King Charles III: Academic shares political insight into what new monarch means for the NT

A lot will change in the coming months and years following Queen Elizabeth II’s death. We explore what King Charles’ succession means for the NT.

As the Territory pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, questions linger on how the world will look after her reign.

Locals have shared words of reflection for the stoic monarch among uncertainties as to how King Charles III will fulfil the monumental role.

Charles Darwin University Professorial Research Fellow Rolf Gerritsen said the biggest change politically would be a rise in republican activity.

“Everybody loved Queen Elizabeth, she was a gracious person,” he said.

“When she visited in 1954 millions of Australians turned out to see her.

“But over the past 60 years the percentage of people interested has gradually declined.

“It’s partly because Australia has more migrants today coming from all parts of the world.

“We are increasingly rooted in our geographic position in the Asia-Pacific region too.

“England is of minor relevance to Australia now in a political sense.”

Mr Gerritsen said King Charles’ succession to the throne would have little impact on Northern Territory politics but the republican movement would hasten.

“I suspect we will become a republic in the next decade,” he said.

“Even the Queen herself had expressed she would respect Australia’s wishes to become a republic if it was voted on in another referendum.”

2018: His Royal Highness Prince Charles is welcomed to country with a sacred 'Wuyal' ceremony. Picture: Michael Franchi

King Charles’ last trip to the Northern Territory took him to East Arnhem Land in 2018.

During the short trip, Mulka MLA Yingiya Guyula presented His Royal Highness with a “letter stick” pleading for Buckingham Palace to help see a treaty installed.

“We have many difficulties with the Australian governments because they do not recognise our sovereignty,” the message read.

“We need to correct this situation, for the sake of our children and their children, for our cultural survival, for our ancestors.

“We are the oldest living culture in the world.

“We are the only Indigenous people of a Commonwealth country that does not have the respect or dignity of a treaty with our people.”

Four years on, it appears the Yolgnu’s plea has finally been heard with the election of Anthony Albanese.

The 31st Prime Minister has promised to enact the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full, which includes a treaty among its three key reforms.

A constitutionally-enshrined ‘Voice’ is also promised alongside the Makarrata Commission into truth-telling

A referendum on the ‘Voice’ has been promised to happen before the end of Albanese’s first term.

“Today marks the end of an era, the close of the second Elizabethan age,” Mr Albanese said.

“This time of mourning will pass, but the deep respect and warm regard in which Australians have always held for her will never fade.

“In the coming days, the Governor-General and I will be heading to London where we will meet the King.

“We will convey the sorrow of Australians as well as our best wishes to him, and the Queen Consort, as he takes on his duties as Sovereign.”