LABOR has learned lessons from the failed 1999 campaign for Australia to become a republic, says the shadow minister appointed to officially manage the future transition.

In a reshuffle of his frontbench today, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten appointed NSW MP Matt Thistlethwaite to be the first ‘Shadow Assistant Minister for an Australian Head of State’.

Mr Thistlethwaite told News Corp that Labor wants to build a Republic for the people.

“We’ll make sure this time that it’s not seen as a politicians’ republic, it’s not seen as something that’s coming from Canberra,” he said.

“That’s why Bill’s appointed me to this position, to get out in the community.

“I’m going to work with other political parties but most importantly I’m going to work with the Australian people to build this consensus for this important change to our Constitution.”

Mr Shorten announced the appointment today as part of the push to break away from Britain and become a Republic.

Mr Thistlethwaite said as a “proud and patriotic” Australian, he despaired that a local could not become the head of state.

Honoured 2 b appointed shadow ass’t minister for #Australian Head of State. Look f’ward to working with all Australians on important reform — Matt Thistlethwaite (@MThistlethwaite) October 24, 2017

“I’ve got four young daughters and I despair of the fact that they can’t aspire to hold this very important position in our nation’s Constitution -they can aspire to do anything they like in modern day Australia, but they can’t hold the most important position in our

nation’s Constitution,” he said.

“That doesn’t reflect modern day Australia, it doesn’t reflect the people that we are, our multi-culturalism, our independence, and our confidence, and it will be my role to work with the Australian community and the Australian people to build a consensus for this change and hopefully make it a successful reform to our Constitution.”

Today’s appointment comes after Mr Shorten announced in July he would hold a compulsory plebiscite on whether Australia should become a republic within the first term of his government if Labor won the next election.

The question would be: “Do you support an Australian Republic with an Australian Head of State?”

Mr Thistlethwaite’s appointment today is the first major step towards the implementation of that plan.

The Australian Republic Movement believes Australia could become a republic within five years, if political leaders follow the timeline of a national vote in 2019 and a referendum in 2022.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, the founder and long-time supporter of the movement, has previously said he would not push for change until after Queen Elizabeth’s reign.

A special Newspoll taken for The Australianin August shows a narrow majority of Australians (51 per cent) support the push to become a republic, while 38 per cent are opposed and 11 per cent are undecided.

Mr Shorten’s frontbench reshuffle — prompted by Labor MP Kate Ellis’ announcement of her pending retirement from politics — will cut the number of shadow ministers by one to 31.

The departure will mean a pay rise for Shadow Assistant Treasurer Andrew Leigh, who was pushed back to backbench pay in 2016 in another reshuffle.

Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek has picked up extra responsibilities, taking on Training in addition to her roles as shadow minister for Education and Women.

Labor Senator Doug Cameron will add TAFE to his current responsibilities as Shadow Minister for Skills and Apprenticeships and Labor MP Amanda Rishworth will take on Early Childhood Education and Development, in addition to her current role as Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs.

Mr Shorten thanked Ms Ellis for 13 years of “outstanding” parliamentary service when announcing the appointments in a party room meeting today.

“I know she will approach the next chapter of her life with the same hard work, honest charm and genuine concern for the lives of her fellow Australians,” he said.

“In the meantime, we hope Kate, David and their growing family enjoy some well-earned time together at home.”