WALL – In New Zealand, which is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and where Queen Elizabeth II is recognized as the ‘head of state’, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made her first assessment of the change in management after Elizabeth’s death. Ardern stated that the change of administration is “not something that is on the agenda of the government recently” and that this issue is “not urgent”. Ardern stressed that he did not consider the change of administration and the death of the queen as interconnected events.
According to AA, Ardern, who has expressed his support for the change of management many times before, said, “I believe that this (republic) is where New Zealand will arrive in time. “I believe it will happen in my lifetime.” Ardern also announced that September 26 was declared a public holiday in memory of the Queen and they will hold a memorial service for Queen Elizabeth II.
In Australia, Green Party leader Adam Bandt, in his condolence tweet after the death of the queen, emphasized that Australia should move forward and make a transition to a republic. Bandt, in his social media sharing, said, “Australia must move forward now. We need to be a Republic.”
Gaston Browne, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, announced that a referendum could be held in the country for the transition to the republic within 3 years.