Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten is calling for Australia to become a republic.
The ABC has reported that speaking at a book launch in Melbourne, Mr Shorten said the dream of Australia having a head of state needed to be renewed. "Let us declare that our head of state should be one of us. Let us rally behind an Australian republic - a model that truly speaks for who we are, our modern identity, our place in our region and our world. Mr Shorten also called on supporters to back the recognition of Indigenous Australians in the constitution.
{youtube}I-VROFP2d-A{/youtube}
A referendum held on the subject in 1999 managed to secure 45% of the vote, but in recent years support has dwindled. According to data from the ABC's Vote Compass tool, in the lead-up to the 2013 federal election, only 38 per cent of Australians supported cutting ties to the monarchy.
The last five Australian prime ministers have all been in favour, so would the motion get up if a referendum were had today? Part of the problem for the defeat 15 years ago was the division among the yes protagonists concerning how the change should be implemeted.
{youtube}rNM3iyCH4do{/youtube}
