Two lessons the new Assistant Minister for the Republic says must be learned from 1999

Australia’s first ever Assistant Minister for the Republic says there are two lessons to be learned from the failed 1999 referendum.

Matt Thistlethwaite joined Tom Elliott on Wednesday to discuss his new role.

He said an Australian vote on a republic wasn’t a “first term priority” for the Albanese government and they’d be taking their time in working out how to approach it.

But there are two key things he is keen to avoid again.

Firstly, the bid will need the support of the Prime Minister.

Secondly, there needs to be no division on the model from republicans themselves.

“I want to make sure we avoid those pitfalls,” Mr Thistlethwaite said on 3AW Drive.

“It’s not a first term priority for the Albanese government,” he said.

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