Today, November 6, marks the twenty-first anniversary of the 1999 republic referendum.

Two decades on, republican lobbyists are on the rebound, arguing that ‘it’s time’ and devising fresh attempts to ‘ditch the monarchy’. Since 1999, they claim, four million new voters on the electoral roll are not only budding republicans but eager to exchange an Australian president for an ‘out of touch’ Governor-General.

Indeed, on face value, the currents may appear to be turning as republicans ‘gear up’ for another round.

But what, really, has changed since 1999? 

Here are some brief observations.

The centennial urgency of the ‘republican moment’ has clearly passed – it’s less important, for...