Australia's republicans push for independence hours after Queen's death

Republicans in Australia have wasted no time in renewing calls for their country to break ties with the royal family following the death of Queen Elizabeth. 

Adam Bandt, leader of the Greens, tweeted that ‘Australia must move forward’ in the wake of her passing and that ‘we need to become a Republic’.

Mehreen Faruqi, his deputy, went even further – saying she ‘cannot mourn the leader of a racist empire built on stolen lives, land and wealth of colonised peoples.

‘We are reminded of the urgency of… becoming a republic,’ she said, before adding: ‘Condolences to those who knew the Queen.’

Adam Bandt, leader of the Greens, called for an Australian republic in his 'tribute' tweet to Queen Elizabeth following her death

Adam Bandt, leader of the Greens, called for an Australian republic in his ‘tribute’ tweet to Queen Elizabeth following her death

Mehreen Faruqi, his deputy, went much further - saying she 'cannot mourn the leader of a racist empire built on stolen lives'

Mehreen Faruqi, his deputy, went much further – saying she ‘cannot mourn the leader of a racist empire built on stolen lives’

The Australian Republican Movement was also quick to put out its own statement, coming just 24 minutes after her death was announced – 19 minutes before Prime Minister Antony Albanese.

Though it stopped short of calling for a new vote on ditching the monarch as head of state, it did note that she ‘backed the right of Australians to become a fully independent nation’ when a referendum was last held in 1999.

put out a statement just 24 minutes after Her Majesty’s death was announced, saying

Peter FitzSimons, who leads the Republican Movement, told the Manning River Times that he expects a groundswell of support now that the Queen has died.

‘A phenomenal number of people have said to me over the years, ‘I’m absolutely with you, but not until the Queen passes away’,’ he said.

‘And I expect now there will be a surge of interest, of membership, of donations.

‘With the greatest respect to Charles III – and I mean that; I have nothing against him personally – he does not enjoy the same deep wellspring of affection and loyalty that Her Majesty did.’

Republicans believe that a new referendum could now be held on becoming a republic within two years, the Times added.

The last time Australia voted on ditching the British monarch as head of state, the move was narrowly defeated with 55 per cent in favour of keeping her.

Australia last voted on becoming a republic in 1999 which was held under then-Prime Minister John Howard (pictured with the Queen in 2006), a monarchist

Australia last voted on becoming a republic in 1999 which was held under then-Prime Minister John Howard (pictured with the Queen in 2006), a monarchist

But the result was seen largely as a reflection of disapproval with the alternative systems on offer rather than affection for the monarchy, and as such the debate has never truly gone away.

Anthony Albanese, who was elected prime minister of Australia in a vote earlier this year, is a republican and wasted no time in creating a new office of ‘assistant minister for the republic’ after winning power.

But he held fire on calling for a new vote yesterday, saying that ‘today is not the day to talk’ about breaking ties with the monarchy.

Polls show a sizable portion of Australians do favour removing the monarch as head of state but, perhaps crucially, it is not a clear majority and young voters are the most strongly opposed.

A June survey by polling company Essential found 44 per cent of Australians backed the country becoming a republic, down from 48 per cent in March.

The poll also found 40 per cent of those in the 18-34 age group were against the move – the highest of any group.

Former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who led the Republic Movement from 1993 to 2000, also said it was ‘too early to say’ what will happen in the wake of the queen’s death.

Turnbull recalled that the first time he and his wife met Queen Elizabeth, the monarch gifted them a portrait of her and Prince Philip.

‘With a wry smile she said, ‘Here you are. You can put them in a cupboard, I suppose,” Turnbull recounted.

The staunch republican even teared up Friday as he revealed that he and his wife had taken out the portrait and admired it as news of the queen’s deteriorating health circulated.

Anthony Albanese, a republican, refused to answer questions on a new referendum yesterday - saying it was 'not the day to talk' about breaking ties with the monarchy

Anthony Albanese, a republican, refused to answer questions on a new referendum yesterday – saying it was ‘not the day to talk’ about breaking ties with the monarchy

‘We just thought: What an amazing life. What amazing leadership,’ Turnbull told public broadcaster ABC. ‘It is the end of an era.’

Republicans in New Zealand struck a similarly respectful tone after waking to news of Elizabeth’s death.

‘The passing of a family member is always a sad moment and New Zealanders, regardless of their views on Aotearoa’s head of state, will send aroha (sympathies),’ said Louis Holden, chair of New Zealand Republic.

He added that the group would be making no further statement until after the queen’s funeral.

New Zealander Petra Otte told AFP that she hoped the queen’s death ‘doesn’t trigger a debate in the media here’ about becoming a republic.

‘I would find that disrespectful to the royal family at this time of their grieving, regardless of personal viewpoints,’ Otte said.

Fellow Kiwi Carol Garden told AFP that ‘if Charles can continue along the same vein as his mother, then there is no reason for New Zealanders not to respect him or question our allegiance to him as the monarch’.

‘There’s something about being at the end of the world and so far away, yet still part of the Commonwealth, which appeals to New Zealanders,’ Garden said.

But despite the cordial tone struck by most, rumblings of dissent slipped through.

The leader of Australia’s Greens party Adam Bandt sparked ire on Friday by saying that ‘now Australia must move forward’, with many calling his timing ‘graceless’.

A sizeable portion of the population support Australia asserting its independence.

A June survey by polling company Essential found 44 percent of Australians backed the country becoming a republic, down from 48 percent in March.

The poll also found those in the 18-34 age group were the most strongly opposed to Australia breaking ties, with 40 percent saying they were against the move.

Sydney resident and monarchist Rowan Drew, 20, told AFP another monarch may not have succeeded in keeping Australia under the crown like Elizabeth.

‘I’m not sure how that will play out for Charles, but I think him being her son, that will get him quite far.’

source: dailymail.co.uk