Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE starting June 12 2026

Republicans want head of state trial run

A new process for appointing the next Governor-General could be a trial run for an Australian head of state, the Australian Republican Movement believes.

Republicans want the appointment of the next Governor-General to be a trial run for choosing an Australian head of state.

This could involve a public vote, nominations moved by parliament or a parliamentary vote, Australian Republic Movement chairman Peter FitzSimons wrote in a letter to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Mr Turnbull was a founding member of the ARM.

National director Michael Cooney says the movement wants a national vote on questions of an Australian head of state in 2020 and a referendum to change the constitution in 2022.

"We believe Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, women and Indigenous Australians should have an equal opportunity to serve," he said.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Labor leader Bill Shorten suggested on Sunday any move toward a republic should happen alongside a treaty with indigenous Australians.

"I think it's remarkable that over two centuries after first European settlement we are still borrowing a very worthy person but a monarch from another country," he told Sky News.

But the Australian Monarchist League warned Mr Shorten was making a "huge blunder".


1 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world