Republicans Undaunted By Poor Poll Result

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Change in Monarch May Change Views

Australian republicans are reported to be unsurprised by a recent poll that shows support for Britain’s feudal family at just over two percentage points above support for an Australian republic.

Former deputy PM Wayne Swan said that that poll should inspire republicans to “redouble efforts”. Geoff Gallop, who chairs the Australian Republican Movement, pointed to Australians who had voted in the 1999 referendum and remembered the constitutional crisis of 1975, when the Elizabeth Windsor’s representative in Australia dismissed the prime minister, as being more in favour of freeing their country from monarchy.

The poll for Fairfax Media suggested that 41.6% of Australians supported monarchy, with 39.4 favouring a republic. The remaining 19% were undecided.

Australians are already thinking about how support for the feudal family might change when Charles Windsor replaces his mother as their head of state. One example of the problems ahead is provided by Tony Abbott, current Prime Minister. He is a strong supporter of monarchy. However, his opinions on environmental issues are very different from those of the outspoken Charles. If Charles is unable to keep his mouth shut when he’s promoted from prince to king, some of his Australian admirers may have to think again


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