Groups for and against Australia severing official ties with the British monarchy have weighed in after the ministerial position, the assistant minister for a republic, was cut amid the Albanese government’s recent cabinet reshuffle.
Matt Thistlethwaite, the member for Kingsford Smith, was removed from the portfolio during the July 28 announcement, a move likely to signal no push for an official referendum on a republic.
A previous referendum to change Australia’s political system and constitution was held in 1999, but was unsuccessful.
Daniel Lahood from Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy (ACM) said they were considering a High Court challenge over the portfolio.
“The decision to abolish the portfolio of the assistant minister for the republic and not proceed to hold a republic referendum is well overdue but welcomed by ACM,” he told The Epoch Times.
“The prime minister had simply failed to read the room.”
Mr. Lahood said Australians had far greater concerns than the head of state.
“Australians across this country are not struggling to sleep over the question of who is their head of state. The focus should simply be on how people are going to afford to pay their rent or mortgage and put food on the table,” he said.
“ACM had received advice from counsel regarding the constitutional legality of the existence of an assistant minister for the republic and has been considering a High Court challenge.”
National chair of the Australian Monarchist League, Philip Benwell, also welcomed the decision to axe the role, but expressed the Australian Greens may still push for a republic if it is part of a minority government.
“Our main emphasis is now on the visit of the King and Queen in October and also on establishing an educational program for all Australians, particularly on the Australian Constitution and the role of the King and the Crown within it,” he told The Epoch Times.
Republic Movement to Continue Push
But Australian Republican Movement (ARM) co-chairs Nathan Hansford and Esther Anatolitis told The Epoch Times they were determined to eventually see the removal of the monarchy in Australia with a head of state who represented the country’s cultural diversity.“We have long known that a referendum on an Australian republic was not on the cards in this term of government,” Mr. Hansford said.
“Matt Thistlethwaite has been a long-time friend of the ARM and we thank him for the work he has done to bring the question of an Australian Republic back into public discourse.”
Mr. Hansford said it was not appropriate for the group to comment on the internal machinations of the cabinet reshuffle and said it would be Australians, not the government, who eventually lead the push for a republic.
“At the ARM we continue to work tirelessly to raise awareness and have important discussions with Australians about what is needed to ensure that we are represented by an Australian, someone who can personify the unique and diverse cultures that underpin what it really means to be Australian,” he said.
