In an article on the Queen’s Birthday weekend, Stephanie Peatling writes in the SMH that the Liberal Party is actively talking to republicans about proposed changes to the Constitution even though the Opposition Leader,Tony Abbott, is a fervent monarchist. Joe Hockey, the Shadow Treasurer and long a publicly declared republican, is now the Coalition’s republic negotiator having taken over from Malcolm Turnbull. [Hockey Takes on Republic Cause, Stephanie Peatling in the Sydney Morning Herald]. Australia is one of few Commonwealth countries that has a public holiday to mark the birthday of their monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II.
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
