Prime Minister Anthony Albanese‘s cabinet reshuffle has quashed hopes of Australia becoming a republic anytime soon, with the PM admitting he doesn’t want to fight another referendum battle.
As part of his cabinet reshuffle announced on Sunday, Mr Albanese axed the ‘Minister for the Republic’, the Republic assistant ministry, relocating former Assistant Minister for the Republic Matt Thistlethwaite to a different portfolio.
Crushing the spirit of republicans Australia-wide, Mr Albanese announced on Sunday that he will not be holding a referendum for Australia to become a republic.
Mr Albanese defended his decision to scrap the republican ministerial role, which he created following his 2022 election.
‘I said before I was elected prime minister, I intended to have one referendum. It is the only thing I committed to.’
Mr Albanese was referring to the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum.
This was a constitutional referendum held on 14 October 2023 for a proposed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
The Australian people rejected the proposal to alter the constitution to create the Voice to Parliament that represented indigenous communities by a 60 per cent majority.
The cabinet reshuffle announced on Sunday by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) has crushed Australia’s republic hopes with the PM admitting he didn’t want to endure another referendum (pictured during the Voice referendum campaign last year)
King Charles (pictured left with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will visit Australia with Queen Camilla in October
The Voice referendum – which was defeated in every state and territory except the ACT – cost the Australian taxpayer about $450 million.
On conducting any future referendums, Mr Albanese said, ‘Previously, the Labor party went to elections committing to multiple referendums.’
‘At the moment, the only person who is committed to another referendum during the next term if he’s elected is Peter Dutton.’
The PM is a staunch republican and has made no secret over his time in public life of his dream for Australia to become a republic.
Mr Albanese previously said he would not be a leader who ‘presides over just constitutional debates’.
Mr Thistlethwaite was appointed Assistant Minister for the Republic on June 1, 2022.
As part of his cabinet reshuffle announced on Sunday, Mr Albanese axed the Republic assistant ministry, relocating former Assistant Minister for the Republic Matt Thistlethwaite (pictured) to a different portfolio.
As part of Sunday’s cabinet reshuffle on Sunday, he will now be assistant minister to Tony Burke covering immigration, citizenship and multicultural affairs.
Australians have already voted against becoming a republic, back in 1999 when the referendum saw a 54 per cent No vote.
The death of the Queen and in-fighting between Princes William and Harry sparked renewed hope amongst anti-monarchists that the tide could once again turn.
And Mr Albanese’s decision to appoint an Assistant Minister for the Republic following his election in 2022 was seen as a promising step forward.
Mr Albanese swore allegiance to King Charles at his coronation in May last year in the wake of the Queen’s death, and despite being a ‘life-long republican’, insisted he has ‘a great deal of respect’ for the King.
At the time, Mr Albanese assured members of the public both in Australia and abroad a referendum on whether Australia should become a republic is out of the question for the near future.
In a further blow to republicans, it was confirmed earlier this month King Charles III and Queen Camilla will travel to Australia later this year.
He has visited 15 times previously and in 1966 spent time at a school in Victoria.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said planning for the visit was well underway.
‘I am honoured to welcome the King and Queen on their first royal visit to Australia later this year, they are always welcome visitors,’ he said.
‘The King has a deep regard for our great nation, and has always spoken warmly of the time he has spent here and the astounding beauty of our extraordinary continent. I look forward welcoming the King and Queen back to Australia for this important visit.’
Charles, 75, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, and his wife, 76, will visit Canberra and NSW in October.
It will be Charles’ first visit to Australia since he became king and the first by a reigning monarch since 2011, when Queen Elizabeth II travelled to Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.
