Media coverage of the engagement of our next-but-one head of state fails to mention what’s important for Australia. In 2010,109 years after Australia’s Federation, the betrothal of the heir to the heir to the British throne should be irrelevant to us, of little more interest than the engagements and weddings of other European royals. Prince William, who is not Australian, will eventually be the head of our government unless the current Constitution is changed by the people, the majority of whom want Australia to be a Republic with an Australian citizen as head of state. That change needs to be made to move our democracy into the 21st century – and sooner rather than later.
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
