Flagging Australia Day.

When the Governor-General's representative in London visited Oz in 1954, I was six years old. We stood waiting patiently in Mt Alexander Road, near Melbourne's Essendon Airport for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We had been given little British and Australian flags to greet her passing by. The Union Jack in both hands! The height-challenged amongst us also had periscopes similar to those used by the Anzac snipers at Gallipoli. Neither the flags or scopes were much use as the royal Roller flew by at speed.

In the good old days (god for short) it was generally un-Australian to indulge in excessive flag waving or ostentatious patriotism. It was a bit like disputing the umpire's decision or revealing family business to friends, much less strangers, or the media.

It was an era in which Australian Story and A Current Affair would have lacked the stream of volunteers ready to spill their guts or dob in their mates. someone who erected a flagpole on their front lawn wold have been shunned by the neighbours.

When god ruled, the Southern Cross in the guise of the Eureka flag, was associated with the dreaded Builders Labourers Federation or the local commies. Today it is becoming tainted with redneck, true blue Aussie jingoism : Our national flag has been highjacked by hillbillies Please excuse the mixed-colour metaphor.

In 1954 the only cars that wore the Australian flag belonged to Her Majesty's/Commonwealth of Australia car fleet. Today our local supermarket has the OZ flag on stubby holders. Is nothing sacred?

In the great flag debate, I favour some version of the aboriginal flag and the Southern Cross. Bound to upset lots of people.

Topically, India also has its National Day on 26 January. It is a republic with its own flag, as well as being a member of the Commonwealth of Nations aka the former British Empire. Its Independence Day is on 15 August. Indians celebrate the end of colonialism, as we commemorate the beginning.

More at my new website Red Bluff

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Monarchy Maps: Google a Royal Visit

With the current interest in Prince William's visit to the colonies, a look at the royal website is good for a laugh. The monarchy is supposed to stay relevant and modern. The Google Maps Past and future Royal visits in my area should be bookmarked by anyone visiting the mother country.

If you've been losing sleep about where the Countess of Wessex is expending the public purse today, she is at Rowcroft Barracks, Aborfield Garrison, Reading, Berkshire, presumably in her role as Colonel-in-Chief, The Corps of Army Music. If you're not sure who she is or how she fits into the Royal Household, join the club.

The British taxpayers spent approximately $A 70 million on Royal Public Finances in the 2007-8 financial year. Not sure how much royal visits to Oz and related matters cost Australian taxpayers. The map of engagements doesn't include areas Down Under. You have to visit the young Princes website. I'll let you google that yourself if you must.

For those interested in Australia's future republic, please visit the Australian Republican Movement

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Arise Lord Nelson

Living costs more important than republic: Nelson

Is Brendan Nelson angling for royal honours like every Liberal's hero and mascot Sir Robert Menzies, perhaps as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports? All the Liberal Party needs is another monarchist as leader. Maybe it's a way of achieving some product differentiation from Malcolm Turnbull.

Nelson hasn't quite mastered the Rudd salute yet either.

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Turnbull offside with Republican Movement

Malcolm Turnbull is no longer in favour with his old pro-Republic mates. In a press release on Wednesday 30 January, Mike Keating, the Chair of the Australian Republican Movement, criticised his comments that the republic is off the agenda until QE2 has departed:

This theory means we won’t debate the issue until we have King Charles of Australia. By that time the absurdity of our current constitutional arrangements will be even starker. No one doubts that Queen Elizabeth is a popular and admired figure but the republic is something Australians should determine on our terms.

Mr Turnbull is entitled to his opinion... but on this issue he is wrong.

Rather than putting the republic in the too-hard basket, Mr Turnbull should be taking the opportunity to forge consensus around the issue in the changed political environment. The Australian Republican Movement would be happy to assist him in this task...

It will be interesting to see if Malcolm will support any moves towards dumping the monarchy during the queen's lifetime. Perhaps he has learnt the lesson of alienating some of his party room colleagues after his stolen generation"sorry" statement before the leadership ballot. The recent Governor General debate has certainly awakened interest in the republic if online chatter is any indication.

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Mungo or Maggie for Governor General

Time to get a new GG apparently. Kevin Rudd has ruled out ex-politicians such as Kim Beazley. We have had enough judges, military and politicians. One bishop was one too many. Let's not have a sportsperson or an entertainer.

Perhaps a writer. Bob Ellis or Mungo MacCallum? A chef or cook such as Stephanie Alexander or Maggie Beer. Yet the job is a political one. Labor must choose someone who will not repeat the Kerr disaster of 1975.

No doubt Poll Bludger, Mumble, Possum and Jackman will have all the odds once the bookies get going. Your nominations can left here in Comments. First correct entry and most lateral nomination will receive a copy of "The Poll that Counts" DVD of election day around Canberra and in the tallyroom.

Meanwhile we have to start pushing the Republic again. More on this soon.

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