Anthony Albanese has said he doesn’t want to be a prime minister who “presides over just constitutional debates”, warning republicans in Australia that a referendum is not “imminent”.
The Australian prime minister made the comments in an interview with conservative broadcaster Piers Morgan during his visit to the UK for the coronation of King Charles III.
Albanese also confirmed that, despite being a “lifelong republican”, he will swear allegiance to the new king in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
Albanese had an audience with King Charles on Tuesday, said to be “insightful and rewarding”, in which the prime minister reiterated an invitation to the king and any members of the royal family to visit Australia.
After his election in May 2022 Albanese appointed an assistant minister for the republic, despite promising that an Indigenous voice to parliament and the executive was his priority for constitutional change.
The death of Queen Elizabeth II in September prompted debate in Australia about when it might become a republic, but Albanese largely steered clear of the topic out of respect for the queen.
Albanese told Morgan that he still “respects our institutions” and has “a great deal of respect for King Charles”.
Albanese said he had a “terrific meeting” with King Charles when he visited the UK for the Queen’s funeral, describing it as a “great honour” to represent Australia during “a real moment of reflection”.
“All Australians wish King Charles well, regardless of the different views people will have about our constitutional arrangements.”
Asked whether he would swear allegiance, Albanese replied he “will do what is entirely appropriate as the representative of Australia” promising to “engage in that spirit” by swearing the oath – as he has done 10 times previously, when sworn in to parliament and as a minister.
Albanese noted that Australians had voted at the 1999 referendum to remain a monarchy, but acknowledged a “wide range of views” on the idea of becoming a republic.
“I think that Australia should have an Australian as our head of state, I don’t shy away from that. I haven’t changed my views.
“But my priority is constitutional recognition [of Indigenous Australians] – I can’t imagine … as was suggested by some … that we should be having another referendum on the republic before that occurs.
“I think at some stage in the future that will occur … What I don’t want to do is to be a prime minister who presides over just constitutional debates.”
Albanese cited other priorities for his prime ministership including “dealing with the challenge of climate change, getting an economy that works for people, making more things in Australia, engaging in our region”.
“You’ll know [it’s time] because there’ll be a feeling from the bottom up as well. A demand for another vote isn’t something that can be imposed from the top because it won’t be successful.”
“When that demand is there, I’m sure about will be held … I don’t see it as being imminent.”
In a wide-ranging interview, Albanese was also asked “what is a woman” – a touchstone culture war issue for conservatives seeking to debate trans women’s claim to womanhood.
Albanese replied that a woman “is an adult female”, repeating a formulation that he used during Australia’s election campaign in which the conservatives’ campaign was distracted by preselecting a controversial candidate most famous for advocating the exclusion of trans women from sport.
Albanese said “we need to respect people for who they are”.
He said he was “not a fan” of the campaign that accompanied “a controversial visit in Australia that was designed to stir up issues”, in reference to Posie Parker’s trans-exclusionary women’s rights tour.
“People who are, you know, young people coming to terms with their identity and who they are, I think that they need to be respected,” Albanese said.
Albanese said sporting organisations were already dealing with whether to allow transgender athletes to compete, declining to express a personal view.
