A renewed push from Labor powerbrokers for Australia to become a republic could see the end of the country’s 120-year association with the Commonwealth.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been a steadfast supporter of breaking off from the United Kingdom, saying the move was ‘inevitable’ and the relationship ‘is no longer what it was at the dawn of [Queen Elizabeth II‘s] reign’.
The prime minister’s new Assistant Minister for the Republic, Matt Thistlethwaite, said the federal government are looking to hold positive conversations about the issue and push it through during potential second and third terms.
‘The priority is the Voice to Parliament, but we’re hopeful to achieve that in the first term,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘The next logical step is to become a republic. As the Queen approaches the twilight of her reign, we think it’s time to bring it forward.’
The Labor government are ramping up plans to break off from Queen Elizabeth II and the Commonwealth to make Australia a republic
Australia last held a referendum over the republic 23 years ago, with a narrow 54.87 to 45.13 majority voting ‘no’ and to remain part of the Commonwealth.
However, recent polls suggest that figure has flipped, with 56 per cent of New South Wales residents wanting Australia to break away, with 54 per cent and 52 per cent supporting the cause in Queensland and Victoria, respectively.
On the Queen’s platinum jubilee, Mr Albanese said the relationship between the two countries had changed drastically from its inception in 1901, and Australia was ready to become its own entity.
‘No longer parent and young upstart, we stand as equals. More importantly, we stand as friends,’ he said during a press conference.
Mr Albanese, who spoke to the Republic Referendum Committee in 1999, said it was an issue Australians could follow with ‘pride’.
‘I urge people to support the republic and to support it now because it is inevitable. Everyone accepts that,’ he said at the time.
‘We should do it now, so we can do it with pride.’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been a steadfast supporter of breaking off from the United Kingdom, saying the move was ‘inevitable’
Mr Thistlethwaite is the government’s assistant Minister for Defence and Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, and was recently given therepublic portfolio.
He will be in charge of educating the public on the benefits of kicking the Commonwealth, and said the movement would be ‘ready to go in a second term of an Albanese government’.
‘We’ve got our own unique identity, our own values,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
When asked about the biggest challenges facing the republican cause, Mr Thistlethwaite said it was ‘reluctance to change’ the status quo.
‘There’s no doubt there’s an affinity for the Queen and Royal Family, but the Queen herself has said it’s a decision for our people, and she’s right,’ he added.
Matt Thistlethwaite said the Labor government are looking to hold positive conversations about the issue and look to push it through during potential second and third terms
‘They’ll still come here and be on the front covers of our magazines. Barbados became a republic last year, and the Royal Family flew over for the handover ceremony.
‘We can do it by showing respect and reverence for the Queen, our system is built on theirs. We can maintain those ideals in our own way.’
The Labor MP said becoming a republic ‘is not about changing flags, anthems or public holidays’ but instead having the ability to decide Australia’s own path.