Australia changes its national tune

The Australian government has decided that Australia should have its own national anthem, for the first time in its history. The anthem - ''Advance Australia Fair'' - replaces ''God Save the Queen,'' the British anthem.

In deciding to make ''Advance Australia Fair'' the national anthem, the Labor government has decided to alter its wording to remove sexist and colonial language, and to delete references to Australia standing under the protection of Britannia, and to Britannia ruling the waves.

The government is considering changes to the Australian flag as well, which at present contains the Union Jack, the Southern Cross, and a ''federation'' star representing the states and territories.