Albanese was one of those who took part in Australia’s failed referendum in 1999 to replace the British monarch with the country’s head of state.
He said he accepted the choice of the majority of Australians to keep the country a constitutional monarchy rather than becoming a republic, and he would express that sentiment at the king’s coronation ceremony tomorrow, Saturday, in London.
Albanese told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation ‘ABC’: “I haven’t changed my position on this issue.. and I’ve been very clear, I want to see an Australian as President of Australia.. It doesn’t does not mean that you have no respect for the institution, which is the system of government.” What we have, and I believe that as Prime Minister of Australia I have a special responsibility to represent the nation in a way that respects existing constitutional arrangements. ”
The Australian Republic Movement, which campaigns for a republican Australia, urges Albanese to remain silent as the Archbishop of Canterbury invites ‘all who wish’ into the audience at Westminster Abbey to take the oath of allegiance to the king.
Albanese, however, said he would follow protocol in taking the oath, although his office did not respond when asked if Albanese intended to swear allegiance to the king or take the oath.
“I think people expect me as Australian prime minister not to attend the coronation of the king in order to stir up controversy,” Albanese said.
Albanese was raised Roman Catholic and chose not to take the oath on the Bible a year ago when he was appointed Prime Minister by Australian Governor-General David Hurley, who was then Queen Elizabeth II’s representative in Australia .
Albanese took a constitutional oath, a secular alternative to the oath, which made no mention of God or the king.
The eclectic Australian delegation accompanying Albanese to the coronation ceremony included David Hurley and the six Australian state governors.
The delegation is led by Australian women’s football star Sam Kerr, who currently plays for London’s Chelsea FC, as well as Nick Cave, a pioneer of post-punk rock – a form of rock music that emerged in the late 1970s – and comedian Adam Hills.
The Australian government will donate $6,700 as a coronation gift to a charity that preserves the Western Ground Parrot, an endangered Australian bird.
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