New federal ministers were sworn in at Government House on 3 February 2013. Although they all swear allegiance to the Crown as MP's each time they are elected, this requirement has been removed when ministers are appointed.
This is yet another form of creeping republicanism.
Why can’t republicans behave properly? Despite a massive media campaign, and the support of two thirds of the politicians, the people rejected the politicians’ republic (the one the republicans designed at taxpayers' expense) in the 1999 landslide.
We make no criticism of the Governor-General who, like her predecessor, must in these matters act on the advice of the Prime Minister.
By the way, republicans should not repeat the canard that John Howard fixed the question. It was approved by both Houses, two thirds of which were republicans.