Old Bag Windsor must die before Australia will become a republic, says politician

[RB TexLa]

Queen Elizabeth must die or abdicate for Australian republic



By Michael Perry 1 hour, 1 minute ago

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Britain's Queen Elizabeth, Australia's head-of-state, must die or abdicate before Australia can become a republic, said one of the country's leading politicians and former head of the republican movement.

Malcolm Turnbull, now opposition treasury spokesman, said Australians would not vote for a republic while the country's monarch reigned.

The majority of Australians support their country becoming a republic, but a 1999 vote on a republic failed because Australians could not agree on the type of republic.

Turnbull said Queen Elizabeth's departure from the throne would be a "watershed event that would galvanize the population" into debating what type of head-of-state they wanted.

"I said at the time of the 1999 referendum that if we voted 'no' it would mean 'no' for a very long time," Turnbull told local media on Monday.

"My own judgment is that the next time when you would have your best prospects (of a republic) is at the end of the Queen's reign -- when she dies or when she abdicates," said Turnbull, former head of the Australian Republican Movement.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080128/wl_nm/australia_republic_dc_1

[davidinalameda]

1. Old Bag Windsor?

nice

[scarletwoman]

I was about to post the very same thing. (nt)

[truebrit71]

2. "Old bag Windsor"? What a truly classless thing to say...

I think you should edit your highly offensive op...

[Wiley50]

15. 'er Majesty's a really Fine Girl

'er Majesty's a really fine girl
but, she doesn't have a lot to say
'er Majesty's a really fine girl
but, she changes from day to day

Wanna tell her that I love her a lot
but, I've got, I got a belly full of wine
'er Majesty's a really fine girl
Someday I'm gonna make her mine
Oh Yeah
someday I'm gonna make her mine

[jkshaw]

3. Old bag?

How very dignified of you.

[RB TexLa]

4. It would be the most dignified reference I could use for her

[truebrit71]

5. Then kindly keep it yourself...

I have NOTHING dignified to say about you however...

[Dr.Phool]

6. I thought you were dead.

See the post above this in the discussion forums.

[originalpckelly]

7. "Old Bag Windsor...She don't plant tators..."

[Elidor]

10. She jes' keep rollin' along

:blush:

[originalpckelly]

11. I almost put "Old Man Windsor"

It's hard to tell sometimes.

[shance]

8. In truth how much has Queen Elizabeth or the other insanely wealthy royalty done for England

or Australia for that matter?

What they have done, is take and take more wealth and property, while so many others don't even have a decent roof over their head.

Its ludicrous.

[truebrit71]

9. Bollocks.

Complete and total bollocks...

[originalpckelly]

12. Now, you better leave me bowls alone! Don't be puttin' nun dem locks on 'em!

[Captain Hilts]

13. I'd rather she were president than GWB. Hang tough, Lilibet! nt

[El Pinko]

14. I really have little reverence for the position of queen...

...and really think that monarchies are antiquated institutions that should be abolished ASAP, with the prroceeds of the sale of all their property being refunded to the taxpayers.

That being said, as royal figureheads go, Elizabeth has executed her duties well, and clearly takes them seriously. I don't think she deserves the disrespect. The institution of royalty itself belongs in the trash bin, but Elizabeth did not ask to be born into it, she simply was, and has done a remarkable job traversing the period from WW2 until the present, when the role and public perception of the royal family has changed so dramatically.

You want an old bag?

[tuckessee]

16. kick