Leading conservatives, such as former foreign minster Julie Bishop, need to be co-opted by the republican movement if a renewed push at severing ties with the monarchy is to succeed, says Greg Barns, who was the republican campaign director during the 1999 referendum.
Mr Barns, also a former head of the Australian Republican Movement, said the next referendum on Australia becoming a republic could not succeed if it was viewed purely as a push by a Labor government.
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Phillip Coorey is the political editor based in Canberra. He is a two-time winner of the Paul Lyneham award for press gallery excellence. Connect with Phillip on Facebook and Twitter. Email Phillip at pcoorey@afr.com