Albanese pushes for Australia to 'ditch' the Queen and become a republic: 'It is inevitable'
- Replies 28
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!
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!