Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ruled out holding another republic referendum despite describing former Prince Andrew's arrest as an "extraordinary fall," disappointing republicans who saw an opportunity to revive the movement.
Speaking to reporters, Albanese acknowledged that Prince Andrew's legal troubles represent a remarkable decline for a senior royal, according to The Guardian. However, he said the government has no plans to pursue a republic referendum in the current term.
The comments come after Andrew was arrested in the United Kingdom on historic charges, sending shockwaves through the British monarchy. Republicans in Australia had hoped the scandal might reignite public appetite for constitutional change.
Australia last held a republic referendum in 1999, when voters narrowly rejected becoming a republic by 55% to 45%. The referendum failed partly due to divisions among republicans over what model to adopt—a directly elected president or one chosen by parliament.
Mate, you'd think a royal scandal of this magnitude would be the perfect moment to revisit the republic question. But Albanese clearly doesn't want another failed referendum on his record.
The Prime Minister, a longtime republican, has previously said he would not pursue a referendum without broad public support and a clear model that could command consensus. The failure of the Voice to Parliament referendum in 2023 appears to have made him even more cautious about constitutional change.
Republican campaigners expressed frustration with the Prime Minister's stance. Australian Republic Movement chair Esther Anatolitis argued that the monarchy's ongoing controversies demonstrate exactly why Australia should have its own head of state.
Polling on the republic question has fluctuated over recent years. Support typically rises during royal scandals but has not reached the levels seen in the mid-1990s. The death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 prompted renewed debate, but King Charles III's accession did not trigger the republican surge some predicted.
Constitutional experts note that holding a successful referendum requires extensive preparation, cross-party support, and a clear proposal that can unite diverse republican factions. Albanese's government appears unwilling to commit the political capital required.
For now, Australia remains a constitutional monarchy, with the British sovereign as head of state. But the republic question isn't going away—it's just waiting for the right moment.
