Republic no sure thing, says Peter FitzSimons

Australian Republic Movement chairman Peter FitzSimons has conceded an Australian head of state is “not inevitable’’.

Australian Republic Movement chair Peter FitzSimons. Picture: Jane Dempster

Australian Republic Movement chairman Peter FitzSimons has conceded an Australian head of state is “not inevitable” and ­declared he might not be the person to lead the case when the ­republic question is next put to voters.

The sports journalist and former international rugby player, known for his trademark red bandana, said yesterday’s Newspoll showing a slump in support for a republic to a 25-year low was a stark reminder for republicans of the task before them.

Prominent republican Jeff Kennett said the case for an Australian head of state was now “doomed”, after the Newspoll showed a surge in support for the monarchy thanks to the popularity of the younger royals.

But FitzSimons said the 10-point slump in support for a republic followed a three-year run in which nearly every poll showed majority backing for an Australian head of state. “This particular one after the visit by Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex didn’t. So be it. It is just a reminder that the republic is not inevitable,” he said.

FitzSimons, who claimed the ARM chairman’s post in 2015 and was recently re-elected with 75 per cent member support, said he was “vaguely aware” of criticism of his leadership. But the commentator said Labor’s commitment to run a plebiscite on the republic if it won government, and “plenty of support” among Coalition voters, indicated good progress on his watch.

“As to whether I am the one who should be in charge when the question is put to the people — maybe, maybe not,” he said.

“The leadership should go to whoever best can help get it over the line. If our membership or I judge there is such a good candidate, I’ll be the first to push for him or her.”

The latest Newspoll shows support for a republic fell to 40 per cent from 50 per cent in April, while the proportion ­opposed to a republic jumped from 41 per cent to 48 per cent.

The drop in support represents the sharpest movement in sentiment of any poll taken since 1995, and the first time since the 1999 referendum that Australians opposed to a republic have outnumbered those in favour.

Mr Kennett said he believed there were now more pressing ­issues requiring attention in Australia, “and one of them is good government, and consistent government”.

“I think their cause is doomed,” the former Victorian premier said. “I have always supported the concept of a republic, not while the current monarch is in place, while still remaining in the Commonwealth. But I don’t think now that there is any chance of that succeeding.”

Australian Monarchist League chairman Philip Benwell said the poll result was unsurprising considering the “tremendous effect” the younger royals were having on perceptions of the monarchy. “The younger generations of Australians are not republican. They are not like the baby boomers,” he said.

Bill Shorten has promised a $160 million national vote in the first term of a Labor government to gauge support for a republic, which would be followed by a referendum if the push for an Australian head of state had ­majority support. The question put would be: “Do you support an Australian republic with an Australian head of state?”