Following a recent reshuffling of the government's front bench by the prime minister, the Australian Republic Movement was contacted by the individual who previously held the role of preparing the nation for a transition to a republic after the last federal election. Despite the abolishment of this republic ministerial role, Matt Thistlethwaite reassured the movement that the separation from the monarch was still on the agenda, albeit with a potential delay that some find concerning.
Esther Anatolitis, the new co-chair of the Australian Republic Movement, remains undisturbed by the decision to scrap the assistant ministry, emphasizing that it does not signify a change in policy or commitment from the Australian government. There is a shared sentiment among senior Labor sources that while an Australian republic is viewed as inevitable in the future, the present circumstances do not favor the immediate need for an assistant minister to lead the project forward.
Labor backbencher Mike Freelander expressed disappointment over the decision to abolish the assistant minister position, attributing the government's focus on addressing cost-of-living concerns as a reason for the shift in priorities. Factors such as economic stability, sustained government tenure, and a significant groundswell of public support would need to align before a referendum on the republic is deemed politically feasible. Reflecting on recent referendum setbacks, including the Voice referendum's defeat last year, there appears to be a cautious approach toward rushing into another significant constitutional change like establishing a republic.