More than 35,000 Australians have signed the petition, raising concerns about whether taxpayer money could be used to cover costs related to the couple’s trip, including security and transport. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are scheduled to arrive in Australia in just a few weeks.
Concerns Over Public Spending
The petition, hosted on Change.org, argues that the visit should be treated strictly as a private matter. It states:
“The activities are private and commercial and must be treated strictly as a private visit.”
It also highlights broader financial pressures facing Australians, adding:
“At a time when Australians are facing significant cost-of-living pressures, including rising grocery bills, fuel prices, mortgage stress driven by interest rate hikes, and increasing energy costs, public resources must be used responsibly and applied fairly, without special treatment for high-profile individuals.”
So far, both federal and state authorities have not clarified who would cover any associated costs.
Sussexes’ Team Responds
In response, the couple’s spokesperson dismissed the concerns, insisting the trip is privately funded.
“It’s a moot point,” the spokesman told the Daily Mail.
“The trip is being funded privately, so I’m not sure what this petition hopes to achieve.”
He went further, criticizing the petition’s significance and impact:
“Of course, if you wanted to dive into the ridiculousness of this petition as an agenda for spreading misinformation, then one could equally hypothesise that there are approximately 26.5 million Australians (99.98 per cent of the population) who haven’t signed it,” he said.
“Who must therefore agree with the taxpayer picking up the tab for their visit.
“Of course, that is another equally stupid assertion to make.”
During their time in Australia, Meghan is expected to headline a women’s retreat in Sydney, where tickets reportedly cost thousands of dollars, while Harry will speak at a workplace mental health summit in Melbourne.
The couple have not visited the country since 2018, when they were still working royals and their tour was funded by taxpayers, including official security and accommodation arrangements.
Mixed Expectations and Public Reaction
Despite assurances that this visit is privately funded, debate continues. Critics remain concerned about optics and potential indirect costs, while supporters argue the backlash is overblown.