Survey: Queenslanders love the Australian Monarchy

The Queensland Times chose bizarre headline so report on a positive event: Survey shock: Ipswich loves the Royals

 "Ipswich voters are among the country's most enthusiastic supporters of Australia retaining its ties with the monarchy and not becoming a republic.

"And they are just as passionate about Australia investing more money on defence, and getting tougher on temporary foreign workers and restricting the number of 457 visas issued.

"Those attitudes became clear when the ABC published results of its Vote Compass survey, which measures the responses of 900,000 Australians to a number of propositions.

"The report showcases the electorates where voters are 'most in agreement' and 'least in agreement' with the propositions put forward in the Vote Compass survey.

"Voters in the electorate of Blair ranked ninth in the country in their support for the monarchy.

"Of the 10 electorates that stood most firmly behind the monarchy, nine were Queensland seats - including Wright, which also covers parts of Ipswich.

"Federal LNP candidate Teresa Harding said she supported Australia's form of government and saw no reason it change it.

"But Labor MP for Blair Shayne Neumann said he thought it was time Australia had its own head of state and believed the change was inevitable."

The survey result reflects Queensland's loyalty to the Crown. In the 1999 referendum 62.56 percent of the Queenslanders said No to a politicians republic. They rejected the model, which was overwhelmingly endorsed by the republicans at the 1998 Constitutional Convention.

Australian Referendum on the question: Do You Approve of the Establishment of the Commonwealth of Australia as a Republic with the Queen and Governor-General being Replaced by a President Appointed by a Two-Thirds Majority of the Members of the Commonwealth Parliament, 6th November 1999

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Today a republican - gone tomorrow

Yesterday the Australian federal Treasurer Wayne Swan stated his republican creed:

"The time may not indeed be right for an immediate referendum, but it is my belief that it is always the right time to argue for the merits of a republic and prepare the ground for future constitutional change. The road to an Australian republic is a long one, without a timetable, and so the journey must continue.

"The case for a republic is as simple as it is compelling, and one that I have been making since my maiden parliamentary speech in 1993."

Funny that he referred to his maiden speech, since yesterday's press conference might be the preface of his swan song, his last political statement. Today he is faced with a disastrous opinion poll "Swan likely to lose seat amid Queensland Labor despair" (The Age, 4th June 2013):

"Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan looks set to lose his Brisbane seat of Lilley for a second time, with internal polling suggesting Labor will struggle to retain any Queensland seats north of the Brisbane River at the September 14 federal election.
"The results are so dire for Labor that a ''worst case'' scenario suggests Kevin Rudd could become Labor's ''last man standing'' in Queensland, with the former prime minister the only Queensland MP who is seen as likely to retain his seat.

"The Queensland polling, taken in recent weeks in Mr Swan's electorate, is believed to show that his primary vote has collapsed to just 28 per cent, compared to 41 per cent at the last election.

"Mr Swan has held the seat since 1998, although at the last election his margin narrowed from 8 per cent to 3.2 per cent, with a 10 percentage point fall in his primary vote."

Let's hope for the best that could happen. Wayne Swan will lose his seat in September and have a lot of time afterwards to become a full time republican propagandist. Or should we say "itinerant preacher"? Even The Age's editorial admitted today: "The increasing likelihood is that a federal Coalition government led by Tony Abbott, an ardent monarchist, would consign a republic to the political deep freeze for at least a few more years. "

No need to feel sorry - neither for Mr. Swan nor for The Age. This letter to the editor says it all:

According to internal polling, Wayne Swan is about to receive a well-deserved and long overdue ''efficiency dividend'' from his electorate (4/6). Can't wait.
Lucien Zalcman, North Fitzroy

Seen at Federation Square in Melbourne.

It goes without saying, that The Age, like the ABC, has totally ignored The Queen's Diamond Coronation Jubilee. All they could publish was a re-print from The Sunday Telegraph last Wednesday, 29th May: Working overtime. No wonder, The Age no longer uses the PR sloag: "If it matters to you, it's in The Age." Such an obvious lie wouldn't work anymore.

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The Prince and Duchess arrive in Queensland

An orphaned kangaroo joey stole The Duchess of Cornwall's heart today as The Prince of Wales and his wife were welcomed to the Australian Outback.
The Duchess cuddled 12-month-old Rooby Blue during a visit to the remote rural settlement of Longreach and joked: "There's a first time for everything."

His Royal Highness also embraced the life of the bushwhacker, donning an iconic akubra hat when the royal couple visited the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame, a heritage centre chronicling the pioneering cattle men who developed the Outback.

With temperatures reaching a blistering 40 degrees The Prince and his wife may have been tempted to take up an offer of an ice cold beer from Queensland Premier Campbell Newman who had welcomed Their Royal Highnesses at the airport.

But The Duchess sheltered under a parasol and said the burning sun had produced "a nice dry heat" in comparison with Papua New Guinea, where they had begun their Diamond Jubilee tour at the weekend.

It is Her Royal Highnesses' first visit to Australia and in true Aussie style the locals later held a barbecue for their visitors.

When The Duchess was introduced to the joey, being cared for by farmers Nic and Carley Walker, she said "Oh hello," then "Very friendly. Doesn't it look pretty?"

Rooby Blue, wrapped in a cloth bag to mimic her mother's pouch, was stroked under the chin by The Duchess who then happily held the animal.

The Duchess also took an interest in the orphan and gave the joey a pat on the head, prompting his wife to say: "That's so sweet."

Mrs Walker, 33, who lives with her husband and two daughters on a sheep and cattle station near Longreach, said: "She was orphaned - her mother was killed on the road. A chap that was travelling from Melbourne picked her up and pulled her from her mother's pouch.

"Someone called me and I picked her up. We've had her since August and will have her a few months more, when she will be fully released."

Mrs Walker said the royal meeting went better than expected: "Rooby is a redhead, so she is by nature temperamental. I wasn't sure if she would pop out of the pouch or kick out, but it went very well."

The Prince put on his akubra hat just before giving a speech to the local community and dignitaries.

Clearly in a relaxed mood, The Prince told the crowd of his time in Australia in the 1960s, dealing with snakes and kangaroos on cross-country runs.

Reminiscing about his time studying at Timbertop, a remote annexe of Geelong Church of England Grammar School in Melbourne, he said: "I was fortunate enough to experience just a little of Outback life while I was a schoolboy in Victoria nearly 50 years ago.

"I cannot pretend to remember a great deal about my school curriculum but I can recall in every detail the long treks through the bush in searing heat. For company I remember funnel-web spiders, bull ants, leeches that could only be removed with a cigarette end, snakes of every description and kangaroos that overtook us on cross-country runs through the bush at Timbertop."

The Prince went on to say: "Ladies and gentlemen, the main reason for this 'bonza barbie' is to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee with its theme of service to others.

"At the height of the British summer in June, as the rain lashed down, nine Australian surfboats fought their way down the River Thames as part of the Diamond Jubilee pageant. Although the skills of those lifesavers were not required that day, the sight of those yellow shirts reminded us of all those Australians who do their bit for their communities and the wider good."

With a population of just under 3,000 and miles from the coast, Longreach was the first port of call in the royal couple's six-day Diamond Jubilee tour of Australia before they head to New Zealand.

The town is home to the airline Qantas and in one of the company's original hangars the couple saw a demonstration by the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and the Prince - patron of the service's British friends - named a new plane.

In the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame they saw a display of whip cracking on horseback and inspected some bush artefacts, while the Prince was presented with a stock whip.

Rob Thomas, a director of the Hall of Fame, said the attraction reflected a dying way of life. "It's a celebration of the stockmen in opening up Australia."

But the changing economics of farming meant that farms were getting bigger, and what was once done on horseback was now done by motorcycle, car and plane, he said, adding: "But there will always be a need for stockmen. Riding horses is essential - there are some places so remote you cannot get fuel.

"And there are some wonderful old stockmen. The stockman is a tough, raw guy who can go through heat and floods. He spends months in the bush on his own. They are wiry, they are strong and they are some of the best horsemen in the world."

Their Royal Highnesses went on a walkabout towards the end of their visit and the couple chatted with the crowd, some of whom had driven for hours to see the royal visitors.

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Meet the Royal Couple in Queensland

MONDAY 5th NOVEMBER 2012

LONGREACH

4.00 pm Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall arrive at Longreach Airport

4.15 pm THRs attend a Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) event venue: QANTAS Museum Hangar

4.55 pm TRHs arrive at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and view artefacts and displays and meet families with historical connections to the region

5.10 pm TRHs leave by foot for Cattlemen’s Bar and Grill where they attend a Diamond Jubilee Community BBQ Venue: The Cattlemen’s Bar and Grill

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Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Brisbane

The Duchess of Cambridge set foot on Australian soil for the first time today, to the delight of around 200 locals and travellers who waited in viewing areas at Brisbane Airport to see her.

Her Royal Highness walked down the steps of the plane at 11.45am local time, where she and Prince William the Duke of Cambridge were met by consular officials who had placed a small square of red carpet on the tarmac. The Duchess spent less than three hours on Australian soil during her first visit to the country, but it was still time enough for her to win over its people.

Wearing a powder pink floral dress designed by Dannii Minogue, the Australian singer, the Duchess caused excitement at Brisbane airport as she walked through a public departure lounge waving and smiling. Around 200 local people and travellers gathered on viewing platforms, alongside five television crews and a dozen newspaper photographers.

The future King of Australia and his wife came from their last official duty stop in Tuvalu at  the end of a nine-day tour marking the Queen's Diamond Jubilee which also took them to Singapore, Malaysia and the Solomon Islands.

In Tuvalu they were treated to a traditional Tuvalu feast of pigs, lobster, coconut crabs and local fresh fruit. They also wore the traditional "titi saga" or skirt as they danced with locals in the remote tropical nation, one of the world's smallest countries which is situated near the equator.


In 2008 Tuvalu had shown loyalty to the Crown by refusing a proposal to introduce a republic. In a referendum 64.98% of the voters cast their ballot paper in favour of retaining Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Tuvalu, as their Monarch.

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Arguments for an Upper House of Parliament

Contrary to other editions, today's Saturday Age contained a letter to the editor that is worth considering:

Queensland voters today may deliver electoral devastation not only to the ALP, but to significant voices of opposition - as the state continues without its upper house. Yet the major parties refuse to restore that second chamber of Parliament, which was abolished in 1922.

Upper houses accommodate significant smaller and opposing voices who can restrain government. They promote accountability, unhurried consideration and better public consultation.

Family First, One Nation, the Greens and the Australian Party want to restore the Queensland Legislative Council - but they may not gain any representation under existing arrangements.

David d'Lima, Sturt, South Australia

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Prince William to visit New Zealand and Australia in March

Prince William will visit New Zealand and Australia next week to tour areas devastated by recent natural disasters, St James's Palace has said. On 17th March the Prince will travel go to Greymouth, near the site of the Pike River mine disaster on the South Island of New Zealand in which 29 people died. The following day he will go to Christchurch where more than 150 people died in an earthquake last month. Prince William will give a reading at a National Memorial Service in a Christchurch park on the 18th March, which is expected to be attended by up to 100,000 people, and then carry out other engagements in the area.

On 19th March will arrive in Australia and spend two days visiting a number of areas in Queensland affected by the recent floods and cyclone. On 21st March he will arrive in north-western Victoria to view areas affected by the worst floods in the state’s history.

The Prince will visit the two countries on behalf of the Queen following invitations from Her Majesty’s prime ministers of New Zealand and Australia. "William will be travelling on behalf of the Queen and the wider Royal Family," St James's Palace spokesman said.

The spokesman added: "The Royal Family have been watching the natural disasters with the same shock and sadness as everyone else.

"They wanted to show their solidarity with the people of New Zealand and Australia, and the decision was taken with the prime ministers' offices and the royal household that Prince William should attend and visit the countries."

Prince William will meet those affected by the recent disasters, and members of the emergency and other support services.

New Zealand
Prime Minister John Key told reporters today that Prince William would speak at the memorial service.

"This is a heart-warming gesture that will mean a lot to the thousands of people whose lives have been forever changed by these events," Mr Key said. "I think all New Zealanders will appreciate the gesture from The Queen to ask Prince William to come down. It's a very important step that he's taking because it shows you the international feeling for Christchurch and Cantabrians."

Victoria
Premier Ted Baillieu said he was "delighted" Prince William was showing his support to hard-hit communities.

“The Royal Family has shown a lot of interest in the terrible damage done to communities and families by the floods and Victorians will be greatly heartened to know of their interest,"’ Mr Baillieu said.

“The Prince’s visit will provide immense support and comfort to communities and families stricken by these floods.”

Queensland
Premier Anna Bligh said the visit would do wonders for the state’s struggling tourism industry.

"I do thank the Prince for his decision to visit Australia," she told state parliament, "I hope that he sends the message back to his friends and colleagues in the UK that Queensland is open for business and that while he’s here he gets an opportunity to see that himself."

The local media
The Age published a rather silly comment by Michael Shmith: Will we still have the will for Will? . What else could be expected?

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Crown Princess Mary and Prince Charles send messages to the Queensland flood victims



HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark gave birth to two healthy children - soon called "Little Boy" and "Little Girl" - at Rigshospitalet on 8th January 2011.

TRH Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary left the clinic on 14th January and were greeted with cheering Royalists.

Australian media people asked the Australian born Danish Crown Princess about her reaction to the floods in Queensland. After noticing her concern, Channel 10 turned "to our Royal" and broadcast HRH Prince Charles' message to the Queensland flood victims.


The Prince of Wales said the floods in Australia were "almost impossible to imagine" as he made a donation to the relief efforts.

He also paid tribute to the work of the Emergency Services and the Armed Forces in Brisbane.

The private donation is to the Queensland Premier's Flood Relief Appeal.

Speaking at his Scottish residence, Birkhall, The Prince told the BBC: "So many of us here in this country wanted to offer our deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in this appalling tragedy. We’ve all been watching with mounting dismay and concern the appalling nature of these floods.

"I realise only too well that so much is dependant on the actions of the state, the emergency services, the armed forces, the Queensland Police, who in so many ways I know have made a fantastic difference to people's lives in these sort of disasters.

"I realise only too well - we all do - that the aftermath, the clean-up, the reconstruction, all this effort is going to be vast and I'm so glad to hear that the Queensland fund has been set up to which I'm only too happy and proud to contribute something."

The donation follows one by the Queen a day before.

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A message from The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to The Prime Minister of Australia about the flooding in Queensland


Clive Alderton, Private Secretary for Commonwealth and Foreign Affairs to the office of The Prime Minister of Australia: "The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall have been deeply moved by news of the flooding in Queensland. The Prince of Wales has asked if you could kindly arrange for the following message to be delivered to the Prime Minister as soon as possible, please."

The message from Their Royal Highnesses:

"My wife and I have been horrified by reports of the terrible flooding in Queensland. The scale of the disaster all but defies belief and, on behalf of us both, I just wanted you to know how much our hearts go out to the hundreds of thousands of people whose lives and property have been affected. I also wanted to say how enormously impressed we have been by what is, clearly, outstanding combined work of the military, emergency services, Federal and State authorities in ensuring that people are evacuated to places of safety.

As we all mark the start of a New Year I can only pray that the worst of the flooding is over and send you every possible good wish as you work for the recovery of the many communities involved."

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