The topic of an Australian republic has been hotly debated over for many years. Although there was talk, even in the late 1900s, of Australia becoming a republic, the main push for republicanism has come in the twentieth century.
After colonisation, and the first taste of responsible government, in the 18th and 19th century, Australia began its journey towards republicanism - or, at least, the idea of it - when Federation was celebrated in 1901; Australia began to focus on 'Australianising' political institutions.
From the 1930s, Australia took full responsibility for its defence and foreign affairs. This gave Australia more freedom, but also served to distance Australia even more from the 'Mother country'; without the need to rely upon Britain for our military and alliance decisions, Australians became more adapted to the idea of Australia as a republic.
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