British Royal News says the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II has reignited a simmering republican debate in Australia, where the United Kingdom’s monarch is head of state, with Anthony Albanese’s government planning to put the issue to a vote. Here’s what you need to know.
Already committed to a referendum for a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous ‘Voice to Parliament‘, the government plans to hold a similar vote to test Australians’ appetite for a republic.
Australia Plans To Hold A Referendum On The Monarchy Following Queen Elizabeth’s Death
Assistant Minister for the Republic of Australia, Matt Thistlethwaite, told Al Jazeera that while “the priority for this government is the Voice to Parliament, the next natural progression for Australia is look to have one of our own as a head of state and we’d seek to do that in a second term if we are successful with the Voice in the first term.”
“Australians have always been willing to look to ways to improve our system of government and improve our country and our nation,” he said. “This is an opportunity for us to build a new system, to select our head of state, and at the same time, improve the rights of citizens in the choices that we have but also strengthen the democracy we have.”
With an Indigenous history stretching back more than 60 000 years, the continent now known as Australia was colonized in 1788 and, while politically independent, has remained part of the British monarchy. Under the current system, the monarch is represented in Australia by the governor-general, who plays a largely ceremonial role.
However, the position retains constitutional and statutory powers, like swearing in ministers and acting as the commander-in-chief of Australia’s Defence Forces. They also have the power to dissolve parliament and sack the prime minister, most controversially done in 1975 when Gough Whitlam was removed.
The death of Queen Elizabeth in September came four months after Labor, long supporters of the republican movement, were elected to power in Canberra. “The queen’s passing provides us now with an opportunity to discuss what comes next for Australia,” Thistlethwaite said.
“Australia is now a mature and independent nation. We make our own decisions about how we govern ourselves, our economic relationship is predominantly linked to the Asia-Pacific region, our security relationship is based on the ANZUS alliance. We are not British anymore.”
The queen reigned for 70 years and was a constant presence for Australians, most of whom were born while she was on the throne.
But her death has sparked debate about the future of the monarchy in Australian public and political life – there has even been a backlash against King Charles III automatically replacing the queen on Australia’s five-dollar bank notes. Australians have supported replacing her portrait with a variety of Australian people and animals, with support for prominent Indigenous Australians such as recently deceased Indigenous actor Jack Charles.
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