Australian Governor-General slammed for insensitive comments about the Queen
The Australian Governor-General has been slammed for making insensitive comments about the Queen during the Platinum Jubilee.
David Hurley, the Australian representative of Her Majesty, was in the UK for the Jubilee celebrations and appeared as a guest on Ben Fordham’s 2GB program.
Fordham asked Hurley about the possibility of Australia becoming a republic, however the response was not well received by listeners.
"I think at the moment people centre on the Queen, and then when she goes, when she passes, then the succession comes in, there's a new discussion in Australia," Hurley said.
Fordham immediately questioned what Hurley meant when he said “when she goes?”
“It's her big celebration. Imagine going to someone's anniversary or birthday party and saying 'now listen, when she's gone’.”
"We don't talk about that now. You're over there representing Australia and it hasn't gone down well I can tell you."
Some comments from listeners included: "Disgraceful, whose side is he on?"
“Very poor taste,” another commented.
"How insensitive can you get? And while he may be correct, I think it was a bizarre comment to be making during this very important celebration,” someone else said.
Fordham that despite her mobility issues, the Queen was “impressive” by making appearances during the Jubilee.
Hurley’s comments come just days after Matt Thistlethwaite, the Assistant Minister for the Republic, said it was time for Australia to think about what comes next when the Queen passes away.
"I'd like to congratulate the Queen on her jubilee and her reign. I think she's been a fantastic monarch and leader of the commonwealth,” Thistlethwaite said.
"But as she comes to the twilight of her reign I think Australians are naturally beginning to ask themselves what comes next for Australia.
"Do we want King Charles or are we mature enough or independent enough to look to appoint one of our own as our head of state?"
Ben said the comments from both Hurley and Thislethwaite were “appalling”.
Image: Getty