A Royal vistor’s presence renews speculation about a second referendum on the Republic. Attorney-General, Robert McClelland says the Republic is an obvious question to include in the next referendum if Labor wins this years election. Other topics at the top of the list are recognition of (a) our Indigenous peoples; (b) cooperative federalism and (c) local government in the Constitution. But Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, rapidly killed off the suggestion saying this was not in the Government’s plans and that “the referendum on the republic is something that will happen at some point in the future”. Kristina Keneally, NSW Premier, supports the reopening of the debate. [Royal Visit Reopens Referendum Debate by Angela Dorizas on governmentnews.com.au; Gillard Talks Down Republic by Misha Schubert in The Age]
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
