Labor lays out plans for becoming a republic, with lessons from the 1999 referendum

ByTommie C. Curtis

Jun 7, 2022 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The person tasked with overseeing Australia’s shift to a republic states there are lessons to be learnt from the failed 1999 referendum.

Twenty-three years in the past, Australians rejected the proposition that the country become a republic with a president appointed by parliament.

Matt Thistlethwaite, the newly appointed Assistant Minister for the Republic, reported he had been included in that marketing campaign and “division” among republicans on the best way to set up a head of condition was “fatal to its success”.

“I’m deeply mindful of that. And I want to prevent that in the foreseeable future,” he instructed ABC Radio on Thursday.

“So we don’t have a desire for a model that we’re heading to find to drive on Australians. We’re likely to acquire this slowly and gradually and methodically.”

Anthony Albanese
Digicam IconMatt Thistlethwaite and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will function in direction of a referendum on Australia turning out to be a republic. NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard Credit rating: News Corp Australia

Anthony Albanese has promised his authorities in its 1st phrase will prioritise a referendum on an Indigenous voice to parliament and constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons.

Mr Thistlethwaite claimed the “next all-natural step” would be for Australia to slice ties with the British monarchy and have “one of our own” as head of condition, with a referendum doable in a next expression of a Labor govt.

“(The Key Minister) wishes me to make positive this difficulty comes back on the community agenda in discourse in Australia,” he explained.

“There is a whole technology of Australians, freshly arrived migrants, who never understand this situation. I consider my job is one of schooling.

“We have a proxy consultant in the Governor-Basic. But we can have an Australian as our head of point out.”

Mr Thistlethwaite reported it was time to take into account regardless of whether Australia ought to continue being a constitutional monarchy, with its head of point out, Queen Elizabeth II, now 96 a long time old.

“As the Queen will come to the twilight of her reign we should shell out regard for her for the excellent task she’s accomplished, but I consider Australians are beginning to feel about what will come upcoming for our nation,” he claimed.

“It’s time we commence the severe dialogue the moment yet again … and searching to have one of our have as our head of condition, to recognise that independence and maturity going forward.”

He argued Australia was in the minority, as 34 out of 54 commonwealth international locations experienced moved to starting to be republics.

Mr Thistlethwaite’s opinions arrive as the British royal relatives prepares for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, four days of celebrations to mark her 70 a long time on the throne.

Supporters of the monarchy dressed in Union Jack-themed apparel and lined the streets in the vicinity of Buckingham Palace on Thursday in anticipation of the Queen’s regular birthday parade.