REPUBLICANS will be on the back foot a bit over the next week or so.

The visit by the Queen and Prince Philip has raised the issue again.

Even the most high profile Aussie republican, Malcolm Turnbull, has welcomed the royal visit to Australia.

He may be somewhat overstating the case when he said that all Australians, whether they were republicans are not, welcomed the Queen's visit.

There is little doubt the affection people on the Darling Downs hold for the royal family.

The massive response to Prince William and Kate's visit is evidence of that.

But these royal visits have to be paid for.

What real purpose will this visit achieve?

Could the tremendous cost of this trip be put to better use somewhere else?

I suspect any charitable group in the nation would welcome and use wisely the money that will be spent on this royal holiday.