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August 2007
Chair's Report
ACT Branch Update
Victorian Branch Update
ARM Merchandise
News
Views
What's On
Contact Us
Welcome to Republican Roundup, the monthly e-newsletter of the Australian Republican Movement.
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Chair's Report
Last month in this column I wrote about leadership, particularly as it affects the ARM, and suggested a number of questions that we could all ask ourselves. Did you read the newsletter? Did you actually ask yourself the questions?
More importantly, have you really done anything about the answers? As the Acting Chair I don't know the answers to these questions - which raises the whole question of communication within our organization.
I do know that a small number of members have emailed me with suggestions that indicate they had read the questions. I do know that some members of the National Committee and some branch councillors have referred new members, organized and attended republican events and applied themselves to other routine jobs that keep the ARM machine rolling along. I do know that some Monarchists are active enough to be orchestrating a letter writing campaign aimed at undermining our credibility.
I don't know whether we individually have started to overcome our apathy - and I raise this because it is mainly apathy that stands between us and our dream of a fellow Australian as our Head of State.
Within our budget limitations we currently communicate with members monthly by email and quarterly by post for those without access to email. This, in itself, is quite a big effort for a volunteer organization. There are also additional communications about specific events, a national website, branch websites, email addresses for National Committee members, an email address for each branch, phone numbers and fax numbers. It sounds as if we've got communication covered - but have we really? Communication is a two way street. Are we doing the job or is a lot of the above a waste of precious time and resources?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Mike Keating, Acting ARM Chair
chair@republic.org.au
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ACT Branch Update
ACTivities
The ACT Branch is gearing up for a busy end of year. Key events on the calendar for the ACT Branch include organisation of the National Republican Lecture, support for Rock4Republic being organised by the ANU Republic Club and engagement with candidates prior to the federal election.
ACT members have responded well to the challenge of supporting the operations of the National Office since its relocation to Canberra. The office is now well established and volunteers from the ACT branch staff the office on a roster for two days of the week, augmenting the Executive Officer who works 3 days each week. This ensures that the office has a response capacity each working day.
The energetic group of young republicans at the ANU this year has brought a new energy and enthusiasm to the republican focus in the ACT and in the branch. Street stalls have been held regularly throughout the past 6 months and members have enjoyed the opportunity to engage with the public on republic issues. The general response from the public has been positive with many comments along the lines that it is good to see people out again promoting the republic in the public arena. Thanks to Kate Holloman and her band of supporters.
Contact: Terry Fewtrell
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Victorian Branch Update
VICTORIAN NATIONAL CONFERENCE
The Victorian Branch held a very successful Conference in Melbourne on 21 July 2007. Despite the cold weather many republicans attended to hear many key note speaker, Victorian MP, Evan Thornley and several other interesting speakers, including the leader of the Australian Democrats, Lynne Allison. This was followed by lunch and a fundraising auction. ARM Life Membership was bestowed on the ex-national convenor Greg Barns. (ed: Greg Barns latest book, An Australian Republic, written with Anna Krawec-Wheaton, is available from the ARM shop - see listing in merchandise section.)
The following resolution was passed unanimously at the meeting:
That the Victorian Branch of the Australian Republican Movement calls on each member of the newly elected 56th Victorian Parliament to introduce a Private Members Bill to substitute the Victorian Parliament's current oath of allegiance to the Queen with a new oath of allegiance to Australia and the People of Victoria, along the lines of similar private members' legislation passed last year in New South Wales.
VICTORIAN BRANCH MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO ALL
Victorian Branch meetings are open to all members and are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm at the Celtic Club, corner La Trobe and Queen Sts Melbourne.
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ARM Merchandise
Don't forget that the ARM shop has a great range of republican merchandise, such as books, T-shirts, hats and mugs that make great gifts for family and friends!
ARM polo shirt $45 (ex postage) Greg Barns book $17 (ex postage)
Purchases can be made at ARM ONLINE STORE
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News
ANOTHER REPUBLICAN REFERENDUM IF RUDD WINS OFFICE
On July 24th, Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd said another referendum on whether Australia should become a republic would be held if Labor wins office.
Mr Rudd said Australians would again be asked to decide if they wanted the British monarchy to continue as head of state, but did not know when.
"Can I say, we're going to consult the people again. We haven't fixed a time frame for doing that, and I think the time will come before too much longer when we do have an Australian as our head of state," he said during a visit to a home in Melbourne's southeast today.
Mr Rudd, a republican, said he did not believe the republic issue was a "first order concern" for working families right now, but the time would come when it was.
"It will just take a little while. We've asked the people once, they said no, you've got to respect that.
"But we'll work out when we'll ask them again."
Mr Rudd also said the question posed in any future referendum would be clear-cut, as he said the previous referendum had confused many people.
(Newscorp)
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Views
One of the ARM's most committed supporters is a member of the Mackay forum, Wal Manning. Mr Manning, is an eloquent and frequent letter writer to the Mackay local newspaper, The Daily Mercury. He has had numerous letters printed, including the following one, which was listed as Letter of the Day on the 10th of June, this year.
Time for an Australian Head of State
A royal suggested for Governor-General - thank goodness the bowler hat brigade is now past history.
Even Prime Minister John Howard admits that a prerequisite for the position of Governor-General is to be an Australian citizen.
Strange that this present system permits the Queen of England to be our head of state. Shows how farcical this monarchy system is in our nation in the year 2007.
Having served my country Australian in the Royal Australian Navy from early 1943 to 1972, my allegiance is first and foremost to my country Australia.
I am also a strong supporter of a future republic.
I feel now that a majority favours that, irrespective of political persuasion, one of us Australians should attain the top job - namely head of state. This should be irrespective of race, colour, gender or creed.
In conclusion, it's not a big step but a necessary one to show the world that, at long last, we stand on our own two feet, by becoming the Republic of the Commonwealth of Australia.
WAL MANNING, Slade Point
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Lessons from the Rum Rebellion
Next year is the 200th anniversary of the only successful military takeover of Government in Australia's history. It was a tumultuous event. On 26 January 1808, Governor Bligh was deposed and gaoled by Major Johnston of the NSW Corps. It took two years to put in place a replacement Governor.
What can we learn today from these events 200 years ago? Firstly, it shows that political leaders need legitimacy to exercise their powers. Governor Bligh was not well liked in the new Colony but there was no process available to the people of NSW to have him legally replaced in an orderly manner. Democracy is, of course, the best form of political legitimacy. Regular democratic elections ensure the periodic testing of our leaders' authority to govern. Unfortunately, our current Head of State has no such legitimacy. An Australian Republic offers us the opportunity to choose our Head of State and to replace him or her in an orderly fashion as necessary.
Governor Bligh's exercise of his extensive powers caused considerable friction in the Colony. The events of 1808 show we need to determine and limit the powers of our political leaders. Extensive and unfettered political power in our Head of State is a recipe for a repeat of the Bligh disaster. History shows us that absolute power corrupts absolutely. An amendment to our Constitution can clarify and codify the powers of our Australian Head of State.
David McKenna
ARM Victorian Secretary
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What's On
August
Sundowner at Tiger Lils
The Australian Republican Movement of Western Australia is holding a Sundower on Wednesday 22nd August 2007 at Tiger Lils (437 Murray St) between 5.45 pm and 7pm.
The Sundowner is to honour the past and launch the future. An honour board unveiling will acknowledge those past deceased members, and as well our new official state website will be launched. Please advise Alex McGavin either by email, wa@republic.org.au, or telephone 93992581 as soon as possible (for catering purposes) if you are able to attend. A drink and some light refreshments supplied. Ample city parking is nearby.
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Contact Us
ARM National Office
Level 1, 29 Lonsdale Street, Braddon, ACT 2612
GPO Box 611 Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone (02) 6257 3705, Facsimile (02) 6257 3670, Toll-free 1800 80 2000
Email: republic@republic.org.au
ACT Branch Council
NSW Branch Council
NT Branch Council
QLD Branch Council
SA Branch Council
TAS Branch Council
VIC Branch Council
WA Branch Council
ARM Women's Network
ARM Youth Network
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