Australian Leaders Urge Formation Of Republic
KABUL: (MEP) Australian state leaders signed a declaration calling for a country’s head of state to switch the reigning royal in London on the eve of the Australia Day, by throwing their support behind a republic on Monday.
Seven out of the eight Australian state and territory leaders have called for the termination of the British monarchical rule over Australia and the formation of a republic in the country with one saying the nation should not have to wait for the end of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign to cut ties with the British monarchy.
The only state leader not to sign up, Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett, said he also supported a republic but just did not think “the time is right”.
The country is a constitutional monarchy, with Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. Despite having a largely ceremonial role, the monarch does have the power to dissolve the parliament in Australia.
South Australia Premier Jay Weatherill, who signed the declaration said “It’s well past time for Australia to become a sovereign nation,” adding, any self-respecting, independent country would aspire to select one of its own citizens as its head of state.”
Federal Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is already a noted republican, having passionately led the cause ahead of a failed referendum in 1999, as is opposition Labor leader Bill Shorten.
“My commitment to Australia having an Australian head of state is undiminished,” Turnbull said in a statement. He had previously said the issue was not a priority and had ruled out a national vote during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
“My own view… is that the next occasion for the republic referendum to come up is going to be after the end of the Queen’s reign,” he said last year.
Mr FitzSimons, who wants the process on a referendum over becoming a republic to start by 2020, said the declaration sent a message to the prime minister.
But Weatherill said it would be “the ultimate act of respect” if the Queen presided over the transfer of Australia from a monarchy to a republic.
