Julia Gillard, in London to attend the royal wedding, is asked about a new Australian poll which shows republic support dropping. She says the results “may well be reflecting that people have engaged with this love story and this exciting event. It may also be that there may have been so many other big issues for us to direct our attention towards.” She also comments, “I am excited. Two young people in love. It’s a very special wedding. There’s all the speculation about what the dress is going to look like.” [‘Wedding drowning out republic debate’ by Jeremy Thompson, ABC Online 29 April 2011]. WfaAR notes that other recent polls show support of 60% in favour of the Republic compared with around 40% in the Newspoll survey published in The Australian.
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
