Chair's Report
Constitutional Issues Committee on Process
News
Supporting the ARM – how you can help
What's On: ARM events

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

Chair's report

Early in October it was a pleasure to catch up with the members of the Tasmanian Council in Hobart, including the Convenor David Morris and Deputy Convenor Will Hodgman (deputy leader of the Liberal Party in the Tasmanian Assembly). I also met with Vince Taskunas from the Tasmanian Council (a member of the staff of the President of the Senate, Paul Calvert). A few days later in Adelaide I met with Simon Birmingham (Deputy Convenor in SA) who is the executive officer of the Australian Regional Winemaker’s Forum.

It was also a pleasure to be part of a most successful ARM conference at Macquarie University in Sydney on 19 October, organised by the NSW Council and the North Shore Forum, and attended by members from NSW and the ACT. Particular congratulations to NSW Convenor Louisa Webb. The whole day had lots of energy and ideas and an excellent 'grass-roots' feel to it. There were lots of stimulating presentations and good discussion.

The ARM’s weekend in Melbourne, 25-26 October, went really well. Many thanks to Victorian Convenor Helen Millicer and her whole team who did a wonderful job of organising. The National Committee met in the morning and early afternoon, with columnist Andrew Bolt joining the NC for a discussion over lunch. The ARM’s AGM was held in the mid afternoon, including my report as Chair and Allison Henry’s National Director’s report on our financial statements. That night the fundraising dinner at the Shark's Fin Inn Restaurant was very successful. There was a big crowd and everyone had an enjoyable night. MPs from Liberal, Labor and Democrats were present. Melbourne businessmen and avid republican Huy Truong impressed everyone with his dinner speech. National Youth Convenor Will Fowles again acted as a spirited auctioneer to the amazement of those who hadn't seen him in action before. Many people were very generous with their money for the ARM.

On returning to Canberra I visited Parliament House to speak with two republican Liberal Party MPs from WA - just keeping in touch and learning from them what we should be doing.

November will be busy. Thanks to everyone who has been organising functions in various places. On 12-13 November I'll be in Perth to speak at an ARM dinner, a parliamentary briefing for state MPs and many other things. On 25 November I'll be at Parliament House Canberra to meet with some parliamentary staffers to discuss what they might be able to do. On 26 November there is the Inaugural National Lecture in Canberra, and then on 27 November I'll be in Adelaide speaking at a SA function.

In March, the Constitutional Issues Committee (CIC) drafted a discussion paper for the membership’s consideration: The Process - What Do You Think?

The discussion paper provided the impetus for a six-month consultative process, which drew thoughtful and helpful feedback from ARM members across Australia. The CIC has recently compiled a report on these responses.

The consultative process culminated in the ARM's National Committee meeting in Melbourne in October to recommend a preferred process towards an Australian republic. After deliberating on the various processes and considering member’s feedback, the National Committee determined to support the following resolution:

The ARM supports plebiscites on the threshold question and on republican models (held separately or together), followed by an elected Convention to draft the model, followed by a referendum.

The ARM also supports a third plebiscite question (to be held concurrently with one or more of the others) allowing Australians an opportunity to choose the Head of State’s title (President, Governor-General, Head of State).

The ARM’s preferred process for constitutional reform will, after further consultation with other republicans, provide the basis of the Movement’s submission to the forthcoming Senate Legal and Constitutional References Committee’s Inquiry into an Australian Republic.

To find out more

Contact the Constitutional Issues Committee

29 October 2003
Australian Constitution: Education (pages 94-96)
Senator Marise Payne

On 16 September 2003 Western Australian Senator Webber asked the Minister representing the Attorney-General a series of questions relating to the Visit of HRH Prince Harry. Check out Senator Ellison’s responses, which carefully avoid the cost of the trip.

27 October 2003
Visit of HRH Prince Harry (Question No. 2107) (pages 124-125)
Senator Chris Ellison

POLLING IN BRITAIN
British internet polling company YouGov recently published a series of polls regarding public attitudes towards the monarchy. It came up with some interesting conclusions, among them a growing sentiment in the UK that the monarchy should be reformed or abolished.

3 November 2003
Prince William closes generation gap
The Australian

Some earlier polls by YouGov

17 July 2003
Attitudes to the changing face of the Monarchy
YouGov

2 June 2003
Public attitude towards the monarchy
YouGov

The key ingredient we are missing at the moment is money.

We have plans to manage a campaign around the upcoming Senate Inquiry, to undertake electoral research and facilitate community round-tables, and to launch an ARM School Kit. But, to do so, we need financial support.

Here is how you can help:

ARE YOU YET TO BECOME A FINANCIAL MEMBER? If you are a lapsed member or have never actually joined the ARM, please consider becoming a member NOW. You can do so online or call the National Office on 1800 80 2000.

ARE YOU ALREADY A FINANCIAL MEMBER? If you are already a financial member, would you consider making an even greater contribution to to the ARM ... by making a one-off donation to support one of our initiatives or by making a monthly contribution though your credit card? To find out more visit the ARM website or contact the National Director, Allison Henry

NSW Women's Network Lunch
A lunch and panel discussion with MC Lisa Forrest (Author, broadcaster, Olympian) and a panel including Senator Marise Payne, the Sydney Institute’s Anne Henderson, Sarah Maddison from the Women's Electoral Lobby and the NSW President of the National Union of Students, Anna York.
Date: Tuesday 18th November 2003
Time: 12.15 for 12:30pm
Venue: Silver Spring Restaurant
Address: Second Floor, Sydney Central Building, 191 Hay Street, Sydney
Cost: $45 / $30 concession (drinks to be purchased on the day) RSVP: Wednesday 12th November 2003
Booking form

VIC ARM with Progressive Business – An Evening with Thomas Keneally
Date: Thursday 20 November 2003
Time: 6.00pm to 8.00pm
Venue: The River Room at the Crown Complex
Address: Whiteman Street, South Bank
Cost: $125 members / $185 non-members
Further info and booking form

ARM Inaugural National Lecture with guest speaker Richard Woolcott
Date: Wednesday 26 November 2003
Time: 6pm
Venue: National Press Club, Canberra
Address: 16 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600
Free of charge to all republican supporters
Further information: http://www.act.republic.org.au/woolcott.htm or Jane Castles on 0412 392 577 or jane.castles@anu.edu.au

followed by

Republican Dinner
Time: 8.15pm
Venue: The Chairman and Yip Restaurant
Address: Bunda St, Civic, Canberra
Cost: $50 per head inclusive of banquet dinner and wine
RSVP: Contact: Jane Castles by 24 November on 0412 392 577 or jane.castles@anu.edu.au

SA State Council – An Evening with ARM Chair John Warhurst
Date: Thursday 27 November 2003
Time: 6pm
Venue: Arkaba Hotel
Address: Glen Osmond Road, Fullarton
Cost: $5 / $2 concession
RSVP: Monday 24th November on 0417 086 768 or sa@republic.org.au

DECEMBER

VIC ARM with Australian Democrats - Christmas Breakup with guest speaker Senator Natasha Stott-Despoja, Australian Democrats' Spokesperson on the Republic
Date: Thursday 11th December 2003
Time: 6:30pm
Venue: Bells Hotel
Address: Corner Moray and Coventry Sts, South Melbourne
Cost: $10 members / $12 non-members
Further info and booking form

ARM End of Year Drinks – Sydney - with Special Guest Senator Natasha Stott Despoja, Australian Democrats' Spokesperson on the Republic
Date: Friday 12 December 2003
Time: 5:30-7:30pm
Venue: The Glover Cottages
Address: 124 Kent Street Sydney
Tickets: $15 / $10 concession (finger food provided; drinks to be purchased on day)
RSVP: Friday 5 December 2003
Further info and booking form