By Duncan Mackay
December 26 – Australian Republicans plan to use Prince William’s visit to the country next month to protest about his support for England’s campaign to host the 2018 World Cup ahead of their own bid.
William, the President of the Football Association, has publicly backed England’s bid and officials plan to use him extensively next year in the build-up to the final decision by FIFA in Zurich on December 2.
But the strong Republican movement in Australia have complained that, as a future head of state of Australia, William he should not be supporting England’s bid ahead of their own.
A poll in September among the Australian public showed 59 per cent of them favoured breaking ties with the Monarchy.
They now plan to organise what seems set to be a high-profile demonstration on January 21 when William is due to give an Australia Day address at Government House in Melbourne.
David Donovan, spokesman for the Australian Republican Movement, said: “We think that having an Australian as head of state is incredibly important and we also think William should support England’s bid with all the passion he obviously feels for England.
“He is, let us not forget, English.
“However, we feel that Australia requires a head of state that unambiguously supports Australia at sport and indeed puts Australia first in every arena.”
Earlier this month, Baroness Valerie Amos, Britain’s High Commissioner to Australia, risked upsetting her hosts by publicly claiming that England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup is much stronger than any of its rivals, including Australia’s.
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