Post by ppyenews on Jun 9, 2006 23:26:02 GMT -5
Call to replace Queen's birthday holiday
Tasmanian Senator Guy Barnett wants a public debate about replacing the Queen's Birthday holiday with a more Australian celebration.
Senator Barnett says even the British do not have a public holiday to celebrate the Queen's birthday.
"Here in Australia I think we should scrap it and replace it with a more Australian-oriented holiday," he said.
The Senator says Australians should still get a day off work, but he wants to replace the celebrations.
He also says celebrating the Queen's Birthday on June 12 makes no sense.
"Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21," he said.
Senator Barnett, who is a Republican, says awards presented on the Queen's Birthday should instead be given out on Anzac Day, and a new holiday is a way for Australia to develop a sense of nationhood.
"It in no way reflects on the monarchy or the republican debate," he said.
"What it does reflect is the importance of 'Australianising' institutions and holidays such as the Queen's Birthday holiday here in Australia to make it more relevant to modern day Australia in the 20th century," he said.
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Interesting but I wonder what the Queen would think?