That doesn't answer my question (why am I not surprised???); sovereign nations often choose to act in concert with other sovereign nations. Australia and New Zealand are free to leave the Commonwealth if they so wish, just as France was free to leave NATO. Again; in what way are they not 'fully independent'? Oh, and by the way, things have changed considerably since Gough Whitlam's day. Please try to stay up to date with the affairs of your own country.