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Australian PM marks Queen accession
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
The Queen and Julia Gillard during the opening ceremony of the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, in Perth
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Australian prime minister Julia Gillard has congratulated the Queen on her 60 years on the throne.
She said any future move to make Australia a republic would not mean unhappiness with the monarch herself.
Ms Gillard told Parliament that Australia's society and economy had evolved during Elizabeth's reign as Queen of the country.
Ms Gillard said: "If Australia ever chooses a different constitutional path, it will not be for any deficiency on behalf of" the Queen or her predecessors.
A referendum to install an Australian head of state to replace the monarch was defeated in 1999.
Ms Gillard has ruled out holding a second referendum during Elizabeth's reign.
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