TONY Abbott believes it is “far from certain” Australia will become a republic in his lifetime, after Labor signalled a new push on the issue.
Julia Gillard today declared she wants Australia to become a republic when the Queen dies, and plans to lead a national debate on the form the republic would take.
The Prime Minister said today that despite being a republican, she understood that Australians had a “deep affection” for the British monarch, who is 84.
“What I would like to see as prime minister is that we can work our way through to an agreement for the model of a republic,” Ms Gillard said while campaigning in the north Queensland city of Townsville, ahead of Saturday’s election.
“But I would think the appropriate time for this nation to move to being a republic is when we see the monarch change.”
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Her comments put her absolutely at odds with Mr Abbott, a staunch monarchist who was at the centre of the anti-republican cause in the 1999 referendum, which rejected the notion of change.
Campaigning with Wayne Swan in the crucial marginal seat of Herbert, Ms Gillard said she wished the Queen a long and happy life.
“Having watched her mother I think there’s every chance that she will live a long and happy life,” she said.
Mr Abbott said he saw no reason to change the existing constitutional arrangements.
“I think the first person who wanted Australia to become a republic was John Dunmore Lang back in the 1850s,” Mr Abbott told the National Press Club in Canberra.
“This republican cause has 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, that there’s likely to be any significant change.”
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Australia is not a dictatorship and even if it became a Republic I don’t think that much will change. However, as things go, monarchies,the few remaining, in the western world will disappear eventually.
But what happens if Mrs. Gillard dies before the Queen does? Anything can happen!
So what can we draw from Stooge lady,that she is employed first and foremost by the,’We control your country’cult.
That one can omit the Tantamount and keep it simple by comprehending the Treason inherent such a thing.
You see the problem with the Usurous claim Treason lady has on Australia is that such a thing can only ever be ruinous.
These Shabbat Goyim are ten a penny and you really do not see why some cheap whore should go unchecked or unpunished.
Well that will come in time as useful idiots are only ever going to be expendable,but are you?
Lol,some of them thought Burlesque was an issue.
Trouble is Australians are not unaware of Mrs Gillard the Israelist Stooge.
It is an international problem.
There is a song in there somewhere.
What he said,with bells on.
Why wait until THEN ? It could still be years away ! We did it in 1961 and she the queen was well and alive …. actually she still is ….. Do you think she might cry her self to death if Australia becomes a Republic ? Don’t worry she has good health care. JUST DO IT. We have prophecies here in South Africa that predict that England is going to be totally destroyed. So your dream might come true much sooner. Google “siener van rensburg :-D
So what happens when this Gillard woman goes to Jesus?
Will Australians get to choose another different cockermammy schemer?
I hear you,you say she may be a Pamphleteer!
This woman is a communist. I hope she’s ousted on Saturday elections.
I’m assuming the Plantation and Mining industries may have some say,but will it be as big a say as the Print industry?