A letter to the Daily Telegraph which was published on 19th March 1993.

It is something of a relief that senior ministers in the present Government are sufficiently concerned about moves to make Australia a republic to advise the Prince of Wales to make more visits there (report, March 16th).

They ought, however, to reflect that nothing has damaged Australia’s ties with the Crown more than the passport arrangements at Heathrow and other entry points to the country.  For Australian and other Commonwealth citizens to be lumped in a queue with foreigners who have no ties with this country, while ex-enemies from the EC are passed through in the fast lane is an experience undermining any common loyalty to the Crown.

It is as hurtful to Australians as the phrase “European Community National” is to us at those same airports and seaports, which has been instituted without so much as a debate in Parliament or the passage of any law.