Australia may have taken a step closer to becoming a republic with the election today of the anti-monarchist Labour Leader Kevin Rudd.

Although the issue has certainly not been top of the agenda in an election campaign which has resulted in the end of John Howard’s premiership and eleven years of conservative rule, a spokesman for the new leader announced ahead of today’s result: "We will hold a plebiscite on the question of Australia becoming a republic – probably in our first term."

Such a move as this would not be legally binding but could ultimately see the nation embarking on a further bruising debate as to whether Australia should elect a homegrown President, thereby ending the country's historic ties to the monarchy.

Although it should be noted that he does appear to have pulled back from this view as today's election victory loomed  ever closer, Kevin Rudd has previously said when asked his position on the future of the monarchy Down Under: "We're going to consult the people again."