The ABC concludes a two-part British documentary on the Queen in her 80th year. Republican supporters could observe that not only is the Queen very active as the United Kingdom’s Head of State but that her actions primarily take place in the UK or are focussed on representing the UK’s interests overseas. She is visible and prominent in the lives of her subjects in the UK and in a way that neither she nor her Australian representative, resident in Westbourne Woods in Canberra, are for her subjects in Australia. Before her March 2006 four-day visit to Australia, the Queen invited a large group of Australians (living in England) to attend a reception at Buckingham Palace so that she could get to know some Aussies!
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
