AUSTRALIA: Anthony Albanese has not ruled out holding a referendum on the republic if he is re-elected, saying only that it was “inappropriate” to discuss while commemorating Queen Elizabeth II.
In a series of interviews on Monday, Albanese made the comments in support of the idea of a national day of mourning public holiday on September 22.
At a subsequent press conference, the prime minister announced that the parliament would reconvene for a condolence motion on Friday, September 23, and three sitting days from Monday through Wednesday, September 26 to September 28.
Before returning to Australia on September 21, Albanese and the governor-general, David Hurley, will take a flight to London on Thursday for some important events leading up to the Queen’s burial on September 19.
Despite Albanese revealing on Monday morning that a permanent replacement has been chosen but will be announced “in the fullness of time,” both the prime minister and governor general will attend the burial together with Australia’s interim high commissioner, Lynette Wood.
According to plans “in place for a long time” and recalled at the “earliest possible opportunity,” Albanese told reporters in Canberra, parliament had been suspended for 15 days.
Even though parliament was in session that day, Albanese would go to Japan on September 26 alongside former prime ministers Howard, Abbott, and Turnbull to attend Shinzo Abe’s funeral ceremony.
During the sitting week, Albanese would be absent for at least two days, leaving Richard Marles, his deputy, as acting prime minister.
Earlier, Wood told reporters at Australia House in London that she had delivered the sympathies of the Australian people to King Charles III after being presented to him upon his ascension to the throne.
“The King has a deep and broad relationship with Australia, and his majesty’s warmth for our country was evident in our brief conversation this afternoon,” she said.
“The seriousness in London, the respect for Her Majesty, and the existing level of strong support for King Charles the Third are what have truly hit me over the past several days.”
Foreign heads of state have reportedly been asked to fly commercially into the UK and are not permitted to go by helicopter.
The recommendation does not seem to apply to Australia, which, in accordance with UK advice, is utilising the Royal Australian Air Force to make it easier for the leaders of the Pacific countries to participate due to the lack of commercial flights.
The journey of the governor-general and himself has been “longstanding planned,” according to Albanese, who added on Monday morning that “we’re also making arrangements for Pacific leaders to travel as well.”
When asked if he would be able to hold a republican referendum during his second term, Albanese responded, “Well, that’s not for answering now at this point in time.”
He noted that he had previously stated that he could not imagine a scenario in which we changed our head of state to an Australian head of state while still failing to recognize First Nations people in our constitution.
He stated that it was the “intention during this term” to recognise Indigenous Australians in the constitution.
“Talking about a constitutional amendment at this time is inappropriate. To honor Queen Elizabeth II’s life of service at this time is fitting.”
Australia mourns Queen Elizabeth’s death
The defeat in the 1999 referendum caused the republican movement in Australia to lose momentum, but the passing of Queen Elizabeth II has already prompted calls to abolish the monarchy from some, notably the Green Party.
After Labor won the May election, Albanese appointed Matt Thistlethwaite as assistant minister for the republic, a position he held during Labor’s opposition phase.
A public holiday for the day of mourning has been planned, according to Albanese, for “a significant amount of time.”
A national anti-corruption commission bill was supposed to be introduced during the four sitting days that were cut from the legislative agenda. Albanese stated that the administration intends to make up those days.
“Tradition, I know, sometimes can be inconvenient. But traditions are important,” he said.
Meanwhile, the finance minister, Katy Gallagher, said the sitting week from 26 to 28 September would give the Senate “an opportunity to progress some important government legislation”.
Albanese said Labor had promised the anti-corruption measure will be “presented this year,” misrepresenting a higher pledge that the commission “would be legislated” in 2022.
“I’m confident that timetable hasn’t changed,” he said.
The timing of “the kind of party fight that goes with parliament happening at a time when actually there is a sense of sadness around the nation” should be postponed, Marles had earlier stated as being “appropriate.”
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