Abbott admits he was left in the dark over Hockey’s republican push

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has admitted treasurer Joe Hockey did not inform him he would be helping lead the charge for Australia to become a republic.

Mr Hockey yesterday announced he would co-chair a cross-party Parliamentary Friendship Group with Labor senator Katy Gallagher aimed at renewing calls for an Australian head of state.

The republican campaign is backed by colleagues Malcolm Turnbull, Christopher Pyne and Wyatt Roy, among others.

The prime minister, who is in Queensland for his tour of northern indigenous communities, told Lisa Wilkinson on the TODAY Show this morning Mr Hockey had not consulted him over the announcement.

“No, we didn’t talk about this, because I suppose we’ve got bigger things on our minds most of the time,” Mr Abbott said from Injinoo. 

“There are lots of parliamentary friendship groups and this is just another one of them.”

A staunch monarchist, the prime minister was asked when he thought Australia would be “mature enough” to become a republic.

“We have the governor-general, who is effectively our head of state,” Mr Abbott said.

“We are a mature country, a very, very mature country, Lisa.

“I think one of the problems with the republican push, it seems to feel compelled in the way that you just have to suggest there’s some lack of maturity or some lack of independence in our system.

“I just don’t believe most Australians think that’s the case.“

Mr Abbott went on to say Australia was already an independent nation, despite our rule by the monarchy.

“I don’t think there’s anything small about us now,” Mr Abbott said.  

“I don’t think there’s any lack of standing on our own two feet now.”

The Australian Republic Movement group is co-chaired by Peter FitzSimons, Wilkinson’s husband.

Australians went to the polls in 1999 for a referendum on the issue, with the “No” vote winning 54.87 percent to 45. 13 percent.

Mr Turnbull led the Australian Republic Movement to that vote before entering parliament.