Albanese: Now not the time to talk about republic

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said now was "not the time" to talk about the nation becoming a republic. He made that comment while speaking with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Sunday, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II earlier in the week.

Anthony Albanese, Australian Prime Minister said "Well, my views on that, of course, are well known, and well documented. But now is not a time to talk about our system of government. Now is a time for us to pay tribute to the life of Queen Elizabeth, a life well lived. A life of dedication and loyalty, including to the Australian people and for us to honour and grieve at the loss. Also today we will be of course, commemorating the Proclamation of King Charles III as Australia's Head of State. That's the system of government that we have. It's one which as Australian Prime Minister I have a responsibility to respect."

Many regarded Australians’ respect and affection for the late Queen Elizabeth II as the biggest obstacle to the country becoming a republic with its own head of state. Now after her death and with a pro-republic Labor Party government in power, Australia’s constitutional ties to the British monarchy will again be open to first-order debate for the first time since change was rejected at a 1999 referendum.