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| GPO Box 611 Canberra ACT E: enewsletter@republic.org.au |
Editor: David Donovan M: 0403 237 880 |
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In this issue: |
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Important issues first, this month the ARM presented John Warhurst with life membership of the ARM. If anyone else has done more for the republican cause in this nation than John, please let me know, because I can’t think of anyone. Apart from being a highly esteemed Political Science professor at the ANU, a regular broadcaster on all matters political, a print commentator of great note (you can read his columns in every RR, including this one), John has also served in just about every imaginable capacity for the ARM including State and National Convenor. John is currently the Membership and Fundraising Director and the brains behind the delicious ARM wines (don’t forget to buy a case using the order form attached). Congratulations John, you deserve every accolade and we appreciate your titanic efforts. Also this month, the departing Governor-General, Michael Jeffery, fired another shot across the bows about the republic. Apparently, the Australian people should not be trusted to select their own President. In the same interview, as the Queen’s man sat in his capacious Vice Regal palace delicately sipping a dry martini, he railed against the culture of crudeness in Australian society. “I believe you should be trying to emphasise a more graceful way of living, of good manners and fundamental courtesy, which, after all, is part of being a civilised society.” Easy for him to say. Also, the dismal, uncelebrated, Queen’s birthday came and went this month with barely a flicker of attention from anyone apart from those interested enough to say how irrelevant it was. Nick Minchin tried to fan some media interest by a speech at some Monarchists League function somewhere or other, but unfortunately (for him, and them) no-one from the media showed the slightest inclination to report a single word he said. Anywhere. If you are desperate to read his dire prognostications about the perils of becoming a republic you can probably find it on some trashy monarchist website, but I wouldn’t demean you by including a link. Apart from that, RR includes all the usual features. Please keep your emails and letters, especially about why you are a republican coming in. There really are some fascinating reasons appearing.
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Dear Members, May was another busy and productive month. Firstly, thanks to all those members who emailed regarding ‘grass-roots’ activities. There were some very useful suggestions. They were all considered at the National Committee meeting on 26 May and some will be incorporated in our plans for the remainder of 2008. Some ideas, although potentially great, would require significant work and commitment from a significant number of people. Like lots of things we would like to do these will need to wait until they can be resourced. On the positive side, individual members have volunteered to coordinate activities in the Maitland area, the NSW Central Coast area and London, UK. We are currently working with these committed and generous members to help them make ‘grass-roots’ progress in their home area. More of this would be the best possible way forward ― so if you would be prepared to play a role in coordinating small activities in your local area/ postcode please email chair@republic.org.au. More about this next month, as we plan our national activity for the Australia Day weekend in 2009. On the weekend 17/18 May, Terry Fewtrell and I represented the ARM at the fourth gathering of the various republican groups in Australia (RG4) held in Sydney. Other ARM members were also present - either as individuals or as leaders of groups with a particular platform. It was a useful meeting and although there are differences of opinion on some issues there was general agreement that the Rudd Government should commit itself to a process and a timetable and that a plebiscite on the threshold question staged concurrently with the 2010 federal election is a realistic goal. The statement of general agreement issued at the end of RG4 is reproduced elsewhere in this newsletter. RG5 is planned to be held in Melbourne on Apr/ May 2009. At the ACT Branch Dinner on 31 May it was my honour to present John Warhurst (currently Senior Deputy Chair) with Life Membership of the ARM. John, who is well known to many of you, has contributed significantly to our republican cause over a long period of time. He has done everything from grass-roots activities in Canberra to being National Chair for three years and continues to be an active and highly valued member of the National Committee. John and his wife Joan are about to embark on an extended retirement/sabbatical trip so we wish them well on that and look forward to their safe return in August. Congratulations John. Lisa Singh, our Tasmanian Convener, has recently been appointed a Parliamentary Secretary in the Tasmanian Parliament. Congratulations Lisa. We are continuing to make progress with our re-branding activities and a lot of effort is being put into rewriting materiel, revitalizing our national website, reviewing our logo and so on. I hope you will see the results of these efforts on our website over the coming weeks/months. In the meantime, seize the opportunity to renew your membership, order some ARM wine and talk to your friends about making our great country even more democratic and independent. Best wishes. Mike Keating, National Chair (June 2008) |
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PRESS RELEASES REPUBLICAN GROUPS CALL FOR ACTION Sydney, 20 May 2008 A meeting of republican groups in Sydney last weekend called on the Government to make an early announcement of the process leading to a decision by the people on Australia becoming a republic. The meeting welcomed the overwhelming support for an Australian republic at the 2020 Summit, and the wider signs of change in community thinking on the issue of Australia having one of its own citizens as Head of State. Republican groups consider that the time is right for the Government to set out the steps and broad timeline to put the choices about a republic before the people. The meeting developed a framework of key principles to underpin the move to a republic: 1. The Australian people must control and own the process – including the decision on the model for selecting the Head of State that ultimately goes to a referendum. All the groups are confident that, as a nation, we can take the necessary steps to achieve a republic and further enhance Australia’s democracy. Background: The gathering of republican groups in Sydney over the weekend of 17-18 May was the fourth since 2005. It was convened by Jim Bain of the Democracy First Group, and included representatives of the Australian Republican Movement, the Copernican Republicans, the Foundation for Constitutional Renewal, Patriots for the Australian Republic, Real Republic, Republic Now!, the Republican Party of Australia, and Women for an Australian Republic, as well as a number of committed individual advocates. Participants have found these gatherings valuable in sharing their common commitment to an Australian republic and in addressing key issues related to the republican debate. The groups have agreed to meet again in Melbourne in early 2009, with the next gathering to be convened by Women for an Australian Republic. Contact: Jim Bain, Gathering Convenor and representative of Democracy First Group |
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Foreign Minister: ‘Republic can wait’ By David Murray| 6 June 2008
MOST Australians do not want to create a republic while Queen Elizabeth II is still on the throne, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has claimed. "It's our Government's policy that we move to an Australian republic but the Prime Minister has made it clear it's not something that he sees as being our first priority," Mr Smith said on a visit to London.
Stephen Smith: don't pass that to me! Queen's had her day: Barr By Emily Sherlock| 8 June, 2008 IF ACT Education Minister Andrew Barr gets his way Canberrans may be celebrating their last Queen's Birthday long weekend. Instead of honouring our monarch we could soon be honouring our children, with the minister calling for the Queen's Birthday break to be renamed the Kids' Day long weekend. Voters choosing president too risky: G-G By Phillip Hudson | 14 June 2008 THE Governor-General, Michael Jeffery, says a directly elected president would be a "risk" to political stability and may lead to friction between the head of state and prime minister. In an exclusive interview with the Herald, Major-General Jeffery broke his five-year silence on the republic debate by warning the community not to take for granted the structure that has worked for 100 years. After the failure of the 1999 republic referendum, which offered voters a president appointed by parliament, observers believe the option most likely to be put to voters next time will be the direct-election model. See readers comments about this article [Ed: You must really have to raise a din to break a silence at the Herald! By my reckoning Major General Jeffrey has been reported in the media commenting negatively about the republic every month for the last six. Check back issues of RR to confirm this.] The CEF-A Mystery By Dr Glenn Davies| 30 March 2008 The Governor-General is the Patron-in-Chief of the Constitutional Education Fund Australia (CEF-A), which financially supports an annual Governor-General's prize for undergraduate students. In June 2003 the Australian Government granted rare gift recipient tax deductibility status to CEF-A. From the beginning CEF-A shared its Executive Director, Kerry Jones, with Australians for Constitutional Monarchy (ACM), and was run from the ACM's Sydney office. The ACM regularly appealed to its members to contribute to CEF-A. Despite the inclusion of several republican academics on its advisory board, the Australian Republican Movement and its members were never approached to be involved in CEF-A programs or activities. |
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International News The Republican Movement of Aotearoa New Zealand | May 28, 2008 IcelandReview reports that President Ólafur Grímsson of Iceland has been re-elected, as no other valid presidential candidates submitted the required signatures of recommendation ran out last Friday. Article 5 of the Icelandic Constitution specifies a minimum of 1,500 signatures is required. A great day for democracy Brendan O’Neill | 29 May 2008 The abolition of the monarchy in Nepal should put the fear of god – or rather the fear of man – into Britain’s own crumbling House of Windsor. |
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| Views | |||
G-G's blind faith in Australia's constitution
The Governor-General, Major-General Michael Jeffery, is mounting a defence of the place of the British monarchy in the Australian Constitution. On several occasions recently Jeffery has proclaimed a very conservative view of Australian constitutional arrangements. |
Odds are against Rudd hearing a resounding ‘yes’ to reform
KEVIN Rudd has come to office with ambitious plans to reform the constitution. His election commitments include referendums on fixed four-year terms for the Federal Parliament, an Australian republic, recognizing local government and restoring co-operation in federal-state relations. Further ballots may be held on taking over state hospitals and recognizing indigenous peoples in a new preamble to the constitution. |
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| The Prod Squad Roy Greenslade | 20 May 2008 The latest royal wedding has brought up questions from the sartorial to the photographic, but the key issue is the bride's renunciation of faith. View from Britain: Elizabethan holiday Nick Bryant | 8 June 2008 Australia will enjoy a national holiday today in honour of the Queen's official birthday. To some Australian monarchists, it's occasion to raise a glass to a much-loved head of state. To many more, it's the happy chance to take a quick winter break, hopefully avoiding the inflated "double demerit" speeding fines and points penalties which come into effect on three-day holiday weekends. Next week at Parliament House in Sydney, the Australia-Britain Society will hold a luncheon at which members will sing God Save the Queen, Australia's Royal anthem and take part in a loyal toast. At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Collingwood will take on Melbourne in the traditional Queen's Day birthday AFL face-off. But the day is marked with little, if any, pomp and circumstance. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I can't find any evidence of gun salutes, parades or fireworks - and nor can the monarchists I've been speaking to. How much longer Australia will continue to officially celebrate the Queen's birthday is one of the most intriguing questions facing Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and, ultimately of course, the Australian people. Republic, economy may drive early election Matthew Lybock | 9 June 2008 An early 2010 election would be the ideal time to place the Republic question on the ballot. It would also give Rudd further ammunition against the coalition and a key distracter from other key election issues. Perhaps even the economy. Slow move towards republic Advertiser editorial | 9 June 2008 IT IS a curiosity that the Queen was born on April 21, 1926, yet we celebrate her birthday with a public holiday in June. The Queen is now 82 and has been Australia's formal head of state since her Coronation on June 2, 1953. But the time is quietly, inexorably approaching when Australia must bring its formal association with the British royal family to a dignified close. Christopher Scanlon | 10 June 2008
HAVING enjoyed yet another long weekend in honour of the Queen's birthday, I am prompted to ask why we still have this holiday. Part of the reason is probably that, from the outset, the debate about whether Australia should become a republic has had about as much substance as an issue of New Weekly. The choice has been boiled down to having one of the Windsors as our head of state, or a home-grown celebrity.
A Indian model for an Australian republic? by Chris Golis | 17 June 2008 While the current Australian focus with regard to India is either on the cricket or its burgeoning software industry, there is another item worth considering - namely the Indian model for a republic. India is the world’s largest democracy with 675 million registered voters and has now been operating for 60 years. India has embraced the Westminster system, like Australia, but is a federal republic. |
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| Letters
Letters to the Media The Editor Nepal can, why can’t we It is expected over the next day or so that Nepal will become the latest country to convert from a monarchy to a democratic republic. This will end the monarchy's 238 year reign. We should applaud a small country like Nepal for having the political will to remove an unelected monarch and replace him with a duly elected democratic parliament. Unfortunately this has not occurred without some bloodshed. All too often we see constitutional change associated with extreme passions and violence. In the future, Australians will be asked about removing our unelected monarch from our constitution. We must ensure we do this with candour and in a positive spirit. I hope the monarchists among us don’t resort to fear tactics and hyperbole. I am convinced we can achieve a republic with Prime Minister Rudd's plan for two plebiscites followed by a referendum. David McKenna
The Editor The Governor - General just doesn’t get it In free societies people vote. In Australia we vote for our federal and state members of parliament. We vote for our local body councillors and mayor. We vote in ‘Australian Idol’, we vote to evict housemates on ‘Big Brother’, we vote in ‘Dancing with the stars.’ The people of Ireland have just voted ‘No’ to kill off the Lisbon Treaty. The people of Ireland directly elect their president. In California, Idaho, Oregon, Illinois, West Virginia, Tennessee etc. etc. the people of the US have recently voted for their preferred candidate for the Democrat and Republican presidential candidates and in November they will vote again to elect their president. But the Governor - General does not trust the people of Australia to vote for the president of an Australian republic. The more frequently stick-in-the-muds like Michael Jeffery voice their lack of confidence in the good commonsense of the Australian people in constitutional matters the greater will be the desire of the extraordinary ordinary people of Australia to have their say in having one of our own as our head of state. Roy McKeen |
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The Governor-General, Michael Jeffery, thinks Australia should never have a directly elected president, because he or she would argue with the prime minister and cause political instability ("Voters choosing a president is too risky, says GG", June 14-15). Never mind that a directly elected head of state would be much more democratic than the current system; never mind that tension between the president and prime minister could be productive and be used to keep each other in check; never mind that other democracies have such directly elected heads of state and function properly, such as Germany, Italy and Israel. No, we should beware the dangers of full democracy. Brad Ruting Woolloomooloo King Siaosi Tupou V of Tonga, like his father before him, believes that democracy is "unstable" and "dangerous". He can appoint for life 10 of the 14-man cabinet, including the prime minister. He is reportedly dismissive of the competence and ability of ordinary Tongans. Ridiculous and offensive - but see a pattern here? Unelected people in positions of power telling us that we can't be trusted with democracy or that the risks are too great. As much as Major-General Michael Jeffery might be a nice bloke, his argument is an absolute insult to the intelligence of Australians. Brendan Jones Annandale For most of his tenure, the Governor-General, Michael Jeffrey, has been rarely seen or heard. Yet in Saturday's Herald he enigmatically states that he had "sent back about 15 pieces of legislation … that required his assent". If these rejections were for typos, then I say well spotted. If, however, the Governor-General has input into our laws and has the power to have legislation "corrected or withdrawn", then I strongly believe that the public needs to be provided with much more information. Manuela Epstein Killara The Governor-General is right to have reservations about a directly elected president and the effect it would have on our parliamentary system. A US-style election would be no more acceptable to serious Australian political thinkers than continuing adherence to the monarchy. But the people must have their say. This could be done by having a single nomination put to the people for endorsement in the same manner as a single issue is put to the people in a referendum. Not an election but an official public endorsement. This process could be applied to the incoming governor-general, Quentin Bryce, and it's all over. No more the Prime Minister (whom I admire greatly on other issues) having to refer obliquely to the model, no social revolution and - realistically - no chance in the world of Ms Bryce being knocked back. Some of Australia's early appointments may have stood a chance of rejection but Australians generally would give any fair dinkum nominee a go. But it is a reminder to those in charge of the process not to submit an absolute lemon. Most importantly: the Australian people would have the final say. And democracy would be the winner. Wal Pritchard Mount Kembla |
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Answers from ARM Members & Supporters
Because the role of the monarchy in our current age is nothing more than a figurehead. We need a system where the political decision making process for our people is made by our people. Nicolas Clark (left) beside Qld Branch Councillor, Andrew Grotherr, at the 2007 Qld AGM Belinda Donovan The monarchy has had its day and does nothing to represent an Australia looking towards the future. I often read historical fiction, and the royal family seems to me to be more a part of Victorian England circa 1865, than a worthy part of modern Australia. More tangibly, having lived in the UK, sharing a monarch with Britain provides no advantages to Australian travellers. However, becoming a republic does not mean we need to cease being members of the Commonwealth. Consequently, I see no advantage or sense in staying part of this outdated, inequitable and redundant institution |
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| Verse
A Song of the Republic Sons of the South, awake! arise! Sons of the South, make choice between Sons of the South, your time will come – Sons of the South, aroused at last! By Henry Lawson, 1887 |
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| Branch Updates | |||
| ACT Branch Update
Successful ACT Dinner ACT republicans were out in force on Saturday 31 May for the Branch's 8th annual dinner and fundraiser. More than 150 attended the dinner (a 50% increase on last year) and a great night was had by all with more than $5,000 raised. Guest speaker was Dr Anne Twomey of Sydney University, the author of 'The Chameleon Crown: The Queen and her Australian Governors'. Anne's talk was an enthralling mix of previously unknown history on how our current 'broken' system really works, hints of intrigue and manipulation in high places (the Palace and Whitehall included) and the importance of republicans (and all Australians) understanding how the existing system works in practice so that we can devise a better republican model. With an ACT election scheduled for October this year the ACT Branch has a key goal for 2008 of engaging with all candidates. It was pleasing therefore to see 12 candidates attending the dinner, drawn from both the major parties. These included Liberal Opposition Leader, Zed Seselja, a member and keen supporter of the ARM as well as Andrew Barr, Minister for Education and Training, Planning, Tourism, Sport and Recreation and Industrial Relations.
Sample of publicity shots organised by ACT branch First Daytime Meeting The first daytime meeting of the ACT Branch will be held at lunchtime on Tuesday 17 June at the Southern Cross Club Woden. The response from members to the innovation of daytime meetings has been very good and obviously a large group of members appreciate the opportunity to be engaged with the ARM at a time that is more suitable to their lifestyle. A good roll up for the meeting is anticipated. Planning for the National Republican Meeting A small group from the ACT Branch is now planning the 2008 National Republican Lecture. The lecture is likely to be held in October or November of this year. The planning group is exploring ways that the lecture can be available more widely to members across the country and beyond through the web, so that the event can be something that engages all branches around the country. In coming weeks the planning group will be developing these ideas further, as well as selecting the Australian to deliver the lecture. Terry Fewtrell
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Queensland Branch Update
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| Victorian Branch Update
Premier Brumby's office has told us the Victorian Government is considering our representations on changing Victorian MPs' oath of allegiance to the Queen. Stay tuned for further developments. At the previous meeting of the State Council, five new young people attended. All members are invited to attend our State Council meetings on the third Wednesday of each month at the Celtic Club, Melbourne. Victorian Convenor David McKenna participated in a radio debate with a representative of the Australian Monarchists League. True to form, their arguments were a mix of fear, misinformation, red herrings and conservatism. David McKenna
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WA Branch Update On 2 May the WA branch was involved in a successful promotion at the May Day Celebrations in Fremantle. The ARM Stall was highly visible from about 10.30 am until about 3.30 pm at the Fremantle Esplanade and a lot of material, including membership forms, were given out with balloons. The celebrations on the Fremantle Esplanade were well promoted and well attended by the public, and many community groups set up stalls and took part in the parade through the main streets of Fremantle. Text Box: Left to right above: JulieArmstrong, unknown, Grant Jordan, Alex McGavin, Bruce Hartley, (white beard), Hayden Foote (holding banner), unknown Our WA Branch marched in the parade behind our republican banner. We were easy to spot and well positioned behind the “Democracy for Burma” group. Our chant: “Aussie; Aussie; Aussie Head of State” was belted out with alarming vigour and a good time was had by all. Grant Jordan |
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| Gold Coast Forum Update
Gold Coast convenor, Gary Shadforth, and deputy, Roy McKeen, recently met with national councillor, David Donovan, at Twin Towns Services Club. Over cups of coffee a range of topics was discussed. The Gold Coast forum would need to prepare for a return to being involved in similar activities it had undertaken before and after the 1999 referendum. As the Rudd government has reignited the republic debate, the forum committee is looking to its staunch members and supporters to rally again in preparedness for a campaign leading up to an eventual referendum. Interest has heightened in the local print media. Recently, The Border Mail, newspaper which is delivered free of cost to many thousands of homes, businesses, clubs and institutions from Byron Bay to Palm Beach, ran lead articles in two issues, only a couple of weeks apart, heralding the return of the republic debate including local contact information. Also discussed was a suggestion to the national committee that there be a change in ARM imagery on promotional material. For sometime now the Gold Coast forum has utilized the green and gold of wattle sprigs and red ochre soil on stationery and for its website banner, rather than mainly royal blue. The committee saw the R logo as having no relative symbolism. It was recalled that green and gold was used by the 1999 Yes Vote Coalition campaign. The Gold Coast is keen to assist in anyway possible the national committee’s plans for Australia Day 2009. Gary Shadforth |
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| ARM Wines!!
The ARM recently released its own wine. Refer to the order form sent as an enclosure with this newsletter. The two wines: ARM Red - Wagga Wagga Cabernet Merlot 2005; and ARM White - Orange Chardonnay 2005. Minimum order is 6 bottles and total order must be a multiples of 6 ie - 6, 12 or 18 or many more. Single bottles may be purchased over the counter at Plonk wine store in Canberra, ACT (see order form for details) for $12 per bottle.
John Warhurst
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Please Remember the ARM in your Will
The successful campaign for an Australian Republic may still take time. The Australian Republican Movement will be able to continue to fight vigorously only if it has sufficient resources. If believing that Australia should have an Australian Head of State rather than a foreign Queen has been a priority for you in your lifetime then you may wish to express that priority in your Will. You can do this by making a bequest to the Australian Republican Movement. A bequest can be made in several ways. You can make a gift of:
The following form of words may assist you in drawing up your Will: I give to the work of the Australian Republican Movement
For further information or assistance in making a bequest in your Will please contact:
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ARM National Office Level 1, 29 Lonsdale Street, Braddon, ACT 2612
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Email contacts National Office |
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George Williams | 31 May 2008
Illustration by John Spooner, courtesy of The Age
An important event that occurred at the dinner was the awarding of ARM Life Membership to John Warhurst, former National Chair, in recognition of his long support and activism for a republic in a wide range of leadership and community engagement roles. John was the principal organiser of the ACT dinner, as he has been for all previous dinners, and also conducted the very successful auction that raised more than $3000.
