Critics attack republicans’ ‘inhumane’ gesture as all of Australia’s state premiers snub Charles
All six of Australia’s state premiers have shunned King Charles’s historic visit this week.
They have been branded “petty” and “mean” by critics who said the monarch will be warmly welcomed by ordinary Australians.
Charles, 75, has put his cancer treatment on hold to ensure the six-day trip can go ahead – yet the Australian Republic Movement (ARM) have vowed to make the visit the “Monarchy Farewell Oz Tour”.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The six state premiers, five of them from the Left-wing Labor Party, say they are too busy with other commitments to welcome him – even though the tour was organised months ago.
These include New South Wales leader Chris Minns and South Australia’s Peter Malinauskas.
Commentator Phil Dampier called the politicians “rude and disrespectful”.
And royal biographer Tom Bower said that Charles’s visit will be a great success and the majority of Australians are behind him.
He added: “The republicans do their cause no good by seeking to embarrass a sick man who is doing his duty by travelling across the world at the request of the Australian government.
“They expose themselves as petty and, worse, inhumane in not acknowledging the King’s personal sacrifice to do his duty.”
Charles, who is head of state of Australia, and Camilla are due to arrive in the country on Friday.
Victoria state premier Jacinta Allan won’t be attending the welcome event for the King in Canberra next Monday.
Chris Minns says he cannot attend because of a cabinet meeting but reportedly will attend other events that are planned for the King.
Queensland premier Steven Miles says he will be busy with his election campaign and Tasmanian leader Jeremy Rockliff, a Left-leaning liberal, is on a US trade mission.
Peter Malinauskas says he has a regional cabinet meeting while a spokesman for Western Australia’s premier Roger Cook would only say he has “other commitments”.
The controversy comes as a new poll in Australia showed support for the monarchy remains high.
The survey in Sydney’s Daily Telegraph found one in four Australians have a more favourable view of King Charles than they did before he was crowned.
And just one in three thought Australia should become a republic – down from 45 per cent in the 1999 referendum.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
