(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Fewer adults in Australia are in favour of abolishing the monarchy, according to a poll by Roy Morgan International. 45 per cent of respondents want Australia to become a republic with an elected president, down six points since February 2005.

Australia—independent from Britain since 1901—held a referendum on whether to become a presidential republic in 1999. The pro-monarchy side won the vote, receiving 55 per cent of all cast ballots.

Queen Elizabeth II has been the monarch of 16 independent nations since February 1952. Prince Charles is first in line to succeed the Queen, followed by his two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.

Current Australian prime minister and Australian Labor Party (ALP) leader Kevin Rudd supports the republican model. Former head of government John Howard—who led a coalition of Liberals and Nationals—actively campaigned for the continuation of the monarchy in the 1999 plebiscite.

Last month, Rudd discussed his views on whether a new referendum should be held, saying, "I view it this way, you need to have consensus behind you."

Former foreign minister Alexander Downer dismissed the idea, saying, "You can’t change the constitution without causing unintended consequences. It simply isn’t worth the trouble. This is not about the Queen or Prince Charles. It is an argument about our constitution."

Polling Data

In your opinion, should Australia remain a monarchy—or become a republic with an elected president?

Source: Roy Morgan International
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 650 Australian adults, conducted on May 3 and May 4, 2008. No margin of error was provided.

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