News
ARM MEDIA RELEASE
March 2008
AUSTRALIANS 'FOREIGNERS' IN UK BUT THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND STILL REIGNS OVER US
The British Government has announced that Australians will soon be forced to carry identity cards in Britain - prompting fresh calls for Australia to become a republic. Citizens of European Union member nations such as Latvia, Estonia and Bulgaria will not be required to carry identity cards, but Australians will.
"This is the just the latest in a long series of policies which proves how absurd our current constitutional arrangements are. Australians are now officially considered as 'foreigners' in the United Kingdom but the Queen of England remains our sovereign," said Australian Republican Movement Chair, Major General Mike Keating.
"The question for Australians and the Rudd Government is how long will we continue to be a constitutional monarchy under the British Crown, while the British Government officially regards all Australians as foreigners from the Asia-Pacific region.
"The United Kingdom decided decades ago that its economic future was in Europe and not with its former colonial empire. As Australians we need to have the maturity to accept that our destiny is also in our hands. We should stand on our own two feet as an Australian republic.
"The 2020 summit represents the perfect opportunity to have a debate about Australia's republican destiny. Let's get on with it", said Major General Keating.
For further information contact Peter van Vliet on 0417 489 226.
ARM MEDIA RELEASE
April 2008
ARM WELCOMES PRIME MINISTER'S COMMENTS AND CALLS ON THE AUSTRALIA 2020 SUMMIT TO CONSIDER THE REPUBLIC
The Australian Republican Movement today welcomed the Prime Minister's comments that he welcomed an "accelerated" public debate on the republic. The ARM also today called on participants at the Australia 2020 Summit to fully consider the republican question.
"The Australian Republican Movement welcomes the Prime Minister's recognition that this is an important national debate. Ultimately the debate about an Australian republic must be led by the Australian people themselves but there is no reason why we cannot have a plebiscite on the question of whether we should become a republic at our next federal election," said Major General Mike Keating, Chair of the Australian Republican Movement.
"The 2020 Summit is the perfect opportunity to reconsider this critically important national debate following our Prime Minister's comments yesterday. The summit's stated aim is to build a long term strategy for the nation's future. What can be more important to our future than Australia standing on its own two feet unfettered by our current formal allegiance to the British Crown.
The ARM's submission to the Summit argues that if we are to renew our democracy the Australian Governance section of 2020 must consider whether an unelected foreign monarch should continue to reign over us. Summit participants should consider the fact that the current Australian Constitution places the Queen of the United Kingdom at the apex of our political system.
"Our status as a constitutional monarchy under the British Crown diminishes our democracy and ultimately our pride in ourselves as Australians. It makes a mockery of our claim to be an egalitarian nation", said Mike Keating.
"The republic is the most powerful symbol of constitutional renewal and invokes the core values of Australian democracy. There is a growing feeling that there should be more to our national life than just the 'bottom line'.
"The hugely important symbolic and unifying benefits of becoming a Republic should be something our best and brightest at 2020 should embrace. The Australian people need to be fully engaged in this process and 2020 is a great place to start," said Major General Keating.
The ARM is asking the Summit to call on the Government and Opposition to work together to make Australia's transition to a Republic with an Australian Head of State a national priority.
Further comments: Mike Keating (ARM National Chair) 0412 337 137
Peter van Vliet (ARM Media Liaison) 0417 489 226
8/4/08
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ACT Council looks to lunchtime meetings
One of the suggestions to come from a recent members' forum was the suggestion that many members would like to have the opportunity to attend republican meetings during the day.
This demand arises from changed lifestyles, the fact that many busy people prefer a lunchtime meeting to having to go out again for 'another night-time meeting'.
The fact also is that a good number of long-time loyal ARM members are getting into an age bracket where they are more interested in daytime rather than evening activities.
The ACT Branch is therefore planning to hold a series of trial lunchtime meetings, in addition to the regular monthly evening meeting.
"We are confident that there are many members, and perhaps potential members, who will be attracted to a lunchtime meeting", said Convenor, Terry Fewtrell.
In many cases, members who can't make evening meetings, simply miss the contact with other republicans and the chance for contact, conversation and being informed of developments.
"At this strategically important time we need to be reaching out to members and others in the community in whatever ways we can. It is likely that the interest and preference expressed by ACT members would be replicated in other parts of the country," said Mr Fewtrell.
"I would urge all branches to look at differing times for meetings and contact among republicans."
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RUDD AND THE REPUBLIC: THE DEVELOPING STORY
Republic an issue, not a priority
April 03, 2008
PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd today promised that Labor would not walk away from the issue of an Australian republic, but reaffirmed it was not a priority for the government.
Rudd was asked the question on whether Australia was still considering becoming a republic by a former British Labour MP after a speech he gave at the European Policy Centre in Brussels.
"I have said it isn't a first ... priority, we have other challenges," Mr Rudd said.
"But it remains part of our platform as a political party.
"It isn't something that we can walk away from."
(AAP)
Rudd backs Republic before meeting Queen
April 06, 2008
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has reaffirmed his personal support for an Australian Republic a day before he is due to travel to Windsor Castle to meet the Queen.
Mr Rudd, who is in London for a four-day visit, has repeatedly expressed that it's not a priority for his Labor government, which is keen to concentrate on more practical issues like the economy.
He has been eager to make clear to the electorate he's no Paul Keating - his immediate Labor predecessor as prime minister who was preoccupied with "big picture" issues like a republic.
But in an interview on BBC One, broadcast in Britain, Mr Rudd admitted it was something he eventually would like to see happen.
"Our position as a party is clear - we are committed to an Australian republic. I am a republican and that is what we will work towards over time, but it is not a top order priority just now," he said.
Last week, when pressed on the issue by a former British MP at a forum in Brussels, the prime minister pledged Labor would not walk away from the issue because it was party policy, but had failed to make clear his personal opinion.
Mr Rudd wouldn't be drawn whether the issue would come to a head when the crown passed to either Prince Charles, the heir to the thrown, or Prince William, his son and second in line.
"Her Majesty, the Queen, is regarded with much respect right across (the board, by) all Australians," he said.
"I'm sure Australians will begin talking about this as time goes by, that's normal and natural.
"But I am not going to deliver (a timeline) to you."
(AAP)
Nelson says Rudd right not to push republic
April 07, 2008
An Australian republic may one day eventuate but Prime Minister Kevin Rudd would be "well advised" not to push the issue now, federal Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson says.
Mr Rudd, who is in London for a four-day visit, has stated an Australian republic is not a high priority for his Labor government.
He has said he wants to concentrate on more practical issues like the economy.
Dr Nelson today agreed there were more important matters than the issue of becoming a republic that Mr Rudd should be focused on in his first months as prime minister.
"I think that Mr Rudd would be well advised to stay away from pushing a republic," Dr Nelson told reporters in Sydney.
"Australians have fundamental concerns, whether it's a drought, whether it's feeding, clothing, housing your children, keeping a small business going and making sure that the government is actually focusing on the development of the budget which is probably the most important in recent history."
Dr Nelson said he supported the current constitutional arrangements.
"I think the constitutional arrangements that we have in Australia have brought us an unprecedented measure of political and economic stability," he said.
"I very much support the current arrangements, but Australia is a democracy and there are many Australians, many members of the Liberal Party, who would like to see Australia as a republic."
(AAP)
Rudd revives republic debate before meeting Queen
April 08, 2008
PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd has breathed fresh life into the republican debate before he was due to meet Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Castle.
Mr Rudd emerged from talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown - his fourth meeting with Mr Brown in three days - saying he expected the republican debate would now intensify.
"I expect that in the course of the year ahead, you'll see an accelerated public debate about the republic and I welcome that," Mr Rudd said in a press conference inside Mr Brown's residence at 10 Downing Street.
The change of direction came as a surprise after Mr Rudd commented recently that the republic was not a first-order issue for his government.
It also raised the possibility of increased tensions within the Liberals and Nationals, with most on the Right opposed to a republic.
Public sentiment is likely to be more supportive.
Mr Rudd remained tight-lipped about his discussions with the Queen ahead of their meeting at Windsor Castle, consistent with accepted custom and practice surrounding consultations between prime ministers and the Sovereign.
The Queen, dressed in a taupe jacket and skirt and wearing an Australian wattle brooch, met Mr Rudd in the castle's White Drawing Room.
Mr Rudd greeted the Queen with a "good morning Your Majesty".
They spoke about how the weather had improved from the snow that had been falling a day earlier.
"(The weather) is better than it was yesterday morning," the Queen said.
Mr Rudd replied: "The snow was extraordinary."
Mr Rudd was wearing a dark suit and a green and gold tie. His wife was wearing a black and white polka dot dress with black shoes with polka dot bows for detail.
In his earlier press conference, Mr Rudd said the republic was a well-established component of Labor policy and one which he openly supported.
"Look, on the question of the republic, I'm a lifelong republican, first point; second is it's absolutely clear in the Labor Party platform that's where we intend to go," Mr Rudd said.
However he said there were still other priorities for the Government, including the international and domestic economies, health policy, the response to the water crisis, climate change and education.
All these were "occupying the full attention of government right now".
But he acknowledged that many people wanted to have the republican debate now that one of its major impediments, the Howard government, had been removed. "We should do that. We're a democracy, and we'll be looking carefully at the way in which that debate unfolds but we have other fish to fry right now in terms of the priorities back home," he said.
"But let me tell you, once a republican, always a republican. These questions are a matter of time and due process."
(AAP)
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2020 SUMMIT NEWS
2020 Summit may discuss republic
by John Pyke | April 5, 2008
The 2020 stage-management committee has released background papers for the 10 working groups. Links to the Governance one are at http://www.australia2020.gov.au/topics/governance.cfm together with a somewhat expanded summary of the topic. Christian Kerr from the Australian describes them as rather like a set of Monarch Notes for high school students. From the point of view of the republican debate, there are a couple of interesting points.
Firstly, they indicate that the stage-managers are not totally opposed to their cast of one thousand discussing the republic. On the expanded topic page, one paragraph says:
"And given no referendum has been passed for 40 years, what are the chances that Australia can modernise its creaky constitutional framework? Or was our rejection of the Republic at the end of the last century just healthy cynicism about the model we were asked to buy?"
And on page 11 of the backgrounder, there's a graphic summarising polls on the republic since 1987, together with brief references to federalism, fixed terms and revitalised ministerial responsibility. Then on page 14 they give a list of 12 questions, of which the last is "Is there a need for constitutional reform?" All very waffly and general, but it leaves the door open for George Williams and others to demand action on the republic.
Attendees on 2020 Summit committee:
'The future of Australian governance'
Mr Martin James Bailey, WA; Mr Joseph Martin Fernandez, WA; Ms Pia-Angela Francini, WA; Ms Alison Lesley Gaines, WA; Professor Janette Hartz-Karp, WA; Ms Holly Elizabeth Ransom, WA; Mr Wayne Francis Scheggia, WA; Dr Christine (Chrissy) Sharp, WA; Mr Peter Ajak, VIC; Professor Judith Margaret Brett, VIC; Mr Julian William Kennedy Burnside, VIC; Mr Paul Chadwick, VIC; Professor Allan Fels, VIC; Ms Iresha Herath, VIC; Ms Kristen Anna Isobel Hilton, VIC; Professor Sarah Louise Joseph, VIC; Ms Janice Winearls Keynton, VIC; Dr Terry MacDonald, VIC; Professor Robert Manne, VIC; Ms Katherine Dawn Sampson, VIC; Professor Cheryl Anne Saunders, VIC; Ms Sally Warhaft, VIC; Mr Alan Wu, VIC; Dr Sally Young, VIC; Mr Benedict Bartl, TAS; Ms Lyn Mason, TAS; Rev Professor Michael Tate, TAS; Ms Olivia Guarna, SA; Ms Elizabeth Francesca Ho, SA; Ms Tanya Louise Smith, SA; Mr Sean Barrett, QLD; Senator the Hon George Brandis, QLD; Dr Alexander Jonathon Brown, QLD; The Honourable Matthew (Matt) Joseph Foley, QLD; Mr Paul Formosa, QLD; Ms Bridie Kathleen Jabour, QLD; Ms Joanne Kelly, QLD; Professor the Honourable Michael Lavarch, QLD; Mr Michael McKinnon, QLD; Mr Alexander McLaughlin, QLD; Mr Stewart Mcrae, QLD; Dr David Solomon, QLD; Dr Anne Tiernan, QLD; Ms Danielle Vujovich, QLD; Professor Patrick Weller AO, QLD; Ms Sarah Jane O'Rourke, NT; Mr Mauri Japarta Ryan, NT; Ms Erin Adams, NSW; Mr Phillip Adams, NSW; Ms Robin Banks, NSW; Associate Professor Lyn Carson, NSW; Professor Greg Craven, NSW; Associate Professor Kate Jane Crawford, NSW; Ms Miranda Devine, NSW; Mr Macgregor Duncan, NSW; Professor Geoffrey Ian Gallop, NSW; Ms Kate Gauthier, NSW; Mr Gerard Henderson, NSW; Dr Helen Irving, NSW; Dr Paul Kelly, NSW; Ms Miriam Lyons, NSW; Mr David Marr, NSW; Mr Simon Rice, NSW; The Honourable Helen Sham-Ho, NSW; ,Professor Christopher Dominic Sidoti, NSW; Mr Brett Solomon, NSW; Associate Professor Anne Frances Twomey, NSW; Professor Hillary Charlesworth, ACT; Mr Harry Evans, ACT; The Honourable Justice Mary Gaudron, ACT; Ms Susan Gail Harris Rimmer, ACT; Mr Michael James Harvey, ACT; Ms Janet Eileen Hunt, ACT; Sir Anthony Mason, ACT; Mr Ian McPhee, ACT; Ms Jamila Helen Rizvi, ACT; Professor Marian Sawer, ACT; Ms Amelia Mary Simpson, ACT; Professor George John Williams, ACT; Sir William Deane, ACT; Ms Janet Giles, SA; Ms Amy Sarah King; Prof Julianne Schultz; Mr Kerry Stokes, NSW; Mr Howard Whitton,
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Governor General has not encountered any desire for republic
March 9, 2008
Monica Attard: Your Excellency can I ask you, do you think the time will ever come when Australia will be ready to become a Republic.
Major General Michael Jeffery: There's nothing wrong with a country looking at better ways to govern itself. But when it comes to an issue of such importance one of the fundamental things is that people should understand how the current system works before where they make an informed decision about where they want to go to and that I regret to say is not well done. I think it's about to be picked up in the national core curriculum but very few people have an understanding of the role and function of governance. The constitutional role of the Major General Michael Jeffery and that's one of the reasons why we've had political stability for a hundred years.
Monica Attard: But as you travel the country have you sensed any appetite for a Republic at all?
Major General Michael Jeffery: Not much at all. It's never been raised by me as a group of being of burning, passionate desire but people might change their attitudes. There might be a catalyst for causes I don't know.
Full interview can be found at:
http://www.abc.net.au/sundayprofile/stories/s2183496.htm?backyard
(ABC)
[Ed: This comes as a surprise to us: those many thousands of cold and dispassionate people who spend countless hours campaigning for a republic year in year out. It should be carefully noted that while Major General Jeffrey is patron of the ACM's front organization - that dubious charity: CEFA - he has refused countless requests to ever meet with any member of the ARM.]
Minchin mocks Turnbull about monarchists 1999 trickery
by Phillip Coorey | March 14, 2008
Nick Minchin wields a fair bit of influence within the federal parliamentary Liberal Party, especially with John Howard out of the way. Like a poor man's Karl Rove, Minchin gets the blame for all manner of occurrences, some of which he is responsible for, and others over which he has no control whatsoever.
Such, however, is the lot of the operative. Minchin, a key figure of the conservative faction, was responsible for mustering enough votes from the right to secure Brendan Nelson's narrow victory over Malcolm Turnbull in last year's ballot for Opposition leader.
One rumour flying around the place at the moment is that Minchin is shoring up numbers for the deputy leader Julie Bishop to step forward should Nelson's leadership hit the wall.
Minchin appears determined that Turnbull should not lead the party, at least for now.
The pair are among the best performers in the Coalition, but their relationship is awkward. This was best evidenced recently when Minchin told Turnbull he was "too sensitive" after Turnbull approached him over comments he made on radio that morning about why Turnbull had missed out on the leadership.
Some trace the fallout back to August 2006 when the US-based Canadian conservative columnist Mark Steyn addressed a dinner for fellow travellers at Old Parliament House.
Minchin, giving the warm-up address, made what he considered a light-hearted reference to being back at the same venue where a decade before, at the Constitutional Convention, the conservatives suckered the republicans into accepting a dud model that scuppered the republic.
According to those present, Turnbull, who headed the republic push all those years ago, walked out.
(SMH)
[Ed: Just a pity he didn't stop to pour his drink over the delightful Munchkin.]
Royal stoush
by Chris Thomson | March 15, 2008
A portait of Queen Elizabeth II that will oversee all formal proceedings of Stirling council from now on has a pro-republic councillor in a right royal rage.
"The portraits will be honouring our head of state, who lives in another country thousands of miles away, who I would suggest has never been to, or heard of, the City of Stirling," Osborne warder David Michael said.
"Yet the council does not even visually acknowledge, through such means as an aboriginal flag, the traditional custodians of our land."
Over a dinner before the March 4 council meeting, a discussion led by mayor David Boothman, at the request of some councillors, decided the Queen portrat should be displayed.
Later, at mayor Boothman's request, and at a cost of 573.76, staffers swiftly framed three portraits of Her Maj' the council had lying around. By March 11, one was hanging in the Council chambers, one in the committee rooms, and one in the reception hall.
After hearing about the dinnertime discussion, the Voice phoned Cr Michael, a former state secretary of the Australian Republican Movement. He said he it refused to take part in the informal powwow.
It was bad enough having to swear allegiance to the queen when I became a councillor," he told the Voice. "I would have preferred to swear allegiance to the people of Stirling.
"I don't know why we needed to have three portraits considering we already had one...wht will be next, one in the council loos?"
Lawley ward councillor, and former army colonel, Rod Willox, had a different take. "I'm not a monarchist or an Anglophile," he explained. I'm a fourth generation Aussie and have served this country in the military and I've never had a problem with the queen."
Cr Willox said the former council chambers had always had a pic of the queen, which was nicked when the council moved to its new HQ in 2006.
Bucking the national trend, Coolbinia (58%), Inglewood (54%), Inglewood North (56%), Mt Lawley (59%), Mt Lawley West (62%) and Mt Lawley East (59%) voted yes to a republic in the 1999 referendum
(The Perth Voice)
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