The Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says he believes it's inevitable that the country will eventually become a republic. From Sydney FM

Australia seems to be heading inexorably towards becoming a republic. The Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said it wasn't a question of "if " but when the fundamental changes would be made. The Labour government is committed to severing Australian constitutional ties to the British monarchy. The issue has been a dominant theme at an idea summit in Canberra. A thousand of Australia brightest business leaders, academics, actors, politicians and scientists have been brought together to discuss the country's future. Replacing Queen Elizabeth II with an Australian head of state has been one of the most popular suggestions.