Anthony Albanese appoints Matt Thistlethwaite as Assistant Minister for the Republic

A Cabinet appointment made by Mr Albanese has raised eyebrows, with speculation a major decision could be on the cards soon.

Speculation is growing that Anthony Albanese could call a referendum on the future of the Royal Family in Australia after making a quiet appointment to his Cabinet.

The new Prime Minister made Matt Thistlethwaite Assistant Minister for the Republic in a move that could signal his intention to attempt to ditch the Queen as Australia’s head of state.

The republican PM was pressed on his attitude towards shifting Australia away from the monarchy during his campaign.

While the Labor leader said the issue was “important”, his government would be focusing more on Indigenous recognition in the constitution.

Australian Republic Movement chair Peter FitzSimons said Mr Albanese’s appointment of Mr Thistlethwaite was a move in the right direction.

“This is the best news for the Australian Republic Movement in nigh on a quarter-century,” he said.

“In the insightful words of that well-known monarchist Lyle Shelton a few weeks ago, for the first time, Australia has ‘a Minister of the Crown devoted to removing the Crown’.

“The timing is perfect ... we are on our way.”

The Queen is marking her platinum jubilee this weekend (Photo by Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Monarchists criticised Mr Albanese’s move, with some saying it was inappropriate just days before Her Majesty’s platinum jubilee.

Jack Barton, from the University of Queensland Monarchists League, said: “I think it’s absolutely ridiculous, it’s come at the worst possible time with an utter show of disrespect to the Queen and the Crown.

“Labor has a disregard for any of the people in Australia who want to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee.”

The exact nature of Mr Thistlethwaite’s role is unclear.

Australia voted against breaking away from the Commonwealth in a referendum in 1999.

Labor’s Jason Clare previously said the party’s focus was on providing a First Nations voice.

“Indigenous Australians have been incredibly patient ... Our constitution won’t be complete until it recognises and has within it our Indigenous brothers and sisters and recognises a history of more than 60,000 years,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese poses with his Ministers from South Australia after a swearing-in ceremony at Government House.

Matt Thistlethwaite was appointed Assistant Minister for the Republic.

Earlier this year, FitzSimons told news.com.au podcast I’ve Got News For You (IGNFY) it was high time the country got rid of its role as a constitutional monarchy.

“We’re in the third decade of the 21st century, we’re a proud sovereign nation, and the fact is we’re getting our head of state from a family of English aristocrats living in a palace in England,” Mr FitzSimons said.

“As a nation we punch above our weight in any field you care to name – in military, in sport, in science, in theatre, in art, in contributions to the world, in economy … we’re a proud, wonderful, robust people.”

Mr FitzSimons argued it was unjustified that Australia, despite its unmatched capabilities, still relied on “holding England’s hand”.

“It’s a matter of our national dignity that we’re 121 years since federation [and yet] our people have been here for 65,000 years.

Mr FitzSimons argued it was unjustified that Australia, despite its unmatched capabilities, still relied on ‘holding England’s hand’.

“When we become a republic, it will be a recognition of that fact. We’re not transplanted Brits, we’re a freestanding people beneath the Southern Cross who should run our own show.”

The Australian Republic Movement (ARM) recently proposed its new model, which suggests a head of state, elected by the Australian people, would serve a five-year term, entirely independent of leaders elected by parliament.

Mr FitzSimons proposed the head of state be given the title of “Elder” as opposed to the largely Americanised label, “president”.

“I personally, not as chair of the ARM, I would like something like Elder. It would be someone who represents the dignity of Australia,” he said.