Now is a time to show gratitude for the Queen’s “service to Australia, the Commonwealth and the world”, he said. The Queen’s death has reignited a debate about the country’s relationship with the monarchy and Mr Albanese has previously said the country needs an Australian head of state. Watch Sky News live from 10am. as a group carries the Queen’s coffin from Balmoral to Edinburgh But this period is a “time to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II” and show “deep respect and admiration”, not to pursue “questions about our constitution”, he said. The Prime Minister paid tribute to the Queen, saying she stood by Australia through good times and bad. “I think the Queen has been with Australians in times of celebration – the opening of this house, Parliament, in 1988, the opening of the Sydney Opera House during our great historic events, but she has also been with Australia in times of difficulty.” , he said. he said. “This is a country of cyclones, floods, natural disasters and Queen Elizabeth has always reached out to give that comfort to Australians in our time of need. “She was such a respected figure, no matter where people were on the political spectrum. Those 70 years of public service, that dedication to duty, that’s something that holds her in such high esteem.” Australians have said that part of the success of the Queen’s reign has been her ability to remain politically neutral for Australia. Mr Albanese said he was sure King Charles III would also be “very conscious of the need to stay above politics”. The Prime Minister continued: “He is someone who has a deep connection to Australia. I hope he will be able to visit here with a chance as soon as possible. “That, of course, is a substantial change. The only monarch we’ve known in my lifetime, and in the lifetime of most Australians, was Queen Elizabeth.” Asked if Australians wanted to see the institution of the monarchy evolve, Mr Albanese said: “It has evolved and will continue to evolve. It should continue to move with the times. “But the biggest questions about our constitution are not those of the current period. This is a period when we share the sadness that so many Australians feel right now, showing our deep respect and admiration for the Queen’s contribution to Australia. “It’s a sad moment. There’s also a moment to celebrate what has been a long life, well lived.”
The resurgence of the republican debate – analysis by Cordelia Lynch, Canberra
Anthony Albanese is a well-known Republican. In his first ministry he created the role of assistant minister for democracy, upsetting some monarchists. In 2018, he spoke of the need for a referendum on the transition to being a democracy as an “exciting opportunity”. But the prime minister has recognized the gravity of the moment, the need to show respect for the monarch and allow a country to mourn away from the spectrum of politics. However much Australia’s relationship with the institution may have faded, Mr Albanese knows there is an enduring love for Queen Elizabeth II. Any attempt to formally restart the debate on becoming a democracy could well be seen as odious and political opportunism. If Prince Charles has a successful start to his reign and avoids entangling himself in Australia’s political rifts, the democratic debate may well be kicked into the long grass. Others took a different position towards the prime minister. Greens leader Adam Budd waited only hours after the Queen’s death was announced to call on Australia to “move on” and become a democracy. The Australian Democracy Movement was also very quick to make its statement. In 1999, in the landmark referendum to decide whether Australia should replace Queen Elizabeth with a president, the Nos led 54.22% to 44.87% in the final count. Of Australia’s six states, only Victoria voted in favor of the proposal, and by the smallest margin – 49.6% for a democracy and 49.4% against. But a resurgence of democratic debate was perhaps inevitable in the wake of the Queen’s death – however awkward or inappropriate some may find it. It is carried out to varying degrees elsewhere in the Commonwealth, New Zealand and parts of the Caribbean. Everyone will be watching how their relationship evolves into a new era, the end of the second Elizabethan era. It is a challenge for King Charles to face and one that may push him to the brink of grief. The queen reigned during a period “which has seen more change than any era in human history,” he said. “The nature of technology and the way it has transformed the way our society works, Queen Elizabeth has been able to change with the times in terms of her interactions with the public. And King Charles, I’m sure, will do the same. “ Today marked the official proclamation of King Charles as King of Australia at a ceremony in the nation’s capital, Canberra. More on the King: Will Charles usher in a different type of reign? From school bullies to Diana – the events that shaped King Charles Pay tribute to the Queen Mr Albanese will travel to London to attend the Queen’s funeral and meet the new king. Australia will also have a public holiday to mark his death, which will take place on September 22, following his return from the UK. “I think it is important to commemorate the remarkable life and indeed the service that Queen Elizabeth gave to Australia as our head of state, for 70 years, the longest-serving British monarch ever,” he said. “But also [there is] great love from Australians to the Queen.”
