Australia does not need queen
As an Australian visiting Hong Kong I was interested to read in your publication of Australia's republic referendum, to be held this Saturday - and which is a turning point for the nation.
I was surprised to read Mr Poole's letter (South China Morning Post, November 1) which suggested that 70 per cent of Australians are of UK descent and therefore should retain the queen of England (and monarchy) as their head of state.
Australians of Irish and Scottish descent - along with the Italians, Greeks, Vietnamese, Chinese, and others who make up this multi-cultural nation - may not be so pleased with such an idea. (I am myself a fifth generation Australian with English ancestors.) Regardless, Australians now think of themselves as Australian, part of the Asia-Pacific region and with our own artists, musicians and writers.
In reality, the English monarch cannot be our head of state as well, for example, she cannot open the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games because, foremost, she represents another country.
What nation would persist with its head of state as an un-naturalised citizen who lives on the other side of the globe? PROFESSOR NORMAN DAY Melbourne, Australia
