London: Prominent Labor MP Ed Husic says Prince Harry and Meghan's decision to quit the "antiquated" royal family shows that Australia should also "call time" on the monarchy.

The push for an Australian republic has largely stalled since its defeat in the 1999 referendum with even Malcolm Turnbull, who headed the failed campaign for change, urging any renewed push to begin only after Queen Elizabeth's reign ended.

Australia should "call time" on the monarchy, says Labor MP Ed Husic. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Failed Labor Leader Bill Shorten pledged a two-stage referendum if he won government but his unexpected loss appeared to have set back the referendum cause even further, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison an avowed monarchist.

But Mr Husic told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age Prince Harry and Meghan's decision to quit palace life – dubbed "Megxit" – for a "progressive new role" showed Australia that it too could be better off by cutting the cord.