At the opening of the UK Parliament, the Queen says, “My Government will continue to work with 15 other Commonwealth Realms to take forward reform of the rules governing succession to the Crown”. This means legislation to provide that children inherit in birth order irrespective of gender should be introduced this session after agreement by all the realms at CHOGM in Perth last year. The Deputy Prime Minister, NIck Clegg, later confirmed that the date of effect would be October 2011. Progress is awaited with interest. The Brits have had several attempts at this change in the last 10 years through private members’ bills rather than the Government taking the initiative as is the case this time round. Australia has already agreed to the change and will need to pass similar legislation not only through the federal parliament but also through the six State parliaments, all of which have continuing constitutional links with Britain and its monarch (also applies to Canada).
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
