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July 2006
Chair's Report
New ARM contact details
ARM Speeches and Articles
ARM Media Releases
New ARM Shop!
News
ARM membership renewals
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
UPDATE ON THE RE-FOCUS PROGRAM
It has been yet another busy month of unrolling the ARM's Re-Focus Program.
As you may recall from June's Chair Report, our Re-focus Program is about repositioning the ARM so that it can better campaign for a Republic with an Australian Head of State. Although our overall strategy to win the hearts and minds of everyday Australians remains unchanged, the Re-focus Program will help us apply our scarce resources in the most effective way possible.
I have received many emails and letters from ARM members about the Re-Focus Program, and I am happy to report that all these correspondence have been positive. It gives me great confidence that our members are as enthusiastic about these changes as is the National Committee and the State & Territory Branch Councils. Thank you to all those ARM members who provided such valuable input and feedback.
As you know, the Re-Focus program consists of five key initiatives that we are now unrolling. Let me give you a quick status update on each:
- Relocating the Head Office: The ARM's Head Office has now been successfully relocated from Sydney to Canberra.
- Replacing "National Director" position with an "Executive Officer" (EO): We are currently amid reviewing candidates for the EO position, and plan to finalise an appointment to the office by the end of July.
- Introducing Portfolios for National Committee (NC) Directors: The following NC portfolios have been endorsed by the NC: Chair, Deputy Chairs, Treasurer & Company Secretary, Media Liaison, Fundraising, Community Liaison, Communications & Publications, Constitutional Issues, Strategy & Campaigning, Women's Convenor and Youth Convenor.
- Adding an Extra Director to the NC Executive: The NC has endorsed the "Treasurer & Company Secretary" portfolio joining the NC Executive.
- Aligning Branch Councils to the NC Structure: The NC has endorsed a plan to align Branch Councils to the new NC structure.
These changes will require some amendments to the ARM's constitution, which we plan to manage through an Extraordinary General Meeting in Canberra during the month of August. We will advise you shortly on more specific details about how this will take place.
In the meantime, though, please do not hesitate contacting me on chair@republic.org.au if you have queries, questions or concerns.
DEPARTURE OF ALLISON HENRY AS NATIONAL DIRECTOR
When the NC decided to review the ARM's governance structure at the end of last year, we quickly recognised that a more holistic Re-focus Program was required when our National Director, Allison Henry, advised us that she would not be looking to renew her contract.
Allison has worked in nearly every possible capacity in the movement: she has been a volunteer, a general member, a local forum convenor, a state council member, a state convenor, a national committee member, and most recently has been our National Director. Few people have contributed so much to the cause and she will be missed enormously as National Director, a role that she has performed exceptionally well.
Allison has been in the role for almost three years which is a similar tenure to previous National Directors, and as the only full time employee in a volunteer movement, this length of tenure is as we would expect. While Allison will be missed enormously, rest assured she plans to remain involved in the movement in the longer term. We are delighted about this because it means the ARM and the cause itself will continue to benefit from her span of knowledge and depth of organisational experience.
Allison's last day in the role of National Director was Friday 7 July. On behalf of all ARM members, I extend Allison our deepest gratitude for doing a brilliant job.
QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND
The long weekend for the Queen's birthday held the same significance this year as previous years - that is, none. The ARM marked the weekend with a media release highlighting this indifference. This indifference to the Queen reminds us that the move to a Republic with an Australian Head of State is well overdue. It is worth pointing out that being "indifferent" towards someone is not the same as "disliking" someone. Our vision of an Australian Republic is not based on negative sentiments towards the Queen. We are neither anti-Queen nor anti-British, we are pro-Australian. Put simply, the vast majority of Australians would prefer to see one of their own as Australia's Head of State rather than the British monarch.
That doesn't mean, however, that the monarch is irrelevant to the Republic debate. Due to comments made by Prime Minister Howard earlier in the year, in which he questioned the future of the British monarchy in Australia, some commentators are suggesting we postpone a Republic until Prince Charles becomes King. There is no doubt that most Australians don't like the idea of Prince Charles being Australia's next Head of State, but it would be foolish to anchor Australia becoming a Republic to the passing of the Queen. Firstly, as a matter of principle, the Australian people should dictate their own future. Even if the prospect of King Charles III as our Head of State contributes to the momentum towards a Republic, it should not determine the timeline. Secondly, in practical terms, becoming a Republic involves a process that will take some time. No country can transition to a new form of government over night and nor can it effectively do so under a timetable over which it has no control. Thirdly, it is important that the key proposition for becoming a Republic is positive and not negative. If tied to the death of the Queen, then the Republic debate will become a negative one that focuses squarely on Prince Charles' unsuitability. While we may emphasise the ‘Charles-factor', our primary focus should remain on positive messages about celebrating our national identity, values and aspirations in a Republic with an Australian as Head of State.
Therefore, let us not rely on the death of the Queen to create our Republic. Apathy wins nothing. We need to take ownership, plan the process and get on with it.
PARLIAMENTARY ENGAGEMENT
Parliamentary Republicans are an important group with whom we need to continue building relations, and I hope our move of the Head Office to Canberra will help in this regard. In engaging parliamentarians, we should lobby for the process towards becoming a Republic to be reignited and for multi-partisanship on the issue to be respected. My recent efforts in Canberra have focused on that side of politics where we currently have the greater challenge: that is, the Coalition. In one-to-one discussions with Liberal Senators such as Amanda Vanstone, Mitch Fifield, Guy Barnett, Brett Mason and Marise Payne, I have been pleasantly struck by their willingness to engage in discussion, challenge our thinking and listen to our point of view. I look forward to seeking closer relations between the ARM and parliamentarians from all political parties, and I am currently speaking with the offices of Nicola Roxon and Natasha Stott Despoja to plan for my next trip to Canberra.
Ted O'Brien, ARM Chair
chair@republic.org.au
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New ARM contact details
The ARM's new National Office in Canberra has now opened.
PLEASE UPDATE YOUR RECORDS
Street Address: Level 1, 29 Lonsdale St, Braddon, ACT 2612
Postal Address: GPO Box 611 Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone (02) 6257 3705, Facsimile (02) 6257 3670, Toll-free 1800 80 2000
Email: republic@republic.org.au
All former contact details from the Sydney office have been redirected so mail, phone and fax will still reach us at the new office.
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ARM Speeches and Articles
16 Jun 2006
Elizabeth: The Last Australian Monarch?
Article by John Warhurst in The Canberra Times
3 Jun 2006
Where to from here?
Speech by Nicola Roxon MP to ARM ACT Annual Dinner
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ARM Media Releases
9 Jun 2006
Republicans say don't wait until Charles
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New ARM Shop!
The ARM has recently revamped its online shop. To mark the launch of our new online shop, this month we offer a special discount to a new release republican book.
In An Australian Republic, Greg Barns and Anna Krawec-Wheaton argue that the Australian public is broadly republican in sentiment, and that forces within both major political parties are sympathetic. They believe that the situation could change rapidly - An Australian Republic examines how the opportunity can be grasped, how the conditions necessary for achieving consensus can be constructed and how the political will to tackle the complex issues of constitutional change can be generated.
Available now at a special discount price to ARM members and supporters of $20 including postage (RRP $22). Order now!
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News
QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND
The annual public holiday weekend brought the issue of an Australian Head of State to the foreground in media across the country. There was a particular focus this year on the appropriateness of national honours being awarded on the Queen’s Birthday weekend.
12 Jun 2006
Australianise our honours system
Guy Barnett, The Australian
12 Jun 2006
Editorial: Honourable Citizens
Editorial, The Australian
12 Jun 2006
Ex-PMs want honours changed
12 Jun 2006
A matter of honour
Editorial, Sydney Morning Herald
12 Jun 2006
PM says no to honours change
Stephanie Peatling, Sydney Morning Herald
12 Jun 2006
Why not have a really meaningful holiday
Nicola Roxon, The Age
12 Jun 2006
Nothing personal, Ma’m, but your honours are looking old hat
12 Jun 2006
Push to dethrone holiday
Anne Mather, Sunday Tasmanian
12 Jun 2006
Push to replace Queen’s birthday holiday
ABC Online
GG’S APPOINTMENT EXTENDED
Apparently without public or parliamentary consultation, the Prime Minister announced last month that the Queen had agreed for the Governor-General to serve for "at least two years from now". As Mr Howard stated in his media release, "The term of office of a Governor-General is, formally, at royal pleasure."
The extension will mean that Major-General Michael Jeffery will hold the post until his 70th birthday and until after the next federal election.
16 Jun 2006
Jeffery's term extended
Sydney Morning Herald
WARRING MONARCHISTS
It seems all is not well in monarchist world – check out The Australian Monarchist League’s website for an inkling of the trouble brewing…
14 Jun 2006
Monarchists split over a name
Crikey.com.au
11 Jun 2006
Naming tiff divides wild colonial fan groups
Sun-Herald
RECENT MEDIA
27 Jun 2006
Fix Constitution to pull states into line: Costello
The Australian
27 Jun 2006
Australia already thinks like republic: Costello
ABC Online
21 Jun 2006
Let the people decide who heads a republic
Dean Jaensch, Adelaide Advertiser
12 Jun 2006
MPs still swear by the Queen
Herald Sun
9 Jun 2006
Cowen 'wrong over republic'
The Australian
8 Jun 2006
Cowen's republic U-turn
The Australian
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ARM membership renewals
ARM membership renewals are now due. If you have not already done so, you can renew your membership online.
Many thanks to those members who have already renewed their membership for 2005-2006. Your ongoing support will help us maintain our campaign for an Australian Head of State, and launch important initiatives throughout the coming year.
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What's On
JULY
Victorian Annual Conference and Dinner
Date: Saturday 15 July 2006
Conference - Special Guest Aly Waleed and Dr Clare Wright
Time: 9:30am-1pm
Venue: Celtic Club
Address: Cnr of La Trobe and Queen Sts, Melbourne
Cost: $10 / $5 conc
Dinner - Special Guest George Megalogenis
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Republic Bar and Cafe
Address: Cnr Queen and La Trobe Sts, Melbourne
Cost: $65 / $55 conc ($5 discount for ARM members)
RSVP: 1 July 2006
Flyer
Qld Republic Upstairs with Peter FitzSimons
Date: Friday 28 July 2006
Time: 5pm
Venue: The Irish Club
Address: 171 Elizabeth St, Brisbane on.
Cost: $15 per person for entry and finger food - drinks will be available at the bar at very competitive prices
RSVP: Simon Ovenden at sovenden@pacific.net.au or 0418 158 934
Flyer
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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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