MP backs calls to ditch monarchy

AAP

HUNDREDS turned out to welcome Prince William to Australia yesterday, but Ipswich MP Shayne Neumann was less than enthusiastic.

With Australia Day approaching, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has foreshadowed another push for a republic.

Queenslanders came out strongly against the referendum on the republic in 1999 with about 62 per cent saying they were happy with the current system.

But Mr Neumann, the Federal Member for Blair, said times had changed since the referendum and the debate should resume.

“Australia has had more than a century of Federation and it’s about time we had our own head of state,” Mr Neumann said.

“The British monarchy is a sectarian beast and the Queen doesn’t promote Australian interests.”

Prominent Ipswich republican Paul Tully said an Australian republic might become a more realistic option if Charles and Camilla became King and Queen.

Cr Tully said it was inevitable, but there was still a lot of positive sentiment in the community for the Queen and the Monarchy.

He said the debate was not on people’s minds like health, education and the economy but that could change.

“When Charles and Camilla become King and Queen of Australia then people might decide it’s time for change,” Cr Tully said.

But Ipswich RSL sub-branch president Phil Gilbert said the Queen was an important figure in Australian life.

“The Queen promotes the Commonwealth and we’re part of it,” Mr Gilbert said.

“The Governor General is our head of state and I’m happy with that.”

With excitement over Prince William’s visit, Queensland secretary of Australia for Constitutional Monarchy Malcolm Badgery said the republic was dead.

“The question was settled in 1999 after 10 years of debate. The best republican model was put forward in the referendum and the result was a landslide, ‘No’,” Mr Badgery said.

He said young people increasingly supported the monarchy.