>Sorry, Bill, won't do as way to wriggle out.
>Backwards as we Yanks are in lots of ways we did show
>the world how to get out from under a monarchy 200
>years ago.
That's right, you went running to the French and beseeched them to come to your rescue, as I recall my history. I'm not sure that would work again. For a start they are probably a bit disappointed in your lack of gratitude and wouldn't be bothered helping out Anglos again. So you've stuffed that for the rest ofr us, hope you're proud of yourselves? They're also a bit less inclined to that sort of martial adventure these days. The EEU and all that. I think one of the rules is they aren't allowed to go to war with England anymore.
>These days you wouldn't even have to bring down the
>squirrel muskets and hold your fire till you see the
>whites of their eyes, have only one life to give for
>your country, pledge your lives, your fortunes, and
>your sacred honor, make any midnight rights in Boston
>or Canberra, or winter at the Downunder equivalent of
>Valley Force. A vote in parliament would probably
>suffice, and the Brits wouldn't even send the Germans
>after you the way they did us.
Needs a referendum to amend the constitution I'm afraid. Which is a tricky thing just to get started. (You need an act of parliament (with Royal Assent) just to get the question on the ballot. Then you need a majority of voters, *in a majority of states* to approve it. Such things hardly ever pass, Australians being a suspicious lot. They tried it a few years back and it was rejected. Trouble was, the referendum proposed what we call here a "Clayton's" republic. The republic you have when you aren't having a republic.
The proposal was for a republic of Australia with a head of state appointed by parliament. The majority decided they might as well stick with old 'Liz. Didn't trust the politicians. It would pass if people were offered the chance to elect a head of state, like in a dinki-di republic. But we have no mechanism of having such a question put to referendum, if the pollies won't approve it. So it ain't go'na happen.
Sure, we could get out our muskets and start shooting people. But unlike Americans, we aren't that excitable. It isn't as if we think it would make that much difference. Judging by the way it worked out for you, it could be out of the frying pan into the fire. That isn't worth killing and dying for.
Anyhow, there's a few perks. Like I say, the buck stops with Liz, not my fault mate. You can only dream of having that excuse.
Bill Bartlett Bracknell tas