Driving out the Queen

Australia's Prime Minister, Paul Keating, has likened the monarchy to a horse and cart that should be traded in for something better, Reuter reports from Canberra.

Speaking on Saturday in the country town of Corowa, where Australia's constitution was developed 100 years ago, Mr Keating rejected the monarchist argument 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. He said: 'We didn't throw out the horse and cart because they were broke. We abandoned them. We affectionately and gracefully retired them.'