Australia's constitutional convention closed Friday, forwarding a republic to the people for a 1999 referendum. As a republic, Australia would no longer recognize England's monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II, as the head of state. Most nations of the former empire are members of the British Commonwealth, and the queen is still head of state in many Commonwealth countries. Australia, like Canada and New Zealand, is a constitutional monarchy. The queen is sovereign, and local governments technically rule in her name.
Real power is in the hands of national parliaments and local prime ministers.
But the queen still appoints a colonial governor-general who must sign all new laws. Britain's Union Jack adorns the Aussie flag, and the queen's face appears on currency and postage stamps. England gave up the last remnants of direct rule in 1901, and an increasing number of Australians bristle at the royal visage on their currency. They would like to see a kangaroo instead. If the Australian people accept the proposed republic, Elizabeth's face will be off dollar bills before the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.