Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Australia.
Republican Movement Uses Satire to Spark Debate on Monarchy’s Role in Modern Australia
The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) has kicked off a satirical campaign branding King Charles's upcoming visit to Australia as the "farewell tour" of the British monarchy. The campaign, complete with merchandise like T shirts, beer coasters, and posters, portrays the King, Queen, and Prince of Wales as aging rock stars and encourages Australians to "wave goodbye to royal reign."
ARM's initiative aims to ignite debate about Australia's future as a constitutional monarchy and calls for a fully independent head of state. The campaign comes just before King Charles’s visit, which runs from 18 to 26 October. It marks his first trip to Australia in more than a decade and his longest since being diagnosed with cancer.
"We believe it's time for Australia to thank the monarchy and move forward with our own head of state," said ARM Co-Chair Esther Anatolitis. The movement cited research showing strong support for a republic or openness to the idea among Australians, though independent polling shows about 35% of people still favor the constitutional monarchy.
Monarchists, including the Australian Monarchist League (AML), have criticized the ARM's campaign, calling it disrespectful to King Charles, particularly given his current health challenges. Despite these tensions, King Charles has reiterated that it is up to Australians to decide their future regarding the monarchy.
Australia has held one referendum on becoming a republic, in 1999, which failed. Although public support for a republic has since grown, recent political momentum for another vote has stalled, especially after the overwhelming rejection of the Voice to Parliament referendum.
