Malcolm has told us all he wants for xmas is a republic; in this, at last, I agree with him.
However, he warns of the danger of a popularly elected president, possibly creating an alternative source of power to the PM and parliament. Also, he thinks the republic won’t happen until Betty passes on. That may well be another 20 years. It’s like one of those budgetary measures proposed, to come into effect in about a decade’s time.
Public opinion would be gauged by plebescite; we know from another recently proposed issue, that even if the public agree with the proposal, parliament might not necessarily agree.
How many modifications to the idea does a politician need?
What he could agree to, however is a 3 for the price of 1:
the republic, indigenous recognition, same sex union. But, when do pollies do things that sensibly save money?
anton veenstra making tapestry & objects 