Calls for Australia to cut ties with monarchy after death of Queen Elizabeth II

The death of Queen Elizabeth II has led to renewed calls for Australia to cut ties with the monarchy, with Peter FitzSimons leading the push.

Less than an hour after the death of Queen Elizabeth II was announced, the Australian Republican Movement (ARM) said it was time to cut ties to the British monarchy and become an independent nation.

Buckingham Palace issued a statement informing the public of the death of Britain‘s longest reigning monarch at 3.30am on Friday morning Australian time.

Queen Elizabeth II died at 96 in her castle at Balmoral after presiding over the Commonwealth for more than seven decades.

Queen Elizabeth II has died at age 96 after ruling for 70 years.

Less than an hour after the notice from the Palace, the ARM issued its own statement expressing its condolences and acknowledging the Queen’s “significant contribution” to Australia.

ARM chair Peter FitzSimons said the country had flourished under her reign and said it was “unlikely we will ever see a Monarch as respected or admired by the Australian people again”.

The organisation suggested the death of the beloved monarch was the time to renew calls for Australian independence, which it says the Queen herself supported.

“The Queen backed the right of Australians to become a fully independent nation during the referendum on an Australian republic in 1999, saying that she has ‘always made it clear that the future of the Monarchy in Australia is an issue for the Australian people and them alone to decide’,” the statement read.

The ARM said Queen Elizabeth II had demonstrated her respect for the self determination of Australians by eliminating opportunities for British intervention in the government.

Peter FitzSimons is the leader of the Australian Republic Movement. Picture: Gary Ramage

Mr FitzSimons says the time is right to become independent. Picture: Jane Dempster

Republicans expect the death of the monarch will result in a renewed surge of interest in the movement after support has steadily waned since the 1999 referendum was defeated.

However, Australian monarchists believe renewed republican efforts will face the same fate.

Not only was the referendum for constitutional independence defeated in 1999, it also failed to win a majority of support in any state or territory except the ACT.

Australians for Constitutional Monarchy national convener David Flint told DailyMail the republican movement had “absolutely no hope” of effecting change.

“Whatever chance they had is gone. I don‘t think they will get a second chance,” he told the publication.

Queen Elizabeth II will be succeeded by her eldest son Charles. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

However, the push for independence was backed by one of the country’s most prominent federal politicians.

Greens leader Adam Bandt took to social media to express his condolences to the royal family and to support calls to cut ties with the monarchy.

“Now Australia must move forward,” he tweeted on Friday morning.

“We need Treaty with First Nations people, and we need to become a Republic.”

The controversial statement was met with a mixture of emotions.

Rest In Peace Queen Elizabeth II.

Our thoughts are with her family and all who loved her.

Now Australia must move forward.

We need Treaty with First Nations people, and we need to become a Republic.

— Adam Bandt (@AdamBandt) September 8, 2022

Detractors blasted Mr Bandt’s announcement as disrespectful to the Queen’s memory for discussing the issue hours after her death. Others argued that the imposition of a new head of state was exactly the right time to assess becoming a republic.

The ARM statement pushing for independence was issued about 20 mins before a statement from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday.

Speaking about the push for Australia to become a republic, the Australian leader said it was not the time for the discussion.

“Look, I think today is a day to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, to think about her life, and give thanks and I think that is the focus of today,” the Prime Minister said.

“(It’s) certainly not a day for politics.“

Former prime minister Scott Morrison echoed his rival’s sentiment and said it was not the time to reflect on questions of national independence.

“I think it is a time for mourning, for thanksgiving, and for honour and respect, both certainly to Her Majesty, but also I think to the monarchy,” he said.

“It’s the institution of the monarchy which has provided such stability to so many countries, including Australia, for so, so long.”

Mourners have gathered outside Buckingham Palace after news of the Queen’s death broke on September 8. Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage

Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce called Mr Bandt’s tribute “totally tone deaf” in this period of mourning.

“Today is not the day you play politics,” he told Sky News Australia.

“Why not just reflect on the dignity and grace of a human being who has passed away (and) the service they did.”

Flags have been lowered to half-mast around the nation to mourn the Queen’s death and there will be a gun salute at Parliament House in Canberra to mark each year of her life.

Mr Albanese and Governor-General David Hurley will travel to London to meet with King Charles III in the next few days.