Albanese Will Not Push for Australian Republican Referendum During Term

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently made it clear that he will not hold a referendum on whether Australia should become a republic during his term. While personally supporting the establishment of a national head of state, Albanese emphasized that the government’s current priority is addressing rising living costs and improving public welfare, rather than constitutional reform.

Albanese pointed out that Australia held a referendum on the “Indigenous Voice to Parliament” in 2023, which was the only referendum during his term. In July 2024, he abolished the ministerial position responsible for republican affairs, a move interpreted as the government adopting a more cautious approach toward constitutional change. Nevertheless, the Australian republican movement continues to urge the government to maintain space for related discussions so that citizens can express their views on the country’s future political system.

During a recent meeting with King Charles in Balmoral, Scotland, Albanese did not raise the issue of Australia becoming a republic. He stated that the discussion with the king was primarily based on mutual respect and to inform the monarch of his position on establishing a national head of state. This meeting took place after his discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement and did not involve sensitive domestic political issues.

Historically, Australia held a republican referendum in 1999, which was ultimately rejected by 55% of voters. Albanese’s statement is seen as respecting the past referendum result and reflects the current government’s preference for gradual, rather than rapid, constitutional reform.