Monarchist groups criticise premiers for absent reception during royal visit
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In what some call a significant breach of protocol and others see as a sign of changing times, Australia's state premiers have opted out of the welcome reception for King Charles and Queen Camilla in Canberra.
The decision has sparked a debate about the monarchy's relevance in modern Australia and the priorities of its elected officials.
King Charles and Queen Camilla's arrival in Australia was meant to be a momentous occasion.
It marked the King's 17th visit to the country but his first as the reigning monarch.
The royal couple's six-day itinerary includes stops in Canberra and Sydney from October 18 to 23.
However, the absence of state premiers at the welcome reception has raised eyebrows and elicited strong reactions from various quarters.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and NSW Premier Chris Minns cited cabinet meetings as their inability to attend, while Queensland Premier Steven Miles is focused on his re-election campaign.
Other premiers, such as Jeremy Rockliff of Tasmania and Peter Malinauskas of South Australia, have also indicated they are otherwise occupied, with Western Australia’s Premier Roger Cook's spokesperson mentioning 'other commitments.'
Monarchist groups and opposition politicians have criticised the premiers' decision not to attend the reception.
Victorian Opposition spokesman Brad Rowswell expressed disappointment, suggesting that leadership sometimes requires setting aside personal views for the greater good.
‘Sometimes, leadership requires putting personal prejudice aside in the interests of the greater good,’ he said.
‘Premier Allan represents a state wholeheartedly embraces and supports King Charles as our Head of State’.
Bev McArthur, the Australian Monarchists League spokesperson in Victoria, called the snub a 'slap in the face' to the King and a 'monumental insult.'
‘All premiers and ministers have sworn allegiance to our monarch, Charles III, and it is a monumental insult that they now spit in his hand extended in friendship,’ she said.
‘This is a historic opportunity to unite Australia, focus on charitable work, and give back to communities. Yet our immature politicians are clearly choosing to play politics.'
On the other side of the debate, republican sentiment in Australia is gaining traction, particularly among younger generations who question the relevance of a hereditary monarch as the nation's head of state.
Esther Anatolitis, co-chair of the Australian Republic Movement and a candidate for Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne, sees the royal visit as an opportunity to reignite discussions about Australia's constitutional future and the possibility of becoming a republic.
‘Welcome to “Monarchy the Farewell Oz Tour." It's time to wave goodbye to royal reign,’ she said.
‘This week's visit is a valuable opportunity for us to ask that question we’ve been asking for many years: why does Australia still have a King?’
‘Does it make sense that our Head of State inherits the role by birthright and isn’t here for Australians full-time?’
‘By all means, let's welcome Charles and Camilla to Australia...but let's see this as the last visit of a sitting monarch.
Despite the controversy, the royal visit will proceed with a welcome at Parliament House by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
King Charles is scheduled to address an audience of distinguished Australians and pay his respects at the Australian War Memorial.
The public will also have the chance to meet the royal couple at the For Our Country memorial and the Opera House forecourt.
What are your thoughts on the state premiers' decision to skip the royal welcome reception? Is it a matter of conflicting schedules, a political statement, or something else? Feel free to share your views and experiences in the comments below.
The decision has sparked a debate about the monarchy's relevance in modern Australia and the priorities of its elected officials.
King Charles and Queen Camilla's arrival in Australia was meant to be a momentous occasion.
It marked the King's 17th visit to the country but his first as the reigning monarch.
The royal couple's six-day itinerary includes stops in Canberra and Sydney from October 18 to 23.
Australian state premiers in Canberra will not welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla due to other commitments. Credit: Shutterstock
However, the absence of state premiers at the welcome reception has raised eyebrows and elicited strong reactions from various quarters.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and NSW Premier Chris Minns cited cabinet meetings as their inability to attend, while Queensland Premier Steven Miles is focused on his re-election campaign.
Other premiers, such as Jeremy Rockliff of Tasmania and Peter Malinauskas of South Australia, have also indicated they are otherwise occupied, with Western Australia’s Premier Roger Cook's spokesperson mentioning 'other commitments.'
Monarchist groups and opposition politicians have criticised the premiers' decision not to attend the reception.
Victorian Opposition spokesman Brad Rowswell expressed disappointment, suggesting that leadership sometimes requires setting aside personal views for the greater good.
‘Sometimes, leadership requires putting personal prejudice aside in the interests of the greater good,’ he said.
‘Premier Allan represents a state wholeheartedly embraces and supports King Charles as our Head of State’.
Bev McArthur, the Australian Monarchists League spokesperson in Victoria, called the snub a 'slap in the face' to the King and a 'monumental insult.'
‘All premiers and ministers have sworn allegiance to our monarch, Charles III, and it is a monumental insult that they now spit in his hand extended in friendship,’ she said.
‘This is a historic opportunity to unite Australia, focus on charitable work, and give back to communities. Yet our immature politicians are clearly choosing to play politics.'
On the other side of the debate, republican sentiment in Australia is gaining traction, particularly among younger generations who question the relevance of a hereditary monarch as the nation's head of state.
Esther Anatolitis, co-chair of the Australian Republic Movement and a candidate for Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne, sees the royal visit as an opportunity to reignite discussions about Australia's constitutional future and the possibility of becoming a republic.
‘Welcome to “Monarchy the Farewell Oz Tour." It's time to wave goodbye to royal reign,’ she said.
‘This week's visit is a valuable opportunity for us to ask that question we’ve been asking for many years: why does Australia still have a King?’
‘Does it make sense that our Head of State inherits the role by birthright and isn’t here for Australians full-time?’
‘By all means, let's welcome Charles and Camilla to Australia...but let's see this as the last visit of a sitting monarch.
Despite the controversy, the royal visit will proceed with a welcome at Parliament House by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
King Charles is scheduled to address an audience of distinguished Australians and pay his respects at the Australian War Memorial.
The public will also have the chance to meet the royal couple at the For Our Country memorial and the Opera House forecourt.
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