With Tony Abbott an ardent Monarchist has returned to the office. His immediate predecessors Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd were self-declared republicans.

Julia Gillard: "I obviously am a Republican. I believe that this nation should be a republic. I also believe that this nation has got a deep affection for Queen Elizabeth."

While Kevin Rudd described himself as a "lifelong republican" - "and I won't change" - he said a republic was not a "first order concern" for Australian families right now.

A dedicated monarchist, Tony Abbott predicted in April 2010 that a republic was ''generations'' away.
''The Liberal Party doesn't have a formal position on a republic,'' he said. If a proposal were to come forward, Liberals would have a free vote in Parliament and in any referendum. He could not imagine the circumstances in which he would support change, saying the various models would add uncertainty to Australia's constitutional arrangements. Looking back to Howard government mistakes, Mr Abbott said it should have ratified the Kyoto protocol on climate change and apologised to indigenous people. He said the Rudd government's apology was overdue and gracious and the whole country had felt buoyed by it.

Later that same year, in August 2010, Tony Abbott was quoted by The Age that he believed that Australia probably won't become a republic in his lifetime while Julia Gillard claimed the appropriate time to move from the monarchy would be after the Queen died. Asked whether he thought there would ever be a republic, the Opposition Leader said the republican cause had been with us for a long time, "but the Australian people have demonstrated themselves to be remarkably attached to institutions that work. I think that our existing constitutional arrangements have worked well in the past. I see no reason whatsoever why they can't continue to work well in the future. So while there may very well be further episodes of republicanism in this country, I am far from certain that at least in our lifetimes there is likely to be any significant change."

When the party caucus elected Tony Abbott leader of the opposition he beat Malcolm Turnbull, former head of the Australian Republican Movement. The Sydney Morning Herald described him as Still a monarchist to his bootstraps:

THE chances of Australia becoming a republic any time soon have nosedived with Tony Abbott becoming the Leader of the Opposition.

Mr Abbott's predecessor, Malcolm Turnbull, the former chairman of the Australian Republican Movement, believed the republic could only be revisited when the Queen's reign ended.

This view is shared by the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd.

It is also accepted wisdom that for a referendum to succeed, it needs the bipartisan support of the Government and Opposition.

But in an interview with the Herald yesterday, Mr Abbott made it plain that he would never contemplate a republic, even after the Queen had left the throne.

''That was Malcolm's position and I have no plans to revisit it, full stop,'' he said.

''I support the monarchy, always have, always will, not because I'm a royal groupie,'' he said. ''It's a terrific system of government and I challenge anyone to come up with a better one.''

Mr Abbott and Senator Nick Minchin, who engineered the dumping of Mr Turnbull this week, were lead players in the monarchist campaign which defeated Mr Turnbull and the republic referendum in 1999.

In his office yesterday, Mr Abbott had a portrait of her majesty and a framed photograph of John Howard introducing him to her when they were in government.

Mr Abbott said that the ''10-second handshake'' was the only time he had met the Queen.

PHILLIP COOREY December 3, 2009

In 2006 Tony Abbott wrote the introduction to David Flint's book, Her Majesty at 80. The Age re-printed Monarchy is the tie that binds us together on 29th November 2006. 

Tony Abbott was the Executive Director of the Australians for Constitutional Monarchy from 1992 to 1994 until we was elected to the federal parliament in March 1994. In 1995 he published his book The Minimal Monarchy and why it still makes sense for Australia.

Tony Abbott's 1995 book: The Minimal Monarchy and why it still makes sense for Australia.

 In his book’s personal prologue he summoned his convictions quite clearly:

I had studied law, politics and history. I was an instinctive believer in Tradition. If someone with my view was not prepared to defend the Crown in Australia, who was? How could I leave others to fight for my believes and keep my self-respect? Even if it was a lost cause, it was surely a good cause, I reasoned, and something which has been a core Australian institution for 200 years should not be sacrificed without a fight.

The world rejoices at news of Royal baby

The news that TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting a baby was big news throughout the Commonwealth.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the news "is going to bring joy to many around the world" and wished the Duchess a swift recovery from the morning sickness that triggered official confirmation of the royal pregnancy.

"Clearly it is a time of joy and it can also be a time of challenge," Ms Gillard told reporters. "I'm sure many will be thinking of Kate when she deals with morning sickness and is in hospital. But from the Australian people to Prince William and Kate, delightful news and our congratulations."

The Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Australian Opposition, Tony Abbott tweeted: "A royal baby is on the way! Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge."

New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key said the news was "fabulous" for the young couple and would make the Queen of New Zealand and Prince Philip extremely pleased. "It is an important day in any young couple's life when a baby is expected and I know that Catherine and William will be as nervous and excited as anyone," he said in a statement.

"We wish them both the very best and hope Catherine's stay in hospital is a short one. On behalf of the people of New Zealand, I congratulate them both."

Meanwhile Australian republicans found back to their usual hatred and used The Age to call for the return of a mass murderer:

LET the bowing, boot licking and forelock tugging begin. Proud, independent nation - don't make me laugh. Bring back Cromwell.

Richard Morris, Frankston South

On the other hand Murdoch's Melbourne tabloid newspaper Herald Sun admitted:

Republican sentiment in Australia waned after the referendum in 1999 that saw Australians decide to retain the monarchy.

The popularity of the monarchy is likely to continue with Prince William to succeed Prince Charles.

A son or daughter to Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge will take the monarchy safely towards the end of this century, although not necessarily in Australia.

Australian Monarchists will make sure that the last half sentence will remain Murdoch's wishful thinking.

Prince Charles left Australia with "great sadness"

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall’s visit to Australia for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee has come to an end in Canberra on 10th November 2012.

Their Royal Highnesses have experienced everything from an Aussie barbie with outback cattlemen to the excitement of the Melbourne Cup during their six-day trip to the nation.

The royal couple ended their Diamond Jubilee visit in the capital Canberra where they renamed a section of road close to the striking Parliament House - Queen Elizabeth Terrace.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard welcomed The Prince and Duchess when they arrived at the thoroughfare which was lined with crowds and she paid tribute to The Queen's devotion to duty:

Your Royal Highnesses, I bid you a special welcome to our country and our capital.

To The Prince of Wales, you are a familiar visitor to these shores.

In you, the people of Australia know they have a true and sympathetic friend.

To The Duchess of Cornwall, I hope you have discovered the warmth of the Australian character and a land you will always feel welcome.

Since landing at Longreach on Monday, these have been days to explore and revisit the facets of our landscape and culture:

From the Outback, to the vineyards of South Australia, and the race that stops nation.

Now, we gather here in this capital to reflect on the bonds of history and affinity which made Australia the nation it is today.

The Father of Federation, Sir Henry Parkes, called it the “crimson thread of kinship” and the associations are all around us.

Not far from here is found the writing table Queen Victoria used to sign into law the Constitution that led to the creation of this capital.

Up on Capital Hill meets the Federal Parliament first inaugurated by King George V as Duke of Cornwall and York in 1901.

A quarter of a century later, another Duke of York came to open these old Parliament buildings – a shy prince who came to show the ‘heart and stomach of a king’.

Like Your Royal Highness, he too was accompanied by a gracious Duchess. Your beloved grandmother.

It is a story also inscribed in the streets and parks of this beautiful zone where, one by one, the East-West terraces have been named in recognition of our monarchs since Federation: Queen Victoria Terrace, King Edward Terrace, King George Terrace.

Today, the symmetry is made complete with the naming of Queen Elizabeth Terrace.

At the same time, the green space in front of Old Parliament House and two roads either side will stand in honour of Sir Henry Parkes reflecting the mix of ancient tradition and contemporary democracy that underpin our constitutional order.

This place will be a lasting tribute to Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee inscribed forever in the architecture of this capital.

It will remind future generations that for more than half of our journey as a united nation, Elizabeth the Second has been our monarch.

No-one in the history of our Federation has shared more consistently in the affairs of our Commonwealth or followed them with deeper interest and goodwill.

As Canberra prepares for its centenary, it is fitting that The Queen’s life of duty is given recognition here in our nation’s heart and her wisdom and dignity are honoured among the people she has so faithfully served.

I thank Your Royal Highnesses for sharing this commemoration with us.

And I know you will convey to Her Majesty the sentiments we share in naming this place today.

No Head of State could be more worthy of this honour, and no nation could more freely or gratefully bestow it.

The royal couple went on a brief walkabout in the newly-named terrace, meeting people who had been waiting patiently.

Sisters-in-law Crystal and Leanne Tunningley, 33, were ecstatic after meeting The Duchess. Crystal, 28, from Canberra, said: "Camilla was saying she loved being in Canberra and it was so sad that she had to go."

Later The Prince and Duchess held a private meeting with the Queen's representative in Australia, Governor General Quentin Bryce and her husband Michael.

The Prince then held a series of talks in the imposing Government House, first with Ms Gillard, and then the leader of the opposition Tony Abbott, who said "it was a real thrill" to meet the prince.

In the grounds of the historic building a Diamond Jubilee buffet lunch, among the guests were leading politicians, including former prime minister John Howard, broadcasters, business leaders, sports personalities and arts figures. Mrs Bryce said after her accession to the throne in 1952, The Queen showed remarkable qualities.

She said: "In the six decades since across times of extraordinary and constant change a symbol steadfast - dignity, strength, a source of courage and inspiration to so many people."

In a short speech The Prince praised the volunteering efforts of many Australians - something that reflected the theme of the Diamond Jubilee, service to others.

The Prince, who confessed they would leave Australia with "great sadness", said: "These are the people of course who provide a glue to such a, I think, diverse and energetic and determined society.

"And from that point of view it has been a real joy for my wife and I to help celebrate that wonderful aspect of society in Australia.

"To pay a tribute, for what it's worth, to all these marvellous people, and to just thank them for all they do to make Australia such a very special place."

Before leaving for New Zealand, the final leg of the Diamond Jubilee tour, the royal couple paid their respects to Australia's war dead at the nation's war memorial on the eve of Remembrance Sunday.

More than 100,000 men and women have died serving the Commonwealth country since the First World War and The Prince placed a floral tribute at the monument to recognise their ultimate sacrifice.

The Australian War Memorial in Canberra is an imposing sandstone-clad Byzantine style building with a copper-covered dome.

The royal couple walked into the Hall of Memories where the remains of a First World War serviceman are interred. At each corner of the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier stood a member of a ceremonial unit from the Australian Defence Force.

Above Their Royal Highnesses’ heads was an ornate dome and they were surrounded by lavishly decorated mosaic walls featuring more than six million coloured glass tiles in a design created by Australian artist Napier Waller. The Prince laid a large wreath on the tomb before the Last Post was sounded by a bugler and a minute's silence was observed.

In the memorial's open air commemorative area were written the names of Australia's fallen and the royal couple walked past the long lists stopping at the names of those who died on operations in Afghanistan. Before leaving the royals went on a brief walkabout to meet the crowds outside the memorial.

Even the Fairfax media acknowledged: Capital embrace a hit as royals leave their mark on the city.

Stupid, stupid, stupid - Penny Wong and the Royal Anthem

When the Australian beacon for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee was lit, Her Majesty’s Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard stood side by side with the Leader of Her Majesty’s Australian Opposition Tony Abbott. While the latter sang God Save the Queen, the PM’s lips were sealed. That caused some kerfuffle in Australia. Asked by journalists, why he thought the PM did not join in singing, Tony Abbott joked that the Labor Prime Minister might not know the lyrics. “May be she sang the Internationale during her youth ...”

Australian Finance Minister Penny Wong defended her Labor leader by making clear, that she (Ms Wong) knew the lyrics of the Australian National Anthem Advance Australia fair, but not those of a foreign anthem.

It is deplorable that a woman in her position does not know that God Save the Queen is not only the British National Anthem, but also Australia’s Royal Anthem.

The website of the Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade explains:

[In] April 1984 that the Governor-General issued a proclamation that ‘God Save the Queen’ was designated the Royal Anthem, to be played at public engagements in Australia attended by the members of the Royal family. ‘Advance Australia Fair’ was finally declared to be the Australian national anthem.

Usually ‘God Save the Queen’ is played at the start of Royal functions and ‘Advance Australia Fair’ at the end, unless it is more appropriate to play both anthems at the start. ‘Advance Australia Fair’ is played at all other official functions.

Could the Australian Foreign Minister please enlighten the Australian Finance Minister about the role of the Australian anthems?

In case you would like to tell her, send her an emai: Penny.Wong.MP@aph.gov.au

It is very common to have  case to have a national and a royal, even presidential anthem. Here's a list of these countries.

The best-known example is Norway.

The Norwegian Nation Anthem



Royal Anthem of Norway - Gud Sign Vår Konge God

One documentary, two reviews, but one conclusion: No Australian republic

On BBC1 Andrew Marr presented the three-part documentary series The Diamond Queen on the last three Monday evenings looking at the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II, with special interviews and remarkable archive footage.

The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Her Majesty’s Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard as putting “the” republic on the backburner: "Right now I think in the life of the Australian nation, it is not the question at the forefront of people's minds." Her comments drew a response from interviewer and respected British journalist Andrew Marr, who said: "Even that republican Prime Minister doesn't see a republic looming anytime soon."

The Daily Telegraph goes further in explaining the republican Aussies’ problem: “Trailing [Her Majesty] during last year’s hugely popular visit to Australia, Marr repeated a hilarious quote from a leading republican there: ‘I wish she’d stop coming; she sets [our] cause back years every time she comes.’”

There you have the reason, why our sovereign is so rarely allowed to enter her Australian realm.

Australia's message to Her Majesty The Queen

6th February 2012


Her Excellency the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, has sent the following message to Her Majesty The Queen, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of her accession to the Throne:

“It gives me great pleasure, on behalf of the people of Australia, to send Your Majesty loyal and affectionate greetings and congratulations on the 60th anniversary of your accession to the Throne.

The warmth and enthusiasm which greeted Your Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh on the occasion of your 16th visit to our country last year was a reflection of the immense regard in which you continue to be held.

[My husband] Michael [Bryce] joins me in wishing you a wonderful year ahead”.


The Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Australian Opposition, the Hon. Tony Abbott posted this message on his website:

The Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen
Posted on Monday, 6th February 2012

It was sixty years ago today that Her Majesty The Queen ascended the throne on the death of her father, King George VI.

Though The Queen will formally celebrate her Diamond Jubilee in June it is appropriate that we acknowledge today The Queen’s sixty years of service.

As evidenced by the tens of thousands who greeted her during her most recent visit last year, The Queen has a special place in the hearts of all Australians.

The Queen’s first Australian Prime Minister was Sir Robert Menzies. No less than 11 Australian prime ministers and 17 opposition leaders have come and gone in those sixty years.

Whilst The Queen herself has been unchanging in her commitment to the values of service and loyalty, the Crown has evolved with the people it serves. Over the past sixty years, for instance, the office of Governor-General has evolved into a fully Australian office.

Today Australians will think of our Queen with respect and affection.

I hope all Australians will have the opportunity to celebrate and commemorate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee during 2012. The Coalition will be supportive of appropriate national commemorations that honour this significant event.


Her Majesty's Australian Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard, had a transcript of a press conference in Canberra on her website:

6th February 2012

I’ve got three matters to deal with today. First I would like to offer my congratulations to the Queen on her Diamond Jubilee. Today is the anniversary, the sixtieth anniversary of her accession to the throne. We will be saying some more about this in Parliament tomorrow and particularly the ways that Australians can get involved in celebrating the Diamond Jubilee this year.

For today it is enough to say that we are marking a remarkable event for our Monarch, she is the only person to reach – the second person to reach the Diamond Jubilee anniversary, a truly remarkable event. I believe Australians remember her visit to Australia last year with a feeling of warmth and many Australians will want to get involved in celebrating this milestone this year.

"Your Majesty, you are one of us"

The Queen of Australia's speech at Parliament House in Canberra, 21st October 2011


Prime Minister, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Prince Philip and I are delighted to be back in Australia. I find it difficult to believe that it is already five years since our last visit. Ever since I first came here in 1954, I have watched Australia grow and develop at an extraordinary rate. This country has made dramatic progress economically, in social, scientific and industrial endeavours and, above all, in self-confidence.

The Great Hall lies at the heart of Australia’s enduring democratic institutions. It is easy enough to talk about democracy, but it must never be forgotten that it represents a compact between the Australian people to accept the wishes of the majority, while always remaining conscious, and sympathetic, to those whose voices are not always heard. It is this political freedom that leads to free expression, which encourages new development in areas as varied as the arts, sport and commercial enterprise. With this foundation, Australia has flourished and achieved excellence on the world stage. The award of the Nobel Prize in Physics to Professor Brian Schmidt earlier this month is but one example. And, in the face of a global financial crisis, Australia’s robust economic record, underpinned by the strength of its institutions, has been widely acknowledged.

In an unstable world, Australians consider themselves fortunate, however they continue to make a significant contribution to world peace-keeping. This does not come without a price, and we are all conscious of the sacrifices made by the Australian armed services in international operations. Their valour has been well recognised, in particular with the awarding of the Victoria Cross to two servicemen for outstanding bravery in Afghanistan. I also share the grief felt by those families, friends and colleagues of the 29 service personnel who have been killed during this conflict.

It has been a difficult year for this country in many ways, despite the successes.

The world witnessed the anguish of Australians as they lived through a summer of natural disasters. We saw towns battered by a cyclone; homes, businesses and families destroyed by devastating floods, and across the Tasman, in New Zealand, we saw a city utterly ruined by an earthquake. I know Australian rescue and medical teams did not hesitate to lend support to their neighbours in response to this horrific event. We were all impressed by the courage and resolution shown by those affected, in the face of crippling desolation. Prince William also saw first hand the fortitude of people during this testing time.

Next week we will be in Perth for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference. It will be an important occasion for governments to discuss the challenges they face and find new ways to bring about positive change.

I am sure they will draw strength and inspiration from their time here in this prosperous, energetic, and dynamic nation of Australia.

-----------------------------------------------------

Address of the Honourable Julia Gillard, Her Majesty's Australian Prime Minister, at the Reception in Honour of Her Majesty, The Queen and His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Canberra

On an autumn day in Cape Town 64 years ago, a remarkable address was given.

It was the speech of a young woman who knew a life of duty stretched before her.

A life she accepted with courage and with grace.

In that address, Princess Elizabeth pledged that her “whole life whether it be long or short” would be devoted to the service of the British people and the Commonwealth.

Your Majesty, You have kept that pledge with unbroken constancy of purpose.

And the life upon which you were venturing has turned out to be long, eventful and greatly productive.

So it is that we greet you on the sixteenth time you have honoured us with a visit to our shores.

Many heads of state and government are welcomed within these walls.

But in this home of Australian democracy, you are a vital constitutional part, not a guest.

Just as in this nation, you can only ever be welcomed as a beloved and respected friend.

Your Majesty is the longest-lived sovereign in British history.

And surely history’s most travelled head of state as well.

You are also the first and only reigning monarch to venture upon these shores.

Not merely to visit – but to share and understand the life of this nation.

You have witnessed our evolution from a small agricultural economy to an open, modern trading nation at home in this region and the world.

A vibrant multicultural democracy that has welcomed people from every corner of the globe.

A nation that honours its First Peoples and speaks the truth about its past.

A nation that more fully embraces the rights and aspirations of all its people, women and men alike.

And it is perhaps a sign of our progress that Your Majesty was welcomed at Canberra Airport by a female Governor-General, a female Prime Minister and a female Chief Minister.

These have been remarkable decades indeed.

My eminent predecessor once spoke of a lady passing by.

Far from passing by, you have endured.

You have endured with dignity and abiding strength of spirit.

As heir and monarch, you have walked fully two-thirds of Australia’s national journey with us.

Understanding with clarity and sympathy our growing maturity as a nation and as a people.

Visiting every corner of this Commonwealth.

And sharing great national moments like the opening of the Opera House, the Bicentenary and this very Parliament building.

Now you stand at the gate of a truly extraordinary year;

An anniversary experienced by only one other monarch in our long history: because in 14 weeks time, the people of Britain and the Commonwealth will mark your diamond jubilee.

We will celebrate that jubilee with sincere gratitude and joy.

We will honour a wise and gracious sovereign who has spent her life in the cause of duty.

And we will honour the consort who has stood so constantly

at your side, himself a true friend of this country in peace and war; an outstanding supporter of science, innovation, and the education and support of our young people; and man whose robust humour and commonsense have always resonated with the Australian character.

Your Majesty, we do not know where Australia’s path of nationhood may lead in the times to come.

We are, as you once so rightly said, “a country on the move and will go on being so”.

But we know this for a certainty: your journey of service will continue all the length of your days.

Keeping faith with the pledge made in Cape Town so many years ago.

And keeping faith with us, the people you have so long served.

And who give you, in return, our lasting affection and our very deep respect.


Address of the Honourable Tony Abbott, Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Australian Opposition at a Reception in Honour of Her Majesty, The Queen and His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Canberra

Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, Prime Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is indeed an honour to join the Prime Minister with her most eloquent welcome to the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on their 16th visit to our country.

Your Majesty, while 11 Australian prime ministers and no less than 17 opposition leaders have come and gone, for 60 years you have been a presence in our national story and given the vagaries of public life, I’m confident that this will not be the final tally of the politicians that you have outlasted.

In fact, the Crown is probably the oldest continuing institution in Western civilisation, after the papacy. The Crown which we inherited in 1788 has evolved as our country has grown. Once, the Crown in Australia was personified by an Englishman representing the British government. Today, the Governor-General is always a distinguished Australian who is a representative of the people above and beyond politics.

The Crown has been a symbol of stability and continuity because it has adapted to the changing times. Australians have rejected some change because they feared that it might not be real progress; but we would welcome other change, such as the proposal to end discrimination against women in the line of succession and to allow marriage to Catholics, because it is a sign that ancient institutions need not be anachronisms.

The monarchy is an expression of Burke’s lovely concept of institutions as compacts between those who are living, those who are dead and those who are yet to be born. Previous generations, after all, weren’t wrong about everything. This generation doesn’t have a monopoly on wisdom and insight. We should keep the faith with our forbears just as our descendants should keep faith with us and just as you pledged, your Majesty, on ascending the throne.

Your own life has been an exemplar of the ideals of duty and service that make societies strong and civilisations last. When you observed, after the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York, that “grief is the price we pay for love”, you spoke not for England and not for Australia but for the world.

Although the office is bigger than any individual, the monarchy can indeed wax or wane on the character of incumbents.

To your Royal Highness, Prince Philip, may I say that you have brought humanity and irreverence to what might otherwise be a stuffy institution. When introduced to Cate Blanchett as someone who works in movies, you asked her whether she could help to fix the palace DVD. Only locals are allowed to joke about our Cate so that makes you at least an honorary Australian.

When I read, your Majesty, that this was expected to be your last Australian tour, I was reminded of an interview that Archbishop Mannix did on the occasion of his 96th birthday. At its close, the youthful reporter said that he hoped to do the same interview again next year. “I don’t see why not” said the prelate, “you look healthy enough to me”.

At the close of his best volume of memoirs, Clive James wrote: “as I type this last paragraph, it’s raining in the city of London. Below me in the street, the umbrellas are commiserating with one another. But twelve thousand miles away and ten hours from now, the yachts will be racing on Sydney Harbour under a sky of powdered sapphire on a sea of crushed diamond. The birthplace of the fortunate sends out its invisible waves of recollection. It always does and it always will until the last of us come home”.

Your Majesty, you have taken such obvious pleasure in your visits to this country and that pleasure is amply reciprocated by the Australian people amongst whom you will always be welcome. It is not necessary to live permanently in Australia well and truly to belong here. You are one of us.

Looking ahead to the Queen's arrival in Australia

Julia Gillard will pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth's reign as an inspiration 'to complete the journey' of women's leadership.

She told The Sunday Age:

'When Her Majesty became Queen in 1952, women in parliamentary and ministerial office were rarities. Only one woman had ever served in federal cabinet and no woman was to hold office as a first minister until Rosemary Follett in 1989.'

Tony Abbott's NO to a republic: "Not in my lifetime"

In response to Julia Gillard's idea of having "a" republic after the Queen's death, Tony Abbott reaffirmed that Australia won't become a republic in his lifetime.

Asked by The Age whether he thought there would ever be a republic, the Opposition Leader said the republican cause had been with us for a long time, "but the Australian people have demonstrated themselves to be remarkably attached to institutions that work".

"I think that our existing constitutional arrangements have worked well in the past. I see no reason whatsoever why they can't continue to work well in the future.

"So while there may very well be further episodes of republicanism in this country, I am far from certain that at least in our lifetimes there is likely to be any significant change," Mr. Abbott said.

Murdoch the clairvoyant

In an interview Julia Gillard revealed her republican attitude, which did not really come as a surprise. “I believe that this nation should be a republic. I also believe that this nation has got a deep affection for Queen Elizabeth. But I think the appropriate time for this nation to be a republic will be when we see the monarch change.” She then continued, she obviously wanted to see Queen Elizabeth live a long and happy life. “Having watched her mother, there's every chance that she will.”

What was highly speculative, because a politician’s wishful thinking cannot be forced onto the Australian people, even if this politician happens to be at present the country’s prime minister, became a fact in Rupert Murdoch’s Melbourne daily MX:


The headline does not contain a question mark, as if Julia Gillard’s idea were a fact. But still, when it comes to changing the Australian Constitution it is not Rupert Murdoch – and/or any politician – who make the decision, but the Australian people.

As the British Labour politician Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, FRS, PC (11 March 1916 – 24 May 1995) said: “A week is a long time in politics.” When it comes to the Queen’s lifetime, it might last for another decade and more. Who can predict the political landscape in 2020? Not even a clairvoyant like Rupert Murdoch could tell the future.

Why should the Australians not show the same loyalty to King Charles as they showed it to the other Australian Monarchs? The preparation for a referendum takes years, in which the Australian people will get used to the next Monarch. They will shout in due course of time: "The Queen is dead! Long live the King!"

Who deserves a chance?

The Sunday Age has urged its audience to vote for the ALP: “With no great enthusiasm, we say the ALP should be returned on Saturday.” Why? “Gillard deserves her chance”. That really sums it up.

Interestingly enough, the editorial did not mention one reason for a Gillard vote that is usually so dear to the Fairfax media: A republic. Not one hint to vote for Labor because of the party’s republican agenda. What does this tell us? No hope for “a” republic under Gillard? In order not to embarrass her, better don’t mention “a” republic. Or should Monarchists not be driven into the Coalition’s arms? After all, a third of the Labor voters said No to a republic in the 1999 referendum. In this close electoral race every vote counts and could decide who shall form the next Australian government.

During the election campaign Julia Gillard has kept quiet on the republic issue. At the National Press Club in Canberra mid-July “Ms Gillard has said that she does not sense that the republic debate is a burning issue for Australians and has refused to promise that she will hold a referendum if elected.”

"Where the republic debate went wrong was that it became too much about what people like me think and not enough about what Australian community thinks. This has to be about a community consensus and I don't believe we are there yet."

What if she never gets there?

Sexist

Why is it right for the Australian Labor Party (ALP) to try and flock women around the female contender to the office of prime minister (The Age: Women rally to Gillard as ALP leads poll)? And why would it be considered sexist, should Tony Abbott try to do the same with his fellow males?

Our Lady of Altona aka Saint Julia, has already been beatified by the media, she can do no wrong.

The media have already made up their mind about “The Mad Monk”, and his admiration for women (The Age: Abbott praises the women in his life) has been ridiculed.

Who is the most sexist in this country?