Welcome to Republican Roundup, the monthly e-newsletter of the Australian Republican Movement.

It has been another busy month at the ARM.

ISSUES AND DEBATES
The Queen’s 80th Birthday: With the Queen celebrating her 80th birthday in Britain this month, parts of the Australian media again turned their attention to the credibility and popularity of Prince Charles. This followed comments made by Prime Minister Howard during the Commonwealth Games in which he expressed uncertainty about future ties to the monarchy when Prince Charles becomes king.

An argument is emerging that the death of the Queen will be the future event that creates Australia’s Republic. While there is some sense to this argument, I disagree for reasons of principle, practicality and proposition.

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. The path towards a Republic should be mapped by Australians, based on the interests of the Australian nation and the desire of its people.

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 overnight and nor can it effectively do so under any timetable over which it has no control. With all respect, the Queen could die tomorrow, or, she could live another 20 years or more. It is impractical to try and map the path towards a Republic against the backdrop of such uncertainty.

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 can emphasis the fact that Prince Charles will be our next Head of State, 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.

ANZAC Day: As in previous years, the ARM chose not to publicly campaign on ANZAC Day. However, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one whose attendance at various ANZAC ceremonies touched the Republican heart. ANZAC Day has become increasingly sacrosanct to Australians, as a day of national pride and unity. Similarly, the Republican dream of an Australian as Head of State is a celebration of our national identity. My personal vision is to be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of my fellow Australians in a large stadium on the 25th of April, 2015, commemorating 100 years since the ANZAC troops landed in Gallipoli, and to hear our Head of State, who will be an Australian rather than a foreign monarch, address the nation. We should aim to become a Republic well in advance of that day (which is now less than 10 years away).


MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
If you have not already, can I please encourage you to renew your ARM membership as soon as possible. Membership fees remain the movement’s single largest revenue stream and are therefore a large determining factor for deciding what activities we can afford in the year ahead. In addition to yourself, can you please give some thought to asking your friends and family who are supportive of an Australian Head of State to consider becoming ARM members.


COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Arthur Smout Turns 100: Long standing republican Arthur Smout celebrated his 100th birthday at a party hosted by his wife and Qld Council member, Betty Smout, on the 26th of March. It was an honour for me to attend the party and to present Arthur with a certificate of congratulations from the ARM and on behalf of all Republicans across Australia. Mentors like Arthur are truly an inspiration for we younger generation of Republicans.

Visit to the ACT: It was great to spend time in Canberra in early April with the ARM’s ACT Council and local ARM members. Republicanism is deeply embedded in the ACT and our Branch Council is doing a superb job. Under Terry Fewtrell’s lead, they are not only the most active branch when it comes to ARM functions and fundraising, but they have also been playing a leading role in national initiatives such as the Republican Gathering.

Visit to Victoria: It was also terrific to spend an evening in Melbourne in mid April with the ARM’s Victorian Council and local members. Like the ACT, Victoria has a strong Republican history, and there is a tremendous energy and commitment from our Branch Council, under the lead of Peter van Vliet. The visit was an ideal opportunity to meet the local team and to have open and robust discussions on some key strategic issues facing the movement.


POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT
Liberal Republicans: As most Republicans know, one of the guiding principles for our move to a Republic is multi-partisanship. At the very least we require both Labor and Liberal parties to support the move to a Republic, and our greater challenge, at this stage, lies with generating more support from Liberals. As part of our efforts to improve our level of engagement with the Liberal Party, I presented to the Young Liberal Movement in Qld this week. It was an excellent exchange of opinions and ideas, and I am grateful to all Qld Young Liberals, including the monarchists among them, for allowing me the opportunity to speak to them about the path to an Australian Republic.


MORE ON THE GG
As we reported in February’s Republican Round Up, I wrote to the GG expressing our disappointment with his intervention into the republic debate in late January, and again requested that he meet with ARM representatives. I have now received a response from the GG’s Official Secretary which agrees with our view that “ The Governor-General should not be, nor be seen to be, aligned with any one view in a politically contested issue.” However, it appears that the Official Secretary does not consider the GG’s intervention into the republic debate in late January as him aligning to either side in the debate. Obviously, I disagree and so too, I suspect, would anyone else who read the GG’s comments.

Republican regards,

Ted O’Brien, ARM Chair
chair@republic.org.au


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