Republic vote on hold for now, says Anthony Albanese

Anthony Albanese says he only committed to hold the voice referendum during his prime ministership, rejecting a push to put the republic back on the agenda.

Anthony Albanese is not committing to holding a republic referendum during his prime ministership. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

Anthony Albanese says the only referendum he committed to was the one on the voice, rebuffing a push to put the republic back on the agenda.

The Prime Minister said it would be a “matter for Australians” if a republican referendum was held while he was the ­nation’s leader.

“I committed to one referendum. We held it. It wasn’t successful, and I think that was disappointing,” Mr Albanese said.

Assistant Minister for the Republic Matt Thistlethwaite last week walked away from Labor’s aim to hold a republic referendum in the next term of parliament, arguing the government’s focus needed to be firmly on the cost of living. But he retainsthe portfolio, as a republic was part of Labor’s “longer-term” plans.

The Australian Republic Movement has backed the government’s cost-of-living focus, but has vowed to spend the year consulting on a “people’s model” that would be ready for an eventual referendum.

The ARM’s indicative model – to be finalised after a year of public consultation – includes the proposal for a directly elected head of state using the compulsory preferential voting system.

Real Republican Australia has criticised the government for putting the issue on ice.

RRA chair David Muir wrote to all federal MPs arguing it was “very disappointing that the Albanese government has deferred indefinitely a referendum on an Australian republic and appears to have shelved plans for constitutional reform”.

“While it is evident that a focus on cost-of-living issues by all ­governments is necessary in ­current circumstances, we should be seizing opportunities for ­lasting long-term beneficial reforms delivering measurable ­outcomes including permanent ongoing savings to taxpayers,” Mr Muir wrote.

He also urged the parliament to back a broader constitutional reform agenda, including four-year fixed terms and recognition of local governments.

“Fixed four-year terms for both the upper and lower houses would save at minimum more than half-a-billion dollars every 12 years given that Australian Electoral Commission figures show the 2022 election for the House of Representatives and half the Senate cost $522.4m,” Mr Muir wrote. “That’s more than $1bn available for other government services, capital works, or cost-of-living support in little more than two decades.”

Labor is yet to face open anger from its supporters over the delay in pursuing the republic, despite it being part of the party’s policy platform endorsed by MPs, ­members and unions.

While the CFMEU has urged Labor to remain committed to the republic, the Electrical Trades Union and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union have backed the delay.

AMWU national secretary Steve Murphy said putting the republic on ice was part of a “sober reflection”.

“AMWU members are consistently saying the government needs to roll their sleeves up and get to work on its commitments to manufacturing jobs, cost of living and housing,” he said.