Governor-General David Hurley criticised for ‘bizarre’ Queen comment

Australia’s Governor-General David Hurley has been slammed for making a “bizarre” comment about the Queen at her Platinum Jubilee.

Governor-General David Hurley’s comments about the Queen have been labelled ‘bizarre’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Governor-General David Hurley has come under for comments he made about Queen Elizabeth II while representing Australia at her Platinum Jubilee over the weekend.

General Hurley was asked about the possibility of Australia becoming a republic, with his subsequent answer raising eyebrows after he mentioned the Queen’s eventual death.

“I think at the moment people centre on the Queen, and then when she goes, when she passes, then the succession comes in, there’s a new discussion in Australia,” he said.

Governor-General David Hurley and Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2019. Picture: Steve Parsons / WPA Pool/ Getty Images

2GB radio host Ben Fordham took issue with the comment, labelling it “bizarre” on his Monday morning show.

“It’s her big celebration, 70 years on the throne. Imagine going to someone’s anniversary or birthday party and saying ‘now listen when she’s gone’. Well no, you don’t talk about that now,” Fordham said.

“While he may be correct, I thought it was a bizarre comment to be making during this very important celebration.”

“We just shouldn’t be talking about the Queen passing away when she’s well and truly alive.”

Fordham's views were echoed by former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett who called General Hurley’s comments “totally out of order”.

“Australia's Governor-General David Hurley was totally out of order, as the Queen’s representative in Australia, attending the church service in the UK celebrating the Queen's 70th anniversary to talk about her passing and what Australia might choose in the future,” Mr Kennett posted to Twitter.

“Beyond his brief!”

Australia's Governor General David Hurley was totally out of order, as the Queens representative in Australia, attending the church service in the UK celebrating the Queens 70th anniversary to talk about her passing, and what Australia might chose in the future
Beyond his brief!

— Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) June 4, 2022

It comes after Matt Thistlethwaite was appointed as Republic Assistant Minister last week, renewing speculation that Australia could become a republic and transition away from the monarchy under the new Labor government.

Mr Thistlethwaite also seemed to suggest that the time for a republic could come after Queen Elizabeth’s death.

“I’d like to congratulate the Queen on her jubilee and her reign. I think she’s been a fantastic monarch and leader of the commonwealth,” he told Sky News on Thursday.

“But as she comes to the twilight of her reign I think Australians are naturally beginning to ask themselves what comes next for Australia.

Republic Assistant Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said Austraians had the right to ask ‘what comes next?’ Picture: Damian Shaw

“Do we want King Charles or are we mature enough or independent enough to look to appoint one of our own as our head of state.”

But Fordham also took issue with Mr Thistlethwaite’s comments, saying now is not the time to be mentioning a republic or the Queen’s successor.

“This is a time of celebration, focus on the good things, the party, the achievement, the record,” he said.

“There is no King Charles, there is Queen Elizabeth II. This a very important celebration and we are a part of that celebration. The timing is appalling.”