SYDNEY: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese performed down on Friday (Feb 20) the prospect of a vote to take away the British monarch as Australia’s head of state following the arrest of former Prince Andrew.
Albanese, who favours altering his nation to a republic, mentioned Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest and detention on suspicion of misconduct in public workplace represented “a rare fall from grace”.
Nevertheless, he appeared to rule out holding a vote to take away Andrew’s brother King Charles III as Australian head of state, recalling a failed 2023 referendum on Indigenous individuals’s rights that he had supported throughout his first time period in workplace.
“I am a republican however we had a referendum over the past time period. Referendums are laborious to move in Australia,” Albanese mentioned when requested in an interview with The Guardian whether or not Australia ought to reassess its ties with the monarchy.
He mentioned he had a very good relationship with King Charles, who he mentioned beloved Australia.
“However that does not change the truth that I feel there ought to be an Australian head of state,” Albanese mentioned.
