Prince William has won hearts on his Australian tour but republicans are impervious to his charm, they want to lose the monarchy as soon as possible.
The Australian Greens want a plebiscite on a republic this year, and the federal government is considering a referendum on the issue if they win the election.
That could mean William would never visit as King of Australia, the title he is in the queue to hold.
Greens leader Bob Brown said Prince William would barrack for England at this year's soccer World Cup and that said it all.
"Well what about Australia if he's the future king of Australia?" Senator Brown told reporters in Canberra.
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"We need an Australian as head of this great country of ours."
The Greens leader denied it was rude to greet William's visit with calls for a republic, describing the prince as "a great young bloke".
"He wouldn't be a good king of Australia but he would be a fantastic king of England."
The Greens want a plebiscite on a republic to be held with this year's federal election.
NSW Premier backs debate
NSW Premier Kristina Keneally, who has hosted William with a smile in recent days, threw her support behind a debate on becoming a republic.
The US-born premier said the Australian public was never "shy about having a debate about its future".
The federal government was more cautious but did float some support for a republic.
Attorney-General Robert McClelland told The Australian Financial Review that Labor would consider holding a referendum on a republic next term.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd backs a republic but seems to be in no hurry to bring one about.
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said there were "no present plans" for a referendum.
"The referendum on the republic is something that will happen at some point in the future, but our focus now is on delivering things that make a difference for Australian families," she told reporters in Adelaide.
Opposition response
Federal opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey said it was "incredibly disappointing" the government was pushing the republican agenda when it had more important things to do, like fixing hospitals.
Australians voted "no" to a republic in 1999, although republicans said the issue became confused with what form a republic should take.
Some support the public directly electing a president, others think parliament should choose.
Australia is a constitutional monarchy and Queen Elizabeth II is the country's sovereign.
One of her official titles is "by the Grace of God Queen of Australia", according to the website of the British monarchy.
A plebiscite allows the government to put an issue before the people to gauge the national mood but to change the constitution a referendum must be held and approved by a majority of electors and a majority of states.
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