A question for Australian and Canadian readers...

[acd-75]

With all the talk in the news about Zimbabwe and the commonwealth...

When I used to live in Zim they didnt have the Queen of England (Lizzie Battenburg!) on the money but it was in the commonwealth, so therefore why does Canada and Australia have Lizzie on their notes/bills?

Surely if they are independant countries why would they have our Queen on the money?

Andy (Liverpool, UK)

[pacmania_2001]

I think it's just something of a tradition to have her face on our money. These days she's only on one side of our coins not our notes.

I personally think Australia should become a republic and ditch the monarchy and the stupid royal family.

[acd-75]

Thanks for that mate, I just looked on the RAM website it was interesting.

I agree with you too, I think Australia should ditch the Royals. Its a respectable nation that is quite capable of appointing its own elected leaders.

Another question for ya...

Why is the capital Canberra in the state of ACT not part of NSW? And why do we never hear much about Canberra, considering its the Capital all we ever hear about is Melbourne and Sydney?

Sorry, I got an inquizative mind, I think of the most bizare questions!

Thanks,

Andy

[pacmania_2001]

I believe they created the ACT and Canberra because the two states (Victoria and New South Wales) weren't able to reach agreement on who should have the capital of Australia thus they created a separate territory roughly halfway between the two state capitals (Melbourne and Sydney). I'm not sure if that is the exact reasoning behind the decision but that was the reason I was told and it kind of makes sense.

You'll never really hear much about Canberra (except for politics) because quite frankly there is very little happening there. Sydney and to a lesser extent Brisbane and Melbourne are the major east coast cities in Australia and are where quite a large part of the population lives so naturally there is a lot happening there thus more news comes from there.