We thought it best to wait until the old girl has kicked it before we go down the republic path again
Anyway, in Australia, as in most other countries in the Commonwealth of Nations, the Queen is more a Chairman of the Board rather than a Monarch. And when you think of the alternatives, like South Africa, I reckon we are better off.
Gee, I hope I'm not being to sarcastic, there I go again
Her Majesty is not only the Head of State, but she really does have real and genuine affection from her 'subjects'. In our unwritten constitution 'she' is one of the key counter balances from real dictatorship, given the power people like 'his tonyness' had and created for themselves by ignoring parliament. I am not sure what happens next after she goes though.....
BTW, the monarch has the right - under the Royal Prerogative - to declare war etc without asking parliament. This is exercised on her behalf by the PM in our democracy and 'Gordon' is talking about giving some of it back to Parliament........we will see
As for sarcasm Oz, can't think what you mean????
I would chip in with a British recipe, we have some really good ones, but lard and spam sandwich might not be too appealing. I suppose we could always have spam and chips.................