Premier Peter Malinauskas says SA would love to have King Charles visit ahead of ‘possible’ Australian trip
He might be a dedicated republican but the SA Premier says that would not stop the state rolling out the welcome mat for the monarch ahead of a rumoured Aussie visit.
SA News
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The state government has extended an invitation for King Charles to visit South Australia during his potential trip to Australia later this year.
Premier Peter Malinauskas, despite his own republican views, confirmed the invitation, expressing enthusiasm for the monarch’s visit.
“It’d be great to have the king come to South Australia,” he said.
“I’m a republican too but I’ve got unqualified respect for the monarchy and what it has done for institutions around the country.
“So I believe in the power of the Crown to be an important force for good and we would love to have King Charles come to South Australia.”
Mr Malinauskas said the visit would be a great opportunity to show the King our state’s innovations, particularly regarding climate action.
“There are a range of innovations that we’ve got happening in our state that we would love to show King Charles,” he said.
“We know he has a keen interest in nature, keen interest in the challenge of climate change and South Australia’s a central leader in that regard, we think [that] makes [SA] a central spot for him to visit.”
On Monday Prime Minister Albanese confirmed Australia was preparing for a “possible” visit “later this year.”
The 75-year-old monarch had been expected to make the trip later this year prior to announcing his cancer battle last month.
With plans in progress assuming the royal visit goes ahead, the federal government will reach out to state and territory leaders to discuss potential visits across Australia.
“The King has shown his compassion for Australians affected by recent natural disasters, just as Australians have shown compassion and support for the King following his cancer diagnosis,” the Prime Minister said.
“The King, Queen and members of the Royal Family are always welcome in Australia.”
Mr Albanese said his government was “engaging with states and territories on options” for the itinerary.
If it goes ahead, it would mark the King’s first visit to Australia as a sovereign since taking the crown last year, and the first visit by a reigning monarch since 2011.
It is expected the King, likely accompanied by his wife Queen Camilla, would have a busy schedule during the trip.
Therefore, the input from state premiers and territory chief ministers would be crucial in deciding which jurisdiction gets chosen.
The King has made 15 official visits to Australia since his first trip to Victoria in 1967, most recently visiting in 2018 to open the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
He has made many multistate tips including in 1977 and 1983 when he went to all eight jurisdictions.
King Charles last touched down in South Australia in 2015, during which he visited the Barossa Valley as part of a five-day Australian tour.
Queen Camilla joined the King three times, including for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, his 2015 visit and earlier in 2012 when the pair went to Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, NSW and the ACT.
Between 1954 and 2011, Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Australia 16 times, including every state and territory.
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