The British royal family is now preparing for the end of the Queen’s reign

Overnight a spokesperson for the UK Prime Minister has confirmed that when the
Commonwealth heads of government meet in England later this week they will decide
who will be head of the Commonwealth of Nations after the present Queen.

The 53 Commonwealth nations – including 32 Commonwealth republics – are about
to make a democratic decision about their next head. That is a good thing, and their
democratic decision should be respected. The position for Australians is the
opposite.

It is a disgraceful fact that without constitutional change the citizens of Australia will
not even be consulted on our next head of state. One morning we will simply wake up
to hear news from England that will change our country for decades to come. This
cannot stand.

If CHOGM is discussing succession – and if the British Royal Family itself is prepared to
make arrangements for after the Queen’s reign – Australia should certainly do the
same.

We should decide.

Australia should have a national vote on whether we have an Australian as our head
of state, and whether our head of state should be elected by the people or by the
Parliament, in 2020. A referendum should follow to put this in place by 2022.

But even for those who think Australia should be a republic after the Queen’s reign
ends, that means starting preparation today.
Michael Cooney, National Director and CEO, Australian Republic Movement