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Support for the monarchy among Labor voters has grown by nearly 20 per cent in the last 10 years, as the Queen’s death sparks renewed conversation about becoming a republic.
A Ray Morgan poll conducted in the immediate wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death has revealed overall support for the monarchy is up 5 per cent from November 2012 to 60 per cent.
The biggest drivers of the increased support are ALP voters.
In 2012, only 40 per cent of Labor voters supported retaining a constitutional monarch. Last week, the poll revealed 58 per cent felt no desire to change the current system.
More than two-thirds of Coalition voters believe Australia should remain part of the monarchy – although that is down 3 percentage points to 68 per cent from 2012.
Greens supporters overwhelmingly want Australia to become a republic, with only 34 per cent stating they want to remain a monarchy.
Independent and other parties voters are also moving more firmly in favour of the monarchy, with nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) expressing their wish to see King Charles remain as head of state.
Overall, the Ray Morgan poll shows 40 per cent of Australians favour becoming a republic – down 5 per cent from November 2012.
Meanwhile, a new poll by Guardian Australia suggests the public is divided 50-50 on the matter.
Ray Morgan chief executive Michele Levine said the royal family had experienced a renewed popularity in Australia.
“The growing prominence of younger royals such as the new heir to the throne, Prince William, his wife Catherine as well as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appear to have brought the royals new fans amongst a younger audience,” she said.
“Although there has been plenty of drama surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle that has at times proved frustrating for supporters of the royal family, it has not dented the popularity of the monarchy in Australia as shown by these results.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has in the past made it clear he is a republican, has said now is “not the time” to have a new debate about the country’s constitutional future.
He has said out of “deep respect and admiration” for the Queen, he would not “pursue questions about our constitution” unless he was re-elected.
He has made it clear his first priority is the constitutional reform to bring about an Indigenous Voice to parliament.
“Now is not a time to talk about our system of government,” he said in the lead-up to the Queen’s funeral.
“Quite clearly, this is a time of national mourning.”
On Tuesday morning, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman said as a democracy, people could express their views but disagreed with the notion the country was divided.
“I think at this point in time, with the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II, people have been incredibly respectful about where people might choose to express their views or recognising that some of those debates are more appropriately held over for another day,” he told ABC Radio.
“I don’t think it’s division. I think it’s acceptable in a robust democracy like Australia that people will have different views.”
Mr Gorman echoed Mr Albanese’s sentiment that now was “not the time” for the debate.
