Australia elections: Bill Shorten is calling for Australia to abolish the monarchy

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Mr Shorten, leader of the Labor Party, announced his plans to find an Australian head of state instead of “borrowing a monarch from the other side of the world” in his last speech before the vote. The vote to oust the monarch could take place as soon as 2021, Mr Shorten said ahead of Australia’s election on May 18. He told his supporters during a rally in Sydney: “After 250 years of borrowing a monarch from the other side of the world, it is time for an Australian head of state.”

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The last time Australia had a vote to become a republic in 1999 saw 55 percent of residents vote in favour of keeping the Queen as their head of state.

That referendum did not have the support of the Prime Minister of that period, as John Howard strongly campaigned against it.

A recent poll suggests a new referendum would see Australia vote in favour of ousting the Queen from the constitution.