This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/jan/25/malcolm-turnbull-too-scared-of-his-party-to-push-republican-debate-says-shorten

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Malcolm Turnbull too scared of his party to push republican debate, says Shorten Malcolm Turnbull too scared of his party to push republican debate, says Shorten
(7 months later)
The Labor leader, Bill Shorten, will declare the prime minister is too scared of his own party to champion the debate about Australia becoming a republic.The Labor leader, Bill Shorten, will declare the prime minister is too scared of his own party to champion the debate about Australia becoming a republic.
Shorten is expected to use an Australia Day address to renew his call for momentum in the republican debate.Shorten is expected to use an Australia Day address to renew his call for momentum in the republican debate.
While noting “it’s clearly not the most important issue facing Australia right now”, Shorten will nonetheless criticise Malcolm Turnbull for not elevating the issue.While noting “it’s clearly not the most important issue facing Australia right now”, Shorten will nonetheless criticise Malcolm Turnbull for not elevating the issue.
“For the first Australia Day in our history, the leaders of both major parties are avowed republicans,” the opposition leader will say. “Today I say to the prime minister, let us work together to seize this moment, to lead the movement for change.“For the first Australia Day in our history, the leaders of both major parties are avowed republicans,” the opposition leader will say. “Today I say to the prime minister, let us work together to seize this moment, to lead the movement for change.
Related: State and territory leaders unite to call for republic
“If only we had a prime minister who wasn’t so afraid of his own political party that he would champion a cause he believes so strongly in.”“If only we had a prime minister who wasn’t so afraid of his own political party that he would champion a cause he believes so strongly in.”
Shorten used an Australia Day address in 2015 to call for a renewed republican debate. He believes Australia does not have to wait “for a change of monarch” to renew efforts to secure an Australian as head of state.Shorten used an Australia Day address in 2015 to call for a renewed republican debate. He believes Australia does not have to wait “for a change of monarch” to renew efforts to secure an Australian as head of state.
“A new generation of Australians deserves their chance to have a say,” Shorten will say in the speech. “The choice of when we become a republic, should be our choice.”“A new generation of Australians deserves their chance to have a say,” Shorten will say in the speech. “The choice of when we become a republic, should be our choice.”
His remarks come as most state and territory leaders have joined forces to call for an Australian head of state in a declaration organised by the Australian Republican Movement.His remarks come as most state and territory leaders have joined forces to call for an Australian head of state in a declaration organised by the Australian Republican Movement.
Only the West Australia premier, Colin Barnett, demurred on the basis that now was not the right time to pursue the issue.Only the West Australia premier, Colin Barnett, demurred on the basis that now was not the right time to pursue the issue.
On Monday Turnbull hosted a reception for the finalists for the Australian of the Year award at the Lodge.On Monday Turnbull hosted a reception for the finalists for the Australian of the Year award at the Lodge.
Related: Rosie Batty’s legacy: more women leaving abusive relationships
The prime minister will unveil the winner of the 2016 award on Monday night, at the national celebration on the forecourt of Parliament House.The prime minister will unveil the winner of the 2016 award on Monday night, at the national celebration on the forecourt of Parliament House.
Turnbull paid tribute to the outgoing Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty, at Monday’s morning tea. “You have been a tireless advocate, an inspiring, charismatic leader on this [domestic violence] issue.”Turnbull paid tribute to the outgoing Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty, at Monday’s morning tea. “You have been a tireless advocate, an inspiring, charismatic leader on this [domestic violence] issue.”
“You’ve suffered a terrible loss because of domestic violence and we acknowledge that and we give you again our love and sympathy for that loss,” the prime minister said. “But we admire what you have given and we thank you for what you have given in response.”“You’ve suffered a terrible loss because of domestic violence and we acknowledge that and we give you again our love and sympathy for that loss,” the prime minister said. “But we admire what you have given and we thank you for what you have given in response.”
Turnbull said the government would provide a $500,000 grant to the Luke Batty Foundation “to support Rosie’s continued advocacy on gender equality and violence against women and their children”.Turnbull said the government would provide a $500,000 grant to the Luke Batty Foundation “to support Rosie’s continued advocacy on gender equality and violence against women and their children”.