This is a minor quibble. Australia has a parliamentary system, meaning that the head of state is a distinct role of government from the head of government. In Australia, the head of state is the Queen (currently Queen Elizabeth II).

The article was about the potential next head of government, the prime minister.

I realize that the term "Head of State" in everyday usage means president and/or prime minister, i.e. person in charge.

Still, when I read the headline, I initially thought that Elizabeth had been spotted in a topless bar. No, that couldn't be right, it must've be Charles.

Reading further, I was thoroughly unsurprised to discover that some member of of the the Australian parliament had been found--what?--drinking in a topless bar. Tell me something I don't know, like Australia has millions of sheep or something.

HarrisonOtis:

Still, when I read the headline, I initially thought that Elizabeth had been spotted in a topless bar. No, that couldn't be right, it must've be Charles.

Reading further, I was thoroughly unsurprised to discover that some member of of the the Australian parliament had been found--what?--drinking in a topless bar. Tell me something I don't know, like Australia has millions of sheep or something.

Being from Canada, my initial thought process somewhat resembled yours -- though since the subhead mentions the New York Post, I thought (a) the story must be about Rudy Giuliani, and (b) waitaminute... Jack Shafer thinks Giuliani will be the next President? Oy vey.

And no doubt it's a classic example of "be careful what you wish for," but I could (almost) wish that one or two of our MPs had enough imagination, or colour, or something to frequent topless bars. Mostly they exemplify all the wearisome, but not completely inaccurate, stereotypes about Canadians.

Bob Beck:

...waitaminute... Jack Shafer thinks Giuliani will be the next President? Oy vey.

"Oy vey", I hasten to add, meaning "damn, I hope he's wrong," rather than "damn, what can he be thinking?"