The Returned and Services League of Australia Limited (RSL) has been found to be discriminating against republicans
by refusing membership to applicants who will not swear allegiance to Liz Windsor, Britain’s hereditary head of state. The Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Tribunal found that Donald Buchanan, who had been refused membership of the veterans’ league, had been discriminated against because of his political opinions.
The tribunal has yet to make an order on the case but Australian republicans believe that it will lead to veterans pledging their allegiance to Australia rather than queen Windsor. Republicans elsewhere hope it may be the first step towards ending discrimination against fellow thinkers in other countries that have Windsor as head of state.