A few months ago, there were speculations about Australia potentially becoming a republic in the event of the inevitable, and hopefully distant, passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

But recently, news reports are saying that the Labor Party is reviving its campaign to have Australia declare independence from the Commonwealth and turn the country into a republic.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has consistently voiced support for secession from the United Kingdom, arguing that doing so is 'inevitable' because the two countries' relationship 'is no longer what it was' at the dawn of the Queen's reign.

Matt Thistlethwaite, the Prime Minister's new Assistant Minister for the Republic, has stated that the federal government will start exploring the best approach to deal with the subject, with the goal of implementing the reform in the next term or two.

'The priority is the Voice to Parliament, but we're hoping 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.'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has supported separating from the UK, calling it 'inevitable'. Credit: AAP Image.​

Australia had a referendum on whether or not to become a republic 23 years ago, and by a slim 54.87 to 45.13 margin, the country decided to stay a part of the Commonwealth.

Recent polls, however, show that the numbers have turned around, with 56% of New South Wales citizens now favouring independence for Australia, followed by 54% in Queensland and 52% in Victoria.

On the Queen's platinum jubilee, Mr Albanese said that the relationship between the two countries had changed a lot since Australia joined the Commonwealth in 1901 and that the country no longer needed a constitutional link to the UK.

'No longer parent and young upstart, we stand as equals. More importantly, we stand as friends,' said the Prime Minister during a press conference.

In 1999, Mr Albanese addressed the Republic Referendum Committee and remarked that this was a decision that Australians could stand behind with their heads held high.

'I urge people to support the republic and to support it now because it is inevitable. Everyone accepts that. We should do it now so that we can do it with pride.'

The Labor government is planning to break away from Queen Elizabeth II and the Commonwealth. Credit: Getty Images.​

Mr Thistlethwaite is the government's Assistant Minister for Defense and Assistant Minister for Veterans Affairs, and he was recently assigned the republic portfolio.

He will be responsible for teaching the public about the advantages of leaving the Commonwealth, and the movement will be 'ready to go in the second term of an Albanese government'.

'We've got our own unique identity, our own values,' he said.

When asked what the biggest problems might be for a republic country, Mr Thistlethwaite said that people might not want to change the way things are.

'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.

'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 argued that being a republic isn't about altering flags, anthems, or public holidays; rather, it's about empowering Australia and the Australian people to make their own decisions.

So, what do you say, folks? This discussion has been put on the back burner for a while now, and it’s clear the government thinks it’s high time that it is brought back to the forefront.

Upon the end of the reign of Her Majesty, do you think Australia should become a republic? Or should the government stay in the Commonwealth?

Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

 

[elphy]

How would we select a leader? At this polint in time we do not seem to have anyone suitable. We cannot be like USA for goodness sake.

That is only the beginning. Our current form of government serves us very well. We ae protected from dictators and the like.
Just look at Victoria to see how easily this could happen Desperate Dan has tried hard to dictate to us.

You are right, Our system serves us very well. Just look around at some of the alternatives. They lack our stability and always will!

 

[Julia TH]

I believe now that the Queens reign is coming to an end Australia will leave the commonwealth.

I also believe alot of other Countries will follow .

Im sure Australia actual pays the UK government to be a part of the Commonwealth.

It will be interesting to see if the Royal family remain after Charles becomes King.

The Royal family cost the government a fortune and what do they actually do apart from waving and visiting hospitals ect .

I know they get paid for working but what do the exactly do or should that money be used else where eg hospitals and feeding the less fortunate

You obviously don't know how it works. The government (and we're talking about the Australian government here( doesn't pay a fortune for the royals. The queen pays taxes, Charles derives an income from his estate, Highgrove, which is actually a working farm. He also has a range of sustainable product sold worldwide under the Duchy Originals label. His Prince's Trust has enabled thousands of young people to better their lives through education and employment. He is not just a figurehead, the whole scheme was his idea and he has worked hard with it for many years. They protect and preserve state treasures and buildings for future generations and they bring so much money in tourism into the country that it negates any complaints as to why they are paid.
Charles has already said that he will be weeding out members of the family who are not pulling their weight or are not major members so there will be far less if them in positions of note.
Also, think what it will actually cost Australia financially to remove the word Royal from official stationery, organisations, departments etc. Show me a republic which actually works effectively. Do we really want a president? What would it do to our tiered system of government? I think we'd be mad and far worse off without that connection.

 

[elphy]

You obviously don't know how it works. The government (and we're talking about the Australian government here( doesn't pay a fortune for the royals. The queen pays taxes, Charles derives an income from his estate, Highgrove, which is actually a working farm. He also has a range of sustainable product sold worldwide under the Duchy Originals label. His Prince's Trust has enabled thousands of young people to better their lives through education and employment. He is not just a figurehead, the whole scheme was his idea and he has worked hard with it for many years. They protect and preserve state treasures and buildings for future generations and they bring so much money in tourism into the country that it negates any complaints as to why they are paid.
Charles has already said that he will be weeding out members of the family who are not pulling their weight or are not major members so there will be far less if them in positions of note.
Also, think what it will actually cost Australia financially to remove the word Royal from official stationery, organisations, departments etc. Show me a republic which actually works effectively. Do we really want a president? What would it do to our tiered system of government? I think we'd be mad and far worse off without that connection.

You are so right, Julia, Stability such as Australia's, is the envy of the world. We need a President like we need a hole in the head! Think of the jostling and the fighting, to say nothing of the cost!. Our quietly appointed Governors General have served us well, giving noted Australians a wonderful chance of special recognition without the indignity of 'buying' into the position as do international presidents. Long live the monarchy and long live the Commonwealth!

 

[Suzanne rose]

Unfortunately in that regard Suzanne, the way the monarchy works won’t allow that to happen. The only way it could happen that way is if Charles himself abdicates. He cannot be removed. In fairnss to him, he’s waited a long time to take up his birth right. I’d rather, as I guess a lot of others do too, that William becomes the king, but normally it won’t happen until Charles dies, or andicates. Sorry to bring you bad news!

Charles should abdicate, William has so many more years to give than Charles and alot of people still have not got over what happened with Dianna. William would be the peoples King and I think the royals know that.
To keep the Royal family going they need to make William King

 

[Defiant540]

The Queen of England was removed some years back and a "PAPER QUEEN" was created and we have become a "CORPORATION".... Every government both state and federal and Territory are a 'FOREIGN" registered CORPORATION and with and Australian ABN this also includes the police in each STATE... ALL the LAWS have been changed to protect the politicians not the people as we are considered NOTHING BUT CHATTEL..... and we each have a $ value given at Birth.... This is the reason ones name is in all CAPITAL LETTERS when dealing with any government department

huh?

 

[Suzanne rose]

huh?

 

[dabemu5570]

I can't see ANY advantage in scrapping the monarchy. no one can tell me why, they don't cost anything' what do we replace the king with?A PRESIDENT?? wow how much will that cost us ,think about it a president, private plane, residence,and staff vehicles security overseas jaunts with an entourage etc ....the mind boggles we need a million things more urgently than an expensive president. Can anyone tell me any plusses in having a president, bearing in mind Australia has a population 15%of U.S.and we are 10%bigger and our waste land is half the size of US wasteland (desserts etc) if it aint broke don't fix it

 

[dabemu5570]

The Royals make the United Kingdom a fortune by their mere existence. Thousands of tourists everyday flock to Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard. The tourists travel the length and breadth of the UK seeing the Castles, Palaces and Battlefields. Without the Royal Family in the UK, the tourism industry would collapse as there is nothing to attract tourists except the living royal heritage. Apart from that I am not aware of any country under the Westminster system of Government that has suffered internal Civil War. Whenever a Republic has been declared - open civil unrest, conflict and even Civil War has ensued. It will occur in Australia.

 

[dabemu5570]

A few months ago, there were speculations about Australia potentially becoming a republic in the event of the inevitable, and hopefully distant, passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

But recently, news reports are saying that the Labor Party is reviving its campaign to have Australia declare independence from the Commonwealth and turn the country into a republic.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has consistently voiced support for secession from the United Kingdom, arguing that doing so is 'inevitable' because the two countries' relationship 'is no longer what it was' at the dawn of the Queen's reign.

Matt Thistlethwaite, the Prime Minister's new Assistant Minister for the Republic, has stated that the federal government will start exploring the best approach to deal with the subject, with the goal of implementing the reform in the next term or two.

'The priority is the Voice to Parliament, but we're hoping 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.'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has supported separating from the UK, calling it 'inevitable'. Credit: AAP Image.​

Australia had a referendum on whether or not to become a republic 23 years ago, and by a slim 54.87 to 45.13 margin, the country decided to stay a part of the Commonwealth.

Recent polls, however, show that the numbers have turned around, with 56% of New South Wales citizens now favouring independence for Australia, followed by 54% in Queensland and 52% in Victoria.

On the Queen's platinum jubilee, Mr Albanese said that the relationship between the two countries had changed a lot since Australia joined the Commonwealth in 1901 and that the country no longer needed a constitutional link to the UK.

'No longer parent and young upstart, we stand as equals. More importantly, we stand as friends,' said the Prime Minister during a press conference.

In 1999, Mr Albanese addressed the Republic Referendum Committee and remarked that this was a decision that Australians could stand behind with their heads held high.

'I urge people to support the republic and to support it now because it is inevitable. Everyone accepts that. We should do it now so that we can do it with pride.'

The Labor government is planning to break away from Queen Elizabeth II and the Commonwealth. Credit: Getty Images.​

Mr Thistlethwaite is the government's Assistant Minister for Defense and Assistant Minister for Veterans Affairs, and he was recently assigned the republic portfolio.

He will be responsible for teaching the public about the advantages of leaving the Commonwealth, and the movement will be 'ready to go in the second term of an Albanese government'.

'We've got our own unique identity, our own values,' he said.

When asked what the biggest problems might be for a republic country, Mr Thistlethwaite said that people might not want to change the way things are.

'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.

'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 argued that being a republic isn't about altering flags, anthems, or public holidays; rather, it's about empowering Australia and the Australian people to make their own decisions.

So, what do you say, folks? This discussion has been put on the back burner for a while now, and it’s clear the government thinks it’s high time that it is brought back to the forefront.

Upon the end of the reign of Her Majesty, do you think Australia should become a republic? Or should the government stay in the Commonwealth?

Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

How would we select a leader? At this polint in time we do not seem to have anyone suitable. We cannot be like USA for goodness sake.

That is only the beginning. Our current form of government serves us very well. We ae protected from dictators and the like.
Just look at Victoria to see how easily this could happen Desperate Dan has tried hard to dictate to us.

nothing is the same as1901 including politicians and prime ministers, the constitutional links the crown to protects us from wayward politicians (our watchdog) kinda like a referee.Australian people r already empowered to make our own decisions, England has NO say in our politics and no input also the royal family costs Australia zero, also everyone does NOT accept that it is inevitable.The Australian people are ALREADY EMPOWERED to make their decisions, The people have spoken twice now ,but you don't want to take notice of us..hows that attitude going to fair under a republic? will you only accept the result of referendums if they go your way?...sounds like a dictator to me....listen to the people,thats the kinda country Australia is...lets keep it that way