Welcome to Republican Roundup, the monthly e-newsletter
of the Australian Republican Movement.
Chair's
report
The first half of March saw the completion of Prince Charles' visit and then the end of the longer visit of the Danish Royals, Frederick and Mary. I have been proud of the way that the ARM has stuck to its message of the need for an Australian Head of State, despite plenty of provocation from the media to descend into a discussion of personalities. We've received plenty of airtime and generally positive public reaction. It has been another good month for debate about an Australian republic.
As reported in March's
Republican Round Up Prince Charles' visit
saw a number of ARM activities. A small group of Victorian
republicans were a visible welcoming party on His Royal
Highness' arrival in Melbourne, while on Friday 4 March
I joined about 15 ACT ARM members outside Government
House, Yarralumla. I presented to the Federal Police
a letter to Charles and received a promise that it would
be passed on. Local media was positive. Our only 'opposition'
were a good-humoured group from the local TEA Club (The
English Association) whose very presence emphasised
our point that Charles was a foreign dignitary. By this
stage much of the media interest was British, with a
"What is the Commonwealth thinking?" angle. This focus
on the Commonwealth's
reaction
to recent developments has continued in media commentary.
On 22 March there was yet another media explosion about
Camilla Parker Bowles. On this occasion it was prompted
by a British Minister reporting that it might be "Queen
Camilla"
after all. Front page media reports the next day quoting
the National Director or myself, and an article in The
Australian by Allison, Off
with an English Head of State
were very positive.
I strongly believe that the ARM's response has been much more level-headed and responsible than our opponents. Clearly the whole Camilla business worries the monarchists much more than it does us and they are running around like headless chooks trying to head off any suggestion that Camilla is good for the republic and bad for monarchy. For our part, we have strenuously resisted media attempts to paint the latest "Queen Camilla" business as a defining moment for the republican cause. To go along with this idea would be short-term politics and ultimately counter-productive. What it does do is give us multiple media opportunities to put our consistent argument about the need for an Australian head of state rather than a foreign monarchy. The timetable is for Australians to decide. The reasons will be Australian not British. This is the message we will continue to emphasise during April in the inevitable publicity about Charles and Camilla's wedding.
A republican staffers meeting at Parliament House on 15 March was a great success and a real credit to the organisers. Thanks especially to Vince Taskunas (Tasmania) and Jo Pride (South Australia) who were instrumental in organising the function. About 40 staffers were present to hear short and humorous talks from Mitch Fifield (Liberal), Kate Ellis (Labor) and Andrew Bartlett (Democrats). Everyone enjoyed the wonderful republican non-partisan spirit. The ARM's forme Chair and now Member for Wentworth Malcolm Turnbull also dropped in to wish us well.
The saga of my correspondence with the Governor-General
continues. I have written again to Major-General Jeffrey
(my third letter since last November) asking for a meeting
to brief him about the ARM. I'm yet to receive an explicit
response. This time I have specifically raised the matter
of his patronage of the monarchists' Constitutional
Education Fund of Australia (CEF-A).
According to its website, CEF-A "has been established to help all Australians gain a better understanding of the Australian Constitution and the Constitutions of the States of Australia." The Governor-General is the Patron-in-Chief of CEF-A, which financially supports an annual Governor-General's prize for undergraduate students. CEF-A shares its Executive Director, Kerry Jones, with Australians for Constitutional Monarchy (ACM), and is run from the ACM's Sydney office. The ACM regularly appeals to its members to contribute to CEF-A. Despite the inclusion of several republican academics on its advisory board, the ARM and its members have not been approached to be involved in their program or activities.
While the ARM welcomes all initiatives to improve Australians'
constitutional awareness, we are sceptical that CEF-A
- with its links to an organisation dedicated to the
preservation of Australia's constitutional monarchy
- can possibly do this in an impartial manner. We also
question whether CEF-A is an appropriately independent
organisation for the GG - who stated in his Australia
Day address that he was "not advocating
changes to our existing system of government, nor …
supporting the status quo" - to be involved with. The
ARM's Chair, John Warhurst, has written to the Governor-General
concerning his involvement with CEF-A, while the ARM
continues to campaign for the establishment of a Joint
Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Education
and Awareness, as recommended by last year's Senate
Inquiry into an Australian Republic.
The Prime Minister recently responded to a number of questions on notice regarding the Governor-General and the organisations he is involved with.
14 Mar 2005 Governor
General Pages 101-106 (folios 117-122)
RECENT MEDIA
As reported in February's Republican Round Up , the announcement on 10 February of Prince Charles' forthcoming marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles prompted discussion of the possible constitutional implications for Australia. It also led to an immediate surge in new ARM members and supporters as Australians contemplated the appropriateness of our constitutional arrangements.
The subsequent Australian visit of our future Head of State, Prince Charles, and coincidental tour of the Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark, also provided many opportunities for public and media debate about an Australian republic.
On 22 March a British Minister responded to a question in the House of Commons that the forthcoming nuptials would not be a morganatic marriage (where titles, privileges and estates of a royal or noble spouse are prevented from being passed on to the partner of lesser status or rank). This response was contrary to initial advice from Prince Charles's representatives at Clarence House, and suggests that Camilla Parker Bowles will become Queen Camilla of Australia after all. On 4 April it was confirmed that Camilla Parker Bowles would also become the Princess of Wales upon her marriage. These developments again prompted considerable public and media debate.
4 Apr 2005 Camilla
will be Princess of Wales
Catriona Davies and Paul Chapman, Telegraph (UK)
A particular point of focus in this coverage has been the reaction within Commonwealth countries to the ongoing saga of his forthcoming wedding between Prince Charles and Ms Parker Bowles.
While constitutional dramas have been playing out in the UK, the Pacific island of Tuvalu is looking at cutting their constitutional ties with the monarchy.
It is again coming up to that time of the year when
we ask if you could please renew
your ARM membership.
For the first time since the 1999 referendum (and indeed
since the introduction of the GST) we will this year
be increasing our annual membership fees.
Standard membership will increase to $48 and Household membership to $60. Concession membership
for pensioners and students remains at $12. We are also
abolishing the pro-rata system so that these rates apply
throughout the membership year (1 June - 31 May). Any
new members joining from March-May will automatically
receive 13-15 months membership for the annual fee.
The rate rise reflects increased administrative costs
in running the ARM and we hope will reduce pressure
on other income streams, most particularly branch fundraising.
All current financial members will shortly receive their
renewal notices. We hope that you understand the need
to increase our rates and continue to support the ARM's
campaign for an Australian Head of State.
The ARM’s National Youth Convenor, Dylan Smith, is
particularly keen to continue to build partnerships
between youth organisations and the ARM. Already, a
number of university student unions, and some prominent
youth organisations have worked closely with Dylan to
generate an official statement and policy stance on
behalf of their organisations endorsing an Australian
as Head of State. If you are involved in any such groups,
or know of ones that you think would be best to contact,
please contact Dylan. Furthermore, if you know of any young people who ought
to be involved in the republican movement now is the
time to pass their details on! - Dylan and the State
Youth Convenor's would love to have them on board! A
special mention to new and continuing state youth convenor's
for their commitment to the cause: Tom Callachor (NSW);
Adam Phillips (QLD); Natasha Newman (WA); Shannon Schedlich-Day
(SA); Andrew Newman-Martin (ACT); David Webster (TAS)
& Adam Collins (VIC).
The ARM’s Women's Network was established in the aftermath
of the 1999 republican referendum, when it was revealed
that a greater proportion of women had voted against
the Republic. Polling since the referendum has consistently
identified a distinct hesitation in female support for
an Australian republic and women remain under-represented
in the ARM as both members and elected representatives.
The ARM has Women's Network coordinators within each
branch council. These coordinators recently met to discuss
the future direction of the Women’s Network, and to
plan activities for 2005. They want to hear from women
who want to get more involved in establishing an Australian
Republic. A variety of activities are being planned
around the country, so please contact National Co-Convenor
Jo Pride
if you want more info.
Republican Wedding Brunch, Sydney
Date: Saturday 9 April 2005
Time: 11.00 am
Venue: Silver Spring Restaurant
Address: 477 Pitt St Sydney
Cost: $20.00 (all you can eat yum cha)
RSVP: nsw@republic.org.au Flyer
Republican Pub Crawl, The Rocks, Sydney
Date: Friday 15 April 2005
6pm the palisade, bettington st
7pm lord nelson, kent st
8pm hero of waterloo
9pm the australian, cumberland st
$10 at the pub
Wear your ARM tshirt or cap!
Prizes to be won!
RSVP: nsw@republic.org.au
by 11 April 2005
QLD Republic Upstairs with Dr Doug McTaggart
Date: Thursday 21st April 2005
Time: 5.30pm for 6pm
Venue: Glassworks Wine Bar & Bistro (Upstairs)
Address: 26 Market Street, Brisbane CBD
Cost: $10 per head, includes entry & finger food ~ drinks
are at bar prices
RSVP: 1@dwmobrien.com
or 0407 363 368 Flyer
Republic In the Pub, Melbourne
with Dr Elizabeth Malcolm and Barry Everingham
Date: Wednesday April 27, 7pm
Venue: Celtic Club
Address: 320 Queen Street, Melbourne
Cost: $10 full / $7 concession.
Further information please contact Vic ARM Convenor,
Peter van Vliet, on 0437 361 261 Flyer
MAY
SA Annual Republican Fundraising Dinner with
Guest Speaker Bill Peach
Date: Friday 6 May 2005
Time: 7.00 for 7:30pm
Venue: West Adelaide Footballers Club
Address: 57 Milner Rd, Richmond
Cost: $45 per head ~ drinks at club prices
RSVP: Geoff 0417 086 768 or sa@republic.org.au Flyer
JUNE
Victorian ARM Annual Conference and Dinner
Date: Saturday 4 June 2005
Further details to come
ACT ARM Annual Dinner
Date: Saturday 4 June 2005
Further details to come
