The CIA World Factbook assesses Australia as: an enviable, strong economy with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European economies. Emphasis on reforms, low inflation, a housing market boom, and growing ties with China have been key factors over the course of the economy's 17 solid years of expansion.
It seems like an anachronism - the Monarch of England (currently the Queen) is Australia's head of state. Also, the Monarch appoints the Governor General, who calls for parliamentary elections and subsequently appoints the Prime Minister. The Governor-General is also the head of the Australia Defence Forces. It sounds strange for an independent country to be ruled by another country's monarch, doesn't it?
Australia debates ditching the Queen tells growing numbers of citizens are questioning why the monarch is Australia's head of state. However, not everyone agrees - British migrates overwhelming favor maintaining the constitutional monarchy. But the republican party claims 85% of the country is in favor of a constitutional referendum to change the government.
Maybe though, the country's desire to abandon the monarch is really about abandoning the west. "We are becoming more Asian-orientated and there are more Asian people in Australia and they have no affiliation with the UK," suggests the mood is anti-western rather than anti-monarch. Mmm. Methinks the world is changing.
Comments