Republicans in NZ, Australia hold fire

Republicans in Australia and New Zealand held back on demands for a removal of the British monarch as head of state yesterday, biding their time as tributes poured in for the late Queen Elizabeth. The head of the Australian Republic Movement, journalist Peter FitzSimons, said it is "unlikely we will ever see a monarch as respected or admired by the Australian people again". But the group took the opportunity to argue that the queen "backed the right of Australians to become a fully independent nation during the referendum" in 1999. That vote, which asked Australians whether the country should become a republic with a president, saw 55 percent of people say "no". Republicans in New Zealand struck a similarly respectful tone after waking to news of Elizabeth's death. "The passing of a family member is always a sad moment and New Zealanders, regardless of their views on Aotearoa's head of state, will send aroha (sympathies)," said Louis Holden, chair of New Zealand Republic. He added that the group would be making no further statement until after the queen's funeral.