Australian PM abandons push for nation to become a republic

Australia’s Prime Minister has abandoned his push for the country to become a republic, just months before King Charles arrives on his royal tour.

The King will travel to Australia and Samoa in the autumn accompanied by his wife, Queen Camilla, where they will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa and are also expected to visit Sydney and Canberra in October.

His arrival may not be welcomed by many republicans, already likely irate with the recent news that Anthony Albanese will not be holding a referendum for Australia to become independent from the crown.

The Australian PM has scrapped the republican ministerial role, which he created following his 2022 election.

He justified his decision by stating that when elected, the “only thing [I] committed to” was to have one specific referendum - which he achieved in 2023 with the Australian Indigenous Voice referendum.

Albanese is a “lifelong republican” and has repeatedly made his feelings clear on the matter - he has previously said: “I think that Australia should have an Australian as our head of state, I don’t shy away from that.”

Australians have already voted against becoming a republic, back in 1999 when 54 per cent of voters said no.

Following the late Queen’s death, coupled with infighting between William and Harry, many anti-monarchists hoped that this would signal the beginning of the end.

However, Albanese swore allegiance to Charles at his coronation last year, and insisted that despite his political views, he still has a “great deal of respect” for the King.

The PM also insisted that a referendum on whether Australia should become a republic is out of the question for the near future.