BF2S Forums Canadian/Aussie Poll

I'm Aussie and i don't see the point of being in the commonwealth, although kicking ass at the games is rewarding.

but apart from that who really needs it.

Hell yes!  I think, atm, the worst part is that the Queen has kindly (and I say this with no sarcasm) decided she won't choose the Governor General.  Instead, it gets chosen on the advice of the PM.  WTF?!?!?!?!?  What the hell is the point of having someone who's prime purpose is to stop the PM being untouchable AND LETTING THE PM CHOOSE HIM!!!!!!!!!

"He." Heh, that seems kind of strange to me. Our PM is a woman, our Governor-General is a woman our Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is a woman our Speaker of the House is a woman our MAYOR OF THE CAPITAL CITY IS A WOMAN!!!
But ah well, we still get a Male for Mayor of the biggest city.
Dick Hubbard! Breakfast-cereal tychoon!

Serious now:
Queens never choose the Governor General but delegate power to them. It's basicly a sign off thing that means very little. If a PM nominates a Governor-General the Quen will reckognise and honor that.

The Queen is still our head of state, the Governor General is nothing more than a representative of the Queen's power. They rubber-stamp legislation, that is their primary purpose. They can refuse to give the final sign-off on legislation, but most likely in that case parliament will recall them. It's a power balance.
However, the Governor-general reserves the right to dismantle Parliament. It's only something given to them to make sure they do actually have some power as the representative of the Head of State, but if used would probably just fuck up everything.

Anyway, I've already written a 1500 word essay on this. If anyone's interested I have it on this computer somewhere.

Point&Shoot wrote:

At least we have 4 major parties

What's the fourth?

BN wrote:

I am not sure what changes would happen if we did become a republic. anyone know?

Very little. It would mean that the head of state would be a Canadian/Australian and that the republic has a different status in the world. there is no need to withdraw from the commonwealth, indeed most commonwealth countries are republics. the Crown has also expressed that if any of the dominions wish to become republics it would not effect immigration or work visas at all.

It's more a symbolic thing really. With Australia, Canada and New Zealand, we struggle to find our own identities, (Oz and NZ more than Canada.) becoming a republic is really just the final step of us having our own solid national identity.

Basicly the main anti-republican argument is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," which does make sense, but people still seem to find it odd that the head of state is not from their country, (i.e: not an Aussie, Kiwi or Canadian.)

Don't see any point in a constitutional monarchy. Better that we have our OWN head-of-state.

I'm suprised by this.  Canadians seem to be quite happy whereas Australians are wanting out.   I find this strange as Australia (as we know it) is a younger country than Canada and nearly all the white population decended from the British so you think they would want to keep its ties with us.  Also, Australia would have to make the most changes if they were to seperate from the Queen.  Australia Day would have to go, as that celebrates the day the British established their first colony there, and you would have to design a new flag.

Here is some more info on what being in the commonwealth means, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe … 554175.stm

Tyferra wrote:

It's more a symbolic thing really. With Australia, Canada and New Zealand, we struggle to find our own identities, (Oz and NZ more than Canada.) becoming a republic is really just the final step of us having our own solid national identity.

I understand what you're saying here but you could easily flip that around to support the Monarchists.  They could argue that all three coutries have a history and national identity with the Royal Family being part of that; becoming a Republic wouldn't give you a different history overnight.  You would be starting from scratch and would need to wait hundreds of years before you could say we have a unique history/identity from the rest of the World.  Look at America, they still have moments of identity crisis

I dont realy care. Being part of the commonwealth now days just involves turning up to the games (and dominating i might add).

p.s. NewZelanders i wouldnt call your PM a woman. She is  seriously very scarry! lol

jj

The reason why theres not a New Zealand option is coz the brits just can't bear the thought of us leaving

JahManRed wrote:

I'm in part of the Commonwealth, Northern Ireland and I personally feel that the royal family and all the customs are part of the English way of life and culture and I'm agreeable with that.Every country needs its culture and identity. The royal family and all the English traditions were forced on the Commonwealth through invasion and war erasing 1000s of years of indigenous culture. Part of my Taxes (I'm also in the UK) go to paying for the royal family's opulence, already one of the riches families in the world on their personal fortunes alone. Yet they still get millions from the people.  I say let the English pay for them, they are their Royal Family. I like Charlie and his outspoken views on Architecture and the environment think he could be abit of a maverick when his mum passes on. I think its time for all the countries in the world to shake off their colonial past and stand up on their own and establish your own national identity. Look to the past before colonial rule. Canadians, look to your Native Indian past, Newzelanders look to your Maurie past and so on. I know most ppl in the Commonwealth come from white settlers but still.

QFE

I'm Canadian and I don't have anything against the royals as individuals but I'm glad they don't get our tax money!  The commonwealth is a throwback to colonialism and frankly, it's a bit weird that the Queen of England's head is on all our money, like we're some kind of outpost or, um... colony.

What exactly are the benefits of being in it, anyway?  I read that link to the BBC and it said something about promoting "economic and social development and the alleviation of poverty".  Crikey, is that how we're the only G8 country actually running a surplus?  Better stay in then, I guess...

dctcool wrote:

This is interesting for me

I'm Aussie AND Canadian

can i touch you?

Yes.
Oh wait... We're not in the commonwealth.