SYDNEY — Prime Minister Anthony Albanese downplayed prospects for a referendum to end Britain’s monarchy as Australia’s head of state Friday, despite his republican leanings, following the arrest of former Prince Andrew on misconduct charges.
Albanese called Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s detention, linked to sending potentially classified documents to Jeffrey Epstein “an extraordinary fall from grace” from a life of privilege. Yet he ruled out a vote to remove King Charles, citing the failed 2023 Indigenous Voice referendum during his first term and Australia’s history of rejecting constitutional change, including the narrow 1999 vote against ditching Queen Elizabeth II.
“I’m a Republican… but referendums are hard to pass,” Albanese told The Guardian, praising his rapport with Charles while insisting on an Australian head of state long-term.
A 2024 YouGov poll showed 37% favoring a republic, 43% opposed, and 20% undecided, mirroring resistance since federation in 1901. The scandal revives debate on colonial ties but faces uphill odds amid recent ballot fatigue.