Ex Prime Minister Tony Abbott on why it’s the ‘worst possible’ time for an Australian republic

With two wars waging around the world, one former Prime Minister has stressed the importance of Australia remaining in the monarchy.

EXCLUSIVE: Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott says Australia’s ties to the British monarchy are more important than ever and the Albanese government should acknowledge that.

Speaking as King Charles III threw himself into his 17th tour of Australia, Mr Abbott stressed the importance of remaining in the constitutional monarchy system at a time the world was becoming increasingly fractured amid two major wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

“Now is the worst possible time to weaken existing ties, especially with family countries,” the staunch monarchist said.

“The AUKUS deal is a sign of the continuing strength of the Australia-Britain relationship.”

The Albanese government had previously appointed a Minister for the Republic before abolishing the role in the wake of the Voice referendum.

The Albanese government has said a republic referendum is not a priority for the government.

“The recent Voice result showed that Australians are deeply sceptical of proposals to change the constitution especially if there is no obvious benefit,” Mr Abbott said.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott with King Charles in 2014.

“Of course, if they are not going to pursue it, Labor should drop their republican plans, especially since constitutional monarchy is a very good system of government.”

The Albanese government declined to comment.

Mr Abbott’s comments come after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns, both republicans, welcomed the King and Queen on a wet Friday night.

National convener of Australians for Constitutional Monarchy Professor David Flint, said most politicians are completely out of step with the public on the issue of a republic.

“Quite often, the views of commentators and other people are perhaps somewhat different from the rank and file,” Professor Flint said.

“Most politicians are republicans and they don’t want this tour to be a great success.

“I think Australians are completely exasperated and bored with the idea of changing the Constitution.”

The last time a referendum was held on Australia becoming a republic, in 1999, 54.9 per cent voted no.

Then Australian opposition leader Tony Abbott with the late Queen Elizabeth II, pictured in 2011 in Canberra. Picture: AFP/ Kym Smith

Anzac Day 100th anniversary at Lone Pine in Gallipoli, Turkey, in 2015. King Charles and Tony Abbott pictured.

Daily Mirror Royal Editor Russell Myers, who arrived in Sydney earlier this week ahead of the King and Queen’s arrival, said there was a growing respect among Aussies for the monarch because of the way he’s dealt with his health issues.

Charles paused his cancer treatment in order to come to Australia.

“I think you’ll almost see a different side to Charles because of what he’s going through,” Mr Myers said.

“I think when one is faced with your own mortality, it changes your whole world.”

He said it was also significant that Charles was meeting two pioneering skin cancer experts, Professor Georgina Long and Professor Richard Scolyer, both Australians of the Year, during his visit.

Prince William with former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott at the Tusk Conservation Awards on November 22, 2021 in London, England. Picture: Toby Melville/Getty

“He wants to use his own cancer diagnosis in order to spread the message,” Mr Myers said. “It is quite unique for both a member of the royal family and for the monarch to be openly discussing their health and the treatments they’re having.

“He’s shown a very different human side to himself, by honestly talking about his cancer treatment. It’s very, very personal.

Mr Myers, who has been following the royals for eight years, said there was a lot of excitement within Buckingham Palace for the King and Queen on this tour.

He also dismissed this as being a farewell tour.

“This is his 17th visit to Australia. I don’t think it will be his last,” Mr Myers said.