Government of Australia

[jtexas]

Okay, I know I could find this information online, but I couldn't pass up this opportunity to show my ignorance. Quizing my high school freshman daughter last night for her geography test today, I learned that Australia is a constitutional monarchy. Could this be true? Who's the king?

And is that really a geography question anyway? Sounds more like sociology or something. It's a pre-AP World Geography class btw.

 

[alden135]

Re: Government of Australia

I thought they recognized the Queen of England as their monarch.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Government of Australia

As I tell my young son, look it up for yerself.

wikipedia is an excellent source.

Ken

 

[RPJS]

Re: Government of Australia

I sore point with a lot of Aussies and a source of a lot of songs for the Barmy Army.

The Queen of England is the recognised head of state in Australia (it dates back to when Australia was just another part of the empire and nothing more than a prison collony 8)8), a little like the USA used to be8))

Life can't be much worse than it is at the moment for Australians: The Queen as thier head of state, The England cricket team holding the Ashes, The England Rugby team world champions and the pending invasion of nearly 40000 England cricket fans over christmas.

Life must be hell.

8)8)

 

[JB]

Re: Government of Australia

Not to mention the death of Aussie icon Steve Irwin!

 

[jtexas]

Re: Government of Australia

Is Australia a British possession, then?
Or a crown colony?
Or the British monarch rules both countries independently?
Do the Aussies pay taxes to England?
Do they get services in return? Like, military defense, health care, etc?
Are they represented in the British Parliament?

I've heard that it's not as hard to break away from the motherland as it once was. In fact, British Honduras (now Belize) managed it without firing a single shot. Try throwing some tea into the ocean...worked for us.

God Save the Queen!

 

[RPJS]

Re: Government of Australia

I'll answer your questions as best I can jtexas but I'm sure there will be a couple of Aussies along shortly to fill in the gaps I leave.

Australia is not a British possession, the British Empire was surrendered shortly after WWII. Those countries that wished to leave alltogether went thier own way, those who wished to remain within the newly formed Commonwelth of Nations did so.
Although the Queen is the official head of state in Australia she has no power over the country, Australia has an elected government, and are totaly self governing. As far as I'm aware they pay nothing to Britain and Britain in return gives nothing to them (except a good whopping at sport).

So you see if you hadn't got all wound up and chucked a few teabags in the river you would have had no need to be the only country in the world to ever have needed the help of the French to win a war, you would also be able to play the wonderful game.

As the Barmy Army would/will sing to the Aussie fans.

God Save YOUR Queen.

8)

 

[roscoe]

Re: Government of Australia

We didn't need the french to win the war.

We just gave them the chance to be on the winning side.

 

[QC]

Re: Government of Australia

Life can't be much worse than it is at the moment for Australians: The Queen as thier head of state, The England cricket team holding the Ashes, The England Rugby team world champions and the pending invasion of nearly 40000 England cricket fans over christmas.

and I am here trying to sell them stuff. That's gotta suck . . .

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Government of Australia

[colour=blue]Sydney is full of queens............................

Yep, a constitutional monarchy. Lizzy's the boss. In reality, apart from ceremonial carp, She hasn't stuck her nose in our business since 1975.

The Queen appoints a representative for Australia, called the 'Governor General'. In reality, Our Prime Minister 'reccomends' a GG and Lizzy complies. The GG has powers to sack the Prime Minister, but the Prime Minister also has powers to sack the GG. It happened in 1975, GG sacked Gough Whitlam.

We have had numerous votes/referendums to change it, but the baby boomers want Liz. In about 20 years time when the 'X' generation outnumber the boomers - we'll have a president.

BTW, my own personal opinion is - I like it the way it is. Our elected pollies are accessable and accountable. Can you say the same?

RP, don't get to attached to the urn.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Government of Australia

Thanks for clearing that up, guys.

Could get interesting, a face off between GG and PM...who'll pull the trigger first...

What's the rule with the British pluralization of nouns that refer to groups? I noticd RJPS said, "Australia are totaly self governing", but "Australia is not a Britsh possession."

Do Australia do that too?

Is a monarch who can be dethroned by popular vote of the people really a monarch?

 

[RPJS]

Re: Government of Australia

What's the rule with the British pluralization of nouns that refer to groups? I noticd RJPS said, "Australia are totaly self governing", but "Australia is not a Britsh possession."

Do Australia do that too?

Just late night bad grammer

 

[QC]

Re: Government of Australia

jtex,

I think RPJS missed your question and believe his "bad grammer" was when he used is . . . In Australia and the UK any group word, as you defined them, is treated as plural. I hear it a lot with Company names like: "Ford are introducing a new car.", "Caterpillar are more popular than Cummins are in Australia."

When you think about it groups are kinda plural. I'm all messed up now and use both styles. I end up sounding stupid in all three countries . . .

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Government of Australia

[colour=blue]only three?? 8)

 

[ricksrster]

Re: Government of Australia

It would be better if the other two countries would learn to speak Yankee.

 

[QC]

Re: Government of Australia

lol @ Aldo . . . :}