Shorten Renews Push For Australian Republic, Vows To Hold Referendum
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has promised a national vote on Australia becoming a republic during the first term of a Labor Government.
Mr Shorten said he would hold a referendum with a simple yes or no answer to decide whether Australia should remain in the monarchy. “One question — do you support an Australian republic with an Australian head of state? ‘Yes’ or ‘No’?” he said.
“I believe the answer will probably be ‘Yes’, but we will let the people decide.”
Mr Shorten also took a swipe at Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over whether the issue was raised when he met Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace earlier this month.
At the time Mr Turnbull said “most Australian republicans are Elizabethans as well”.
Mr Shorten disagreed and said it was time for an Australian head of state.
“Let me say — this does not change our respect for the Queen for her service,” he said.
But Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the issue was not a priority for most Australians. “The day will come at some point in time where people will have another referendum, I suppose,” he said.
“But that is not what’s pressing at the moment.
“If you want to see what’s pressing at the moment, go into any office and say, ‘What is the issue that’s coming here’ and they’ll say, ‘I cannot afford my power bill’.”