Quentin Bryce must work to derail the republican movement

Our connection with Britain is of no value.

It is of value if history means anything.

“When I arrived in Sydney, I felt proud to be an Englishman. We have achieved more in decades here than what those who colonised South America have achieved in as many centuries.” (Charles Darwin in 1836.)

We inherited Britain’s systems of government and law and some sports which have become crucial to our culture. Above all, we inherited a language which allows us to enjoy in its original state much of the best literature ever written, the vast majority of the best songs ever composed and the world language for science and commerce for the 21st century.

By our volunteering to have the head of state of another country to be our own, we are an example to a world of intrigue that genuine fraternities are possible.

Quentin Bryce can seriously set the republicans’ program back

William Deane stepped out of his box and projected a public profile on issues which the public at large warmed to. Michael Jeffrey has not done this, and has slipped back to the situation where the Governor-General was as unknown at the end of his term as he was at the beginning.

We need a Governor-General with a high profile - which can be achieved by having a more productive relationship between the Governor-General and the people.

While publicly appearing to be sitting on the fence, Bryce has a responsibility to quietly secure the future of the status quo. She took on that responsibility when she accepted the vice-regal position.

Bryce can secure the future of the vice-regal position by greatly expanding on its connection to the public, which William Dean initiated. She can give us what we urgently need - someone at the top who we can respect and who is above our self-serving parliamentarians.

As the Governor-General Quentin Bryce needs to actively use her position to help people understand that nothing can be gained by becoming a republic, while something can be lost.