Clash over prince’s view on republic

TASMANIAN Senator Eric Abetz has dismissed former prime minister Paul Keating’s view that Prince Charles wants Australia to sever ties with Britain and become a republic.

Mr Keating reportedly told British newspapers that he had no doubt Prince Charles believed Australia should be free of the British monarchy and that the nation should make its own way in the world.

“Why would he or any one of his family want to visit Australia pretending to be or representing its aspirations as its head of state,” Mr Keating said.

The comments come days before Prince Charles visits Australia for the opening of the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

Mr Keating discussed the republic issue with Prince Charles in 1993 and 1994 when he was prime minister.

Senator Abetz said Mr Keating’s “musings” had no basis in fact and were just a sad feature of the latest republican push.

“Along with wanting to change the flag, Mr Keating regularly finds new ways to try and push for a republic despite the Australian people rejecting his own model in the 1999 Republic referendum,” he said

“Australia’s system of government has withstood the test of time and provided for a gold standard of democracy that is the envy of the world.

“To change that would undermine our democracy and be very risky.”

“I have no doubt that Australians do and will continue to see the value in maintaining our constitution as is, over the self-serving and egotistical arguments for a republic put forward by Mr Keating and his backers,” the Liberal senator said.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott said Mr Keating had “verballed” Prince Charles.

Tasmanian convenor for Australians for Constitutional Monarchy, Reg Watson, said Mr Keating’s views would gain no traction with the public.

“Mr Keating is one of those politicians who believe their stance on an issue should prevail over the will of the people,” he said.

“Nineteen years ago, we had a referendum on the matter and the Australian people voted against becoming a republic,” Mr Watson said.

“I am confident that if a referendum would be replayed the results would be the same.

“The fact of the matter is, we don’t want another referendum costing hundreds of millions of dollars.

“I am confident Mr Keating’s latest call will prove to be worthless,” he said.

Why would he . . . visit Australia pretending to be or representing its aspirations as its head of state

PAUL KEATING