The monarchy stops politicians exercising total power and authority

David Flint’s measured words were a salve to the chatter from those who feel that our ties to Britain are something to be dismissed or ashamed of (“Royal rift no reason to revive tired republic debate”, 13/1).

Our constitutional state of affairs is a bulwark in times of political upheaval and social precariousness. The crown keeps total power and authority from being exercised in an absolute sense by politicians.

On an emotional level, the Australian Republican Movement is being a civil grinch in trying to install a democratic dampener on the exuberance the growing House of Windsor provides for many people.

Regardless of whether we find the monarchy endearing or not, it has, by and large, brought about a remarkable and unique form of governmental and social stability, importantly keeping us connected to our historic, Christian roots.

The monarchy will always be bigger than the man and our existing system of rule will ensure that the people of this great southern land can navigate their own journey on the building blocks that gave rise to this most enviable place.

Peter Waterhouse, Craigieburn, Vic

Prince Harry has shifted his allegiance from his grandmother the Queen to his wife Meghan, just as his mother Diana shifted her allegiance from her husband Prince Charles to the people.

When Paul Keating in 1994 changed the oath of allegiance to the British monarch to a pledge of commitment to the Australian people, he freed us from the legal compulsion to pledge our allegiance to the British monarch.

The oath of allegiance has become a thing of the past, just as the British royal family has. Keating was paving the way for an Australian, representing we the people, to be head of state to replace the British monarch in the loyalties of the Australian people. It’s now time to change the Constitution to recognise that reality.

Brian Sanaghan, West Preston, Vic

Fluency essential

I refer to the reported legal action by Murdoch University against an academic who claimed Indian students with poor English were being set up for failure (“Uni cuts ties with Indian agency”, 13/1).

My grandson is studying at a Melbourne university and on one occasion he found himself the only non-Asian student present at a lecture, The lecture was delivered in Mandarin because many students had such a poor grasp of the English language.

Universities behaving in this manner are failing in their duty to those students who are allowed to graduate, and prospective employers who are entitled to expect that any person holding a degree from an Australian university will be fluent in English.

One perfectly acceptable solution would be to require all students to pass an appropriate test in English before admission and to offer a pre-entry course in English to those who fail. This should apply equally to both Australian and overseas students.

Reg Maxwell, Mt Clear, Vic

Support for Taiwan

It is ironic that two Chinese communities should be the guardians of democracy and liberty while the rest of the world is in retreat from those pillars of civilisation (“Taiwan’s message to the world”, 13/1). In the West, populism and authoritarianism fuelled by identity politics and uncaring political and business elites are unravelling the international rules-based order, phenomena that are exploited by China, Russia and their authoritarian cronies.

To become a true emperor, and not just a wannabe bandit, Xi Jinping will only have the mandate of heaven if he reunites the celestial empire. I hope we have the guts to support Taiwan and the people of Hong Kong to stop him becoming emperor.

Jim Wilson, Beaumont, SA