Our national identity: Shorten's vision

Bill Shorten has set down the markers for a modern Australia as he prepares to meet the nation's future monarch.

The Labor leader, a firm republican, has a scheduled meeting with Prince Charles in Canberra on Wednesday.

Mr Shorten nominated an Australian republic, marriage equality and constitutional recognition of indigenous people as "speaking for our national identity".

"They're all part of what Australia needs to be in the future," he told ABC radio.

Mr Shorten said he was probably more passionate right now about opposing GST changes and securing jobs.

"But Australians can multi-task - they can talk about more than one issue at a time."