SYDNEY: Australia's republican movement has long argued it is a matter of when, not if, the royals will be ditched, but on the eve of Queen Elizabeth II's latest visit enthusiasm for severing ties is ebbing.
The former British penal colony voted against becoming a republic in a 1999 referendum and republicanism has seen its fortunes decline since.
As the queen prepares to make her 16th trip Down Under this week, few are expecting any protests on what could be her farewell tour of the country.
National chairman of the Australian Monarchists League Philip Benwell said people had great respect for the queen regardless of their political opinions.
"You have (previously) had the one protester with a poster or a banner but it's not widespread, there are no real organised protests against the queen," he said.
"I think if republicans start talking about a republic they would be shot down. The general public have moved on," he added.
Opinion polls had consistently shown about 60 percent favoured a republic, but ahead of the wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton in April, support fell to a 17-year low.
A Newspoll survey that month -- the most recent on the issue -- found almost as many Australians wanted to retain royal ties as backed a republic, with only 41 percent wanting to sever links, the lowest level since March 1994.
A mere 25 percent of the 1,201 people polled said they were "strongly" in favour of a republic.
William's late mother, Diana, was much loved in Australia and her son's popularity has been a welcome shot in the arm for the royalist movement, which has reported a surge in young members.
Despite the shift, Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her ruling Labor party insist the ultimate goal is for Australia to become a republic.
Gillard favours the move after the queen's reign ends, but Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd says the government has folded the issue away for the time being.
"This (republic issue) falls somewhat down, shall I say, the totem pole of priorities," he said on a visit to London earlier this year.
"There is a deep affection in Australia for the queen and I mean, the queen has been the queen ever since I was born," said Rudd, the country's former leader.
"She is part of the firmament of Australia's national life. There is a deep respect for her role. But the country is evolving."
Mike Keating, chairman of the Australian Republican Movement, said having the queen as Australia's head of state was antiquated but acknowledged the situation was not likely to change any time soon.
"Obviously at the moment the government is focused on bigger issues and not on a republic," he said, adding that he did not expect any protests during the visit.
"I think people will be interested in the queen's trip," he said.
"Hopefully while she is here people will pause to consider that we have absolutely no say in who our head of state is and ask themselves whether a constitutional monarchy is appropriate for Australia in 2011."
The 85-year-old queen, who first visited Australia in 1954, begins a 10-day tour on Wednesday that takes in Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
She will be accompanied by Prince Philip, 90, and the couple will cruise the Brisbane River, ride a Melbourne tram, visit a flower show in Canberra and taste a Perth barbecue, among other engagements.
Australia became independent from Britain in 1901.
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