The engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton is a rare and wonderful opportunity to celebrate the monarchy, a federal Liberal MP says.
Rather than an opportunity for renewed debate on an Australian republic the engagement was time for a party, Stuart Robert said.
"I think we should absolutely and utterly embrace the current tradition," he told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.
"I think it's tremendous we're actually seeing the next generation of monarchs actually go to the altar."
Nationals MP Darren Chester was a little more circumspect, saying he had yet to consider the best gift Australia could send the royal couple.
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"You'll be very surprised to hear that I haven't given it a great deal of thought," he said.
Australian Greens leader Bob Brown says he "feels good" about the news.
"And I wish them well," he told reporters.
He noted the couple were being described as the "British royals".
"You've just got to listen to the news, it's all British, there's nothing Australian about it," he said.
The engagement would likely spark fresh debate on whether Australia should become a republic, Senator Brown said.
"But that's going to see no less a welcome for Prince William and Kate when they come to Australia or interest in the royal wedding."
