Joe Hockey's call for new referendum on Australian republic sparks backlash from own party

Treasurer Joe Hockey joined hands with Labor senator Katy Gallagher to convene a pro-republican group within the parliament. The republican cause demands for a national vote every five years to select the head of the state.

By supporting a republican concept, Hockey has not only placed himself against Prime Minister Tony Abbott, but has also brought himself at a point of disagreement with several other pro-monarchist members of the party. It is well known that Mr Abbott is an active opponent of the concept.

Australian Republican Movement Chairman Peter FitzSimons hopes that Australia assumes the republican method. He also hopes Mr Abbott is the last monarchist prime minister of the country. "After that, hopefully the stars will align and we will get an Australian prime minister and an Australian opposition leader who are both republicans," FitzSimons told the National Press Club on Wednesday.

Deputy Prime Minister of Australia Warren Truss is annoyed with the move. According to him, the opinions of the people have not changed much and thus it would be wiser to worry about things that matter the most to the progress of the country. FitzSimons is however hopeful that if a plebiscite is held. He said a recent poll showed that 47 percent of those polled wanted an Australian in place of the Queen whereas 57 percent supported a national referendum be held by 2020.

"The central thing is to decide among us, yes we want to be a republic, then we will sort out how we are going to do it and then we will get to the actual technicalities," he said.

The republic is one of the “two major priorities for constitutional change” for Bill Shorten, the other being indigenous recognition referendum.

The spokesperson for Hockey said that he has advocated the cause for a long time now. “They are a matter of public record. Those views haven’t changed,” she said.

The Republican movement took a backstage after a defeat on 1999 referendum despite clear chances of victory. Senator Gallagher said that she was surprised with the kind of attention the group had received but believes Hockey’s involvement would add a considerable weight to the movement. "I would like to see a republic in my lifetime and my participation is about hopefully delivering that one day," she told ABC radio.

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