King Charles III divides Aussie leaders over one issue

Australian leaders are split on how the new King should approach one issue, with Anthony Albanese encouraging Charles to continue speaking his mind.

Australian leaders are split over whether King Charles III should be able to continue to speak out on the need for climate action.

The lifelong environmentalist has been outspoken on the threat posed by climate change, long before it became a regular feature in the news.

In his first speech as sovereign, the monarch pledged to uphold the constitutional principles that keep the King or Queen from intervening on what could be interpreted as political manners.

King Charles has been outspoken on climate change for years as Prince. (Photo by Victoria Jones / POOL / AFP)

“It will no longer be possible to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I cared so deeply, but I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday said he didn’t think that should extend to climate change.

“That’s matter for him. I think dealing with the challenge of climate change shouldn’t be seen as a political issue, it should be seen as an issue that is about humanity and about our very quality of life and survival as a world,” he told the ABC.

“This is a big threat and King Charles has identified that for a long period of time.

“I think engagement in issues is very different from engagement in party political matters. That would be entirely inappropriate.”

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have differing views. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

But there’s a world of difference between being a Prince and being a King.

During an interview with the BBC in 2018, then-Prince Charles said he wasn’t “stupid” enough to continue to speak out once he accessended the throne.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton agreed: “I think the point he made in his speech yesterday was that he now, as the Queen did, doesn‘t express those views on a day-to-day basis”.

The mantle is expected to be passed onto the new heir-apparent, Prince William, who is likely to follow in his father's' footsteps and speak out on climate and sustainability.