Time to step up to the plate, monarchists

All the new republican talk is the perfect opportunity for other Australian monarchists to show that they too are serious about what they believe in.

It’s time for them to call for our Queen to follow the examples of Richard I, James I, Charles II and George I.

She should live with us, and Britain should have a Governor-General.

This means, of course, that Britain’s monarch will be living in a foreign country on the other side of the world.

Once here, she will take advice from the government of Australia alone, and work for Australia alone.

She will make state visits to promote Australian interests alone, regardless of how they may clash with British interests (especially in agricultural trade).

And she herself will make laws for Australia which will restrict British exports here, as well as the free movement of British people here.

No doubt some Brits will find this to be not only nonsense, but an intolerable outrage as well.

They will say that no monarch should ever treat her people like that, and that any monarch who did should lose her throne, or her head, or both.

But this is the point at which Australian monarchists will really come into their own.

They will finally be able to talk soothingly to some foreigners about just how good all this is.

Monarchists – your great chance has arrived.

This is how you can show that the monarchy is not just a system of colonial grovelling.

So don’t just sit there sucking your thumbs.

Grant Agnew

Coopers Plains