So....the Queen is coming to town....

[EternalFacepalm]

No one should have to curtsy the queen. She has done nothing to deserve the position she has, and this goes for all monarchies. It makes no sense for them to be there in the first place.

 

[smithy_2045]

Eugh, this shit is going to dominate the news until she buggers off again... great...

 

[Trippy Turtle]

I would have believed that we had the best rulers ever if Julia Gillard said sup and done a secret handshake with the queen. Also why does the queen deserve respect? She was born into that position she didn't earn it.

 

[StBishop]

It's not stupid to expect a civilian of any type to bow to their monarch. Ever.

It's even less stupid to expect someone to bow to their boss. Because that's exactly what the Queen is.

If she says so, Julia loses her job. No questions asked.

Look, there's really no other way to say this but what the fuck are you on about?

Australia inherited the primacy of the parliament over the crown from the UK, which was established in England after having a boisterous civil war about it. It's even in history books, just look up 'English Civil War, the'. The Crown and it's representatives have effectively been rubber stamps for whatever Parliament wanted since then.

That goes without even mentioning all the legislative work in the 70s and 80s to remove all direct influence of any UK governance on Australia, including Liz II having any say in anything. We only keep her around because she's already on the money.

My highschool Study of Society teacher misinformed me it seems.

 

[Vault101]

anywya no systm is perfect, but its better than other systms (especially medievil monarchy)

.

yeah, thats what i was refering to, fedual monarchy..I know we live in a "constitutional" monarchy

I live in Finland, I wouldn't know

I hope you guys fix the situation over there and start caring about mroe important stuff (I just got the feeling that some of you guys are focusing on the wrong side of things).

its hardly a "situation"....just some people having a fit over nothing, as i said fuled by how unpopular our prime minister at the moment (I imagine) just a news thing,

 

[Zorg Machine]

Seems like too much fuss over nothing, really.
As a little trivia to fill out this post; I ran head first into the King of Sweden when I was a kid.

I almost crashed into his boat.

OT: while she deserves respect (she is the head of state for your country after all) but this is a bit ridiculous.

 

[Cazza]

I live in Perth. I will not go anywhere near the Queen. Lucky I'm going to a 21st Birthday of a close friend so I should have a good friday. Made possible by the change of public holiday.

I'm also glad Juila Gillard didn't curtsy. That implies one person is more important then the other. Believing your more important then someone else is how slavery started and other things.

As you can tell Im not fussed by the Queen. I wouldn't say split from the commwealth but I don't feel tied to it.

 

[Danny Ocean]

what are we left with? nothing substantial

A hole in your constitution, actually.

At least it would in ours. Power is technically derived from the crown and therefore God, not Parliament.

AFAIK anyway.

Are they allowed to get non military jobs though?

They're allowed to get any job serving the crown, which includes the armies of commonwealth countries and any kind of role in The Crown (TM)- Diplomat, Adviser, Etc...

Some of them have published books. I don't know.

I once forced the Queen+Charles to go offroad near Windsor. I wouldn't get out of their way because I was busy staring at a plane.


I don't know why everyone's getting mad at the royals for being too stuck-up when it's actually Australian papers that are making all the fuss. Throw some shrimp on the barbie and calm down mate.

 

[Elivercury]

I'm rather of the opinion that while I'm unsure why it's a massive media frenzy that she didn't curtsy, I don't really see why she didn't do so in the first place. It's a simple sign of respect, it's not degrading and takes a whole 3 seconds.

As for the whole "The queen has no power here, why the fuck should we show any deference at all to her" argument. You do kinda have her face on your money and she is your sovereign, just like the UK. She has no power here either btw.

 

[Deadyawn]

I completely agree that the whole thing is byllshit but it's not like this stuff isn't happening ALL THE TIME. The media makes issues out of nothing because they have to report something at the end of the day. I don't think this requires much discussion. I would also point you towards the hamster wheel which pokes fun at this kind of crap.

 

[Deadyawn]

Just a technicality but no the Queen can't fire Julia, that power is only held by the Governor General, who is approved by the Queen, who as far as I know has always said yes to whoever we've proposed. That is the extent of her involvement in Australia.

In fact only one PM has ever actually been dismissed and I fail at history so I'm not sure who. I think it was whitlam. THAT was a fiasco.

 

[dex-dex]

The Queen comes to Canada more frequently then Australia so most people have sort of lost the novelty of the Queen coming to Canada. and also she usually only goes to Ottawa so yeah.
if it is optional then don't get your panties in a bunch when the person does not so something THAT IS OPTIONAL!
I mean it is like if you host a party and you say black dress optional you can't get upset if someone comes in a dress shirt and pants.
so these people understand the concept of optional?

 

[Craorach]

A monarchist?

You actively support inbred halfwits being paid to be overrated diplomats, housed in palaces and occassionally saying something racist or publicly supporting homeopathy?

The PM of Australia is a greater world leader than any monarch, because a PM has to have a democratic mandate to rule rather than a 'divine right'.

I believe I don't want the country ruled, exclusively, by either people there because of the family they were born into OR people there only as long as they keep the public happy.

This makes me unpopular, especially on a forum like this, I guess. The fact of the matter is however that I feel that there is some value to such positions.

 

[Optional Opinion]

fuck the queen, the lazy ***** "Get a Job"

I don't think the monarchy are actually allowed to get jobs, either that or there is a very limited range professions they are allowed to do.

Most of the males if not all of them have served some time in the military. Then when they are out they provide 'Royal Duties' which mainly consists of cutting ribbons and petting small children.

 

[coolkirb]

Did not bother reading the whole post as from what I gathered from your language and frequent swearing you dont no much about government.

 

[Da Orky Man]

It's weird finding out people get paid to write articles about this kind of stuff. I wish I had a job that insipid.

Oh wait, no I don't.

The leader of our country does not have to curtsy to the bloody Queen of bloody England. Their traditions are not our traditions, and a firm handshake shows respect without demeaning or belittling either party.

Besides, I doubt the Queen herself gives any kind of a damn, this is just gossipers gossiping.

Technically, they do. Since Australia is part of the Commonwealth, the Queen is indeed the Australian head of state. Exactly the same for any other Commonwealth nation.

 

[El Poncho]

The media gets all riled up about it and suddenly that is also the Queen's opinion? Well look who's jumping to conclusions.

 

[Vicarious Reality]

King Carl Gustaf came by here when i was about 16, in the middle of the worst rainstorm i've probably seen, lulz

 

[BanicRhys]

Now I hate the monarchy as much as the next guy but I fully respect the Queen's right to relieve Ms Backstabbing ***** Gillard of her head.