Anthony Albanese has ‘priorities wrong’ with republic referendum, royal expert says

Brits have called out Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as the King’s coronation nears. See why.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has his “priorities wrong” planning a referendum on becoming a republic at a time that Australia is mired in a cost of living crisis, a prominent royal expert has said.

Royal journalist and commentator Camilla Tominey said it would be “a sad day” if Australia breaks ties with Britain given its common binds – “a love of beer, cooked meat, and indeed the royal family.”

“There‘s a bit of consternation about whether Albanese has got his priorities straight when people are struggling to pay their bills – there’s a war in Ukraine and other people have probably got more pressing matters,” Ms Tominey, associate editor of the British Daily Telegraph, told News Corp Australia.

”A sad day” if Australia breaks ties with the royals, say royal experts. Picture: Getty Images

“If Australians are anything like Britain, people right now are more worried about cost of living, potholes in the roads and whether they can get an NHS appointment …

“I would be sad (if Australia became a republic), the Australians and the British are so close. There are so many Brits over in Australia and so many Australians over in Britain. And what‘s the tie that binds? It’s a love of beer, cooked meat, and indeed the royal family.”

After the death of Queen Elizabeth II last year, Mr Albanese said a referendum on whether Australia should become a republic was not a priority, signalling an Aboriginal Voice to parliament as more pressing.

Anthony Albanese says he will launch a referendum on becoming a republic if he wins a second term in parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire

But the Queen’s death in September has reignited a campaign for Australian constitutional independence with republicans calling for a presidential system free of a British head of state.

The Prime Minister has committed to a referendum for a constitutionally enshrined indigenous ‘Voice to parliament’, after which the Labor government plans to hold a similar vote to test Australians’ appetite for a republic in his second term.

In February the Australian central bank announced King Charles would not feature on the new $5 note to replace the late Queen and no celebrations led by the government for the coronation on May 6 have been organised for Australians to enjoy.

Albanese will travel to London for His Majesty‘s coronation in just under three weeks.

“Republicanism has always been a thing in Australia, under Rudd (Kevin) there was a referendum, but the big question is what replaces the king as head of state?” Ms Tominey asked on Tuesday.

“What kind of President does Australia want?

“From the royal perspective, there‘s a difference between the realms and the Commonwealth; the Commonwealth as a League of Nations has got people queuing up to join it, which is interesting and probably a reflection of their fear of Chinese and Russian supremacy in the Pacific, and a degree of ambiguity about what India is doing right now …

“That global power has shifted somewhat,” she said.

“With regard to republicanism, what can the royals do? The royals will have to say that we‘re here for as long as these countries want us.

“People will look to Barbados but they also have to ask themselves was that a decision by the people, or politicians? The interesting thing about that decision is there wasn‘t a referendum. The public weren’t asked to decide.”

Originally published as Anthony Albanese has ‘priorities wrong’ with republic referendum, royal expert says