The Australian Republic debate has gained a lot of traction this year. With Bill Shorten announcing last July that Labour would hold a plebiscite on the issue if elected. Well this plan seems close to becoming reality, with Shorten appointing a ‘Shadow Assistant Minister for an Australian Head of State’. So just how close are we to becoming a Republic?

The Daily spoke with Dr Stephen Alomes, Adjunct Professor at RMIT University, about what this appointment means for the Republican campaign.