Queen Mother Rejection For Oz Stamps Angers

Australia Post is in hot water because it is refusing to produce a special stamp to commemorate the 100th birthday of the Queen Mother. Other countries, including New Zealand, are producing special stamps. John Howard reports.

Monarchy 2000, ecstatic over the success of the recent Royal Tour to Australia, say it will be to Australia's ever-lasting shame if republican sentiments within Australia Post are allowed to hinder a tribute to one of the 20th Century's most outstanding women.

The monarchist organisation has placed a petition form on a website for the public worldwide to download in support of its protest against Australia Post. It is at;

http://www.monarchist.org.au/petition_qm.htm

Meanwhile, National chairman of the Monarchist League, Philip Benwell, says the tremendous success of the 2000 Royal Tour leaves two issues to be resolved if Australia is to continue without further divisiveness over the defeated proposals for a republic.

" The first is the persistence of mainstream media in refusing to accept the defeat of the republic on 6 November last, distorting the facts, showing bias and prejudice and even lying to the public to promote their views," Mr Benwell said.

"The second issue relates to politicians who are so far removed from the wishes of the electorate, that to the disgrace of Australia and to the voting public, they have used opportunities provided to them during the visit of the The Queen, the Head of Australia, to further promote a republican agenda," he said

Mr Benwell said, "In May, Monarchy 2000 will be hosting a nationwide public debate to consider these matters. The forum will include people with legislative and legal experience to guide the discussions and deliberations."

" These issues go beyond the Monarchy versus a Republic, they are matters of common decency, respect and credibility," he said.

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