Welcome to Republican Roundup, the monthly e-newsletter
of the Australian Republican Movement.
Chair's
report
October has been a busy month with a variety of meetings,
dinners and speaking engagements. The highlight of the
month for me was listening to retired senior public
service lawyer and ARM member, Alan Hall, speak to the
ACT Branch monthly meeting on 10 October. Alan explained
and then demolished the arguments of Sir David Smith
that the Governor-General rather than the Queen is Australia's
Head of State. This is an argument that is thrown at
the republican movement all the time and it was important
to see a measured and well-researched talk pointing
out the lack of evidence for Smith's claims. In brief,
Smith neglects the contrary conclusions of the 1988
Constitutional Commission report on Executive Government
by acknowledged constitutional experts. Without any
evidence Smith jumps from an argument that the position
of GG has evolved since 1901 to the claim that the GG
is our Head of State. I urge interested members to read
the paper as the issue will continue to be a significant
part of the future republican debate. We have nothing
to fear from this baseless claim.
The ARM has responded to members'
concerns regarding the definition of sedition,
that "bringing the sovereign into hatred or contempt"
in the new Anti-Terror Bill currently being debated
might infringe upon the rights of republicans to engage
in vigorous debate. We understand from the professional
advice that we have sought that the provision is worded
in similar terms to the existing provision in the 1914
Crimes Act and that it hasn't been used against republicans
in our campaigns so far. Still it pays to be absolutely
sure. Our own legal advice from constitutional lawyers
suggests that our campaign may fall under the "good
faith" defence set out in s.80.3. I have written to
the Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, seeking clarification
and his assurance that we have nothing to be concerned
about. Our stance was written up in a balanced way in
the "Strewth" column in The Australian on 26 October.
I've given talks to two quite different age groups this
month. On 11 October, thanks to ARM member David Goss,
I was invited to speak to a lunch-time meeting of 80
members of the University of Third Age (U3A) at Hughes,
ACT. I debated the ACM's Malcolm Mackerras on the topic
"Do we need a republic?". The audience of retired people
was very sympathetic to my Yes case and appreciated
the civilised debate that Malcolm and I always have.
That's how it should always be in an ideal world. Then
on 19 October I spoke on "Why I am a Republican" to
an equally enthusiastic group of students at John XX111
College at the Australian National University. Opportunities
like these continue to recharge my batteries by showing
how much community supports exists for our republican
campaign once we get out and communicate our case.
About 65 members and new and old republican friends
gathered on 12 October at the Turk'Oz restaurant, Dickson,
ACT, thanks to the generosity of our host, Lyn Gallagher,
and the organisation of Allison Henry and Anne Henderson.
Canberra Times Editor-in-Chief Jack Waterford entertained
us with a typically lively discussion. It was a great
evening and a profitable fund-raiser. We welcomed a
new parliamentary supporter, Senator Dana Wortley from
South Australia, as well as NC member Senator Natasha
Stott Despoja and long time ARM member Senator Andrew
Bartlett.
Steve Lewis' article, Let
voters choose a president: Beazley discusses
Labor leader Kim Beazley's personal support for or at
least "open mind" about a directly elected president
in an Australian republic. Beazley made clear that what
was important was the public's point of view. If Labor
wins the next election it will, according to Beazley,
hold a republican referendum at the same time as the
2010 federal election. ARM believes that the people
should decide on the model through voting
at a plebiscite before the next referendum.
The article also publicises the plans of the cross-party
parliamentary republican group co-convened by senators
Mitch Fifield (Liberal) and Natasha Stott Despoja (Democrats)
and MHR Nicola Roxon (Labor).
The National Office reports that we've again had another
terrific response to our annual Republican
Raffle. Many thanks to our members for
their generous support. If you haven't yet returned
your tickets please get them in by Friday 18 November
- winners will be drawn at the AGM on 26 November.
November looms with two important events on the republican
calendar: the 2005
National Republican Lecture on 2 November
in Canberra and the ARM's Annual
General Meeting in Sydney at the end of
the month. I look forward to meeting with ARM members
on both occasions.
This year's lecture will be delivered by Professor Larissa
Behrendt, Professor of Law and Indigenous Studies at
the University of Technology, Sydney. Professor Behrendt's
topic is "The Australian Dream: Indigenous Peoples in
an Australian Republic".
The lecture is open to the public and free of charge.
It will be followed by dinner at the Italo-Australia
Club in Forrest. Please RSVP to the ARM's
National Office.
Tickets are selling fast in the ARM's Annual Raffle
- don't forget to send your tickets back to the ARM's
National Office by Friday 18 November to be in the draw
for these great prizes…
1st prize: $1000 Westfield shopping
voucher ~ donated by the Westfield Group 2nd prize: $500 petrol voucher* 3rd prize: York "Cardiofit 220P" exercise
bike, valued at $399 ~ donated by Chris Warhurst of
Warhurst Agencies, Adelaide 4th prize: Case of mixed red and white
wines from Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills, valued at
$300 ~ donated by Kirrihill Winery, Clare Valley 5th prize: Case of Tyrrell's 2000 Stevens
Semillon wine, valued at $200 ~ donated by TTF Australia 6th prize: $200 Dymocks voucher ~ donated
by Dymocks Booksellers 7th prize: $200 book voucher ~ donated
by Imprints Booksellers, Adelaide, and Chris Schacht 8th prize: $200 "Pizza Party Pack"
~ donated by Eagle Boys 9th prize: Ocho canvas picnic backpack
filled with gourmet foods, valued at $100 ~ donated
by Hamperesque 10th prize: Vodafone bundle pack, including
phone & red SIM with $30 worth of calls ~ donated by
Bossa
* Due to an administrative oversight the ARM mistakenly attributed the donation of second prize, a $500 petrol voucher, to the Service Stations Association. Unfortunately tickets and promotional materials for the raffle had already been printed when this mistake was realised. We apologise unreservedly to the Service Station Association, who did not authorise this donation. The prize remains intact thanks to a generous republican donor. The ARM apologises to all of our members for this misrepresentation.
Tickets are $5 each or a book of ten for $40. The raffle
will be drawn at the ARM's Annual General Meeting in
Sydney on Saturday 26 November 2005.
The Annual General Meeting of the Australian Republican
Movement will be held in the Marconi Room at the Sydney
Town Hall, George St Sydney, on Saturday 26 November
2005 between 4-5pm.
All financial members will shortly receive meeting notices,
proxy forms and a copy of the ARM 2004-2005 accounts.
The AGM will be immediately followed by end
of year drinks at the Treasury Bar at Sydney
Town Hall, with members of the National Committee in
attendance. Please come along!
The republic has been in the news of late, with both Opposition Leader Kim Beazley and Prime Minister John Howard stating their views. Retiring WA Governor John Sanderson also reflected on a future Australian Head of State.
ROYALTY AROUND THE WORLD
Various royal families have also been in the headlines during October. The Queen was approached as Australia's Head of State to intervene and appeal for clemency for an Australian on death row in Singapore. Meanwhile, her son Prince Andrew triggered some drama during a recent visit to Melbourne and a survey indicated that most Australians would prefer Danish Crown Princess Mary as our next monarch rather than Prince Charles.
Meanwhile both Japan and Denmark considered amendments to their constitutions to allow for a female heir to their respective thrones. The birth of a baby boy to former Australian, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, reignited a media frenzy in Australia, which left more than a few republicans yawning…
CHANGES TO BRITISH VISA RULES
Our opponents make much of "republicanism
by stealth". One wonders what they may
think of proposed changes to British visa rules, which
may see tens of thousands of Commonwealth nationals
lose their automatic right through descent to live and
work in the UK.
CONCERNS ABOUT PROPOSED SEDITION LAWS
Although the crime of sedition as defined in the Commonwealth Crimes Act 1914 has not worried Australian republicans to date, widespread community discussion regarding the impact of proposed anti-terrorism laws has included discussion of the possible impact on the republican campaign.
2005 National Republican Lecture
Professor Larissa Behrendt: The Australian Dream: Indigenous
Peoples in an Australian Republic
Date: Wednesday 2 November 2005
Time: 5:30pm for 6:15pm
Venue: Wesley Music Centre, Canberra
Cost: The lecture is open to the public and free of
charge
followed by dinner
Date: Wednesday 2 November 2005
Time: 8pm
Venue: Italo-Australian Club, Forrest
Cost: $30 per person
RSVP: director@republic.org.au
‘GALIPOLLI' THE DOCUMENTARY
The Victorian Branch of the ARM invites all members
and friends to the opening night of 'Galipolli'.
Date: Thursday 3 November 2005
Time: 6:30pm
Venue: Nova Cinema Carlton
Address: 380 Lygon Street Carlton Cost: $25 full / $20
concession
Bookings essential - to pre-order your ticket call Helen
Stitt on 0413 580 403 Flyer
Afternoon tea with the Hon Julie Bishop MP
Date: Saturday 5 November 2005
Time: 2 - 3.30pm
Venue: Subiaco Hotel, Upstairs Function Room
Address: 465 Hay Street, Subiaco
Cost: $12 per person and $9.00 concession (Plunger coffee
and tea with homemade delicious cakes)
RSVP: 31 October 2005, wa@republic.org.au Flyer
Republican Trivia Night - Sydney
Date: Tuesday 8 November 2005
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: Hellenic Club (3rd floor)
Address: 251 Elizabeth St Sydney
Admission: $25 (includes light supper ~ drinks at bar
prices)
RSVP: republic@republic.org.au
or (02) 9267 8022 \ Flyer
ARM stall at Newtown Festival
Date: Sunday 13 November 2005
Time: 10am-6pm
Venue: Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, Newtown
For further details or to help out on the stall please
contact nsw@republic.org.au
Queensland Branch AGM and BBQ
Date: Wednesday 16th November 2005
Time: 6.30 pm
Guest Speaker: Madonna King (Writer and journalist with
The Courier-Mail)
Venue: Annexe, Parliament House and Legislative Council
Chamber
Cost: $15 per person
RSVP: 14th November qld@republic.org.au
or 0409 374 900
ARM stall at Glebe Festival
Date: Sunday 20 November 2005
Time: 10am-6pm
Venue: Glebe Point Road, Glebe
For further details or to help out on the stall please
contact nsw@republic.org.au
ARM Annual General Meeting
Date: Saturday 26 November 2005
Time: 3:30 for 4pm-5pm
Venue: Sydney Town Hall
Open to all financial members of the ARM
followed by NSW Branch Council End of Year
drinks with the ARM National Committee
Date: Saturday 26 November 2005
Time: 5pm-7pm
Venue: The Treasury Bar, Sydney Town Hall
Cost: $25 including drinks and finger food
RSVP: nsw@republic.org.au
