Chair's Report
ARM's Annual General Meeting 2003
National Committee update
ARM Media Releases
ARM Speeches and Articles
News
Forthcoming conferences
What's On: ARM events

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

Chair's report

The major public controversy in September was over who was to pay for the security arrangements for Prince Harry's post-school holiday in Australia. Australian taxpayers are footing a big chunk of the bill and the government's explanations as to why this should be so are pretty limp (tourism benefits, etc). For about 48 hours the ARM was deluged with media inquiries from Britain (BBC) and Australia. Anne Henderson and I did quite a number of interviews. But the largest number (television, radio and press) were undertaken by National Director, Allison Henry, who had a baptism of fire into how the media can go absolutely crazy for a short time. The ARM position was that the cost of about $600, 000 was way over the top for a private visit by a member of the Royal Family. See Allison's piece in the "Scrapbook" section of the Australian on 23 September. We linked this to our opponents’ campaign against the cost of the forthcoming Senate inquiry into the republic. We won the day because our argument was so logical, and even some usually unsympathetic outlets were utterly convinced and on our side.

The new National Committee met for the first time by telephone conference on 15 September. Welcome to Julie Armstrong (WA), Louisa Webb (NSW) and Ted O'Brien. At this meeting the new executive was elected. I was extremely grateful to be endorsed as chair for a further 12 months, as was Jason Li, but now as senior deputy chair. Anne Henderson becomes the new junior deputy chair. Thanks to Jason and Anne for being willing to take on these positions. The three of us look forward to working together, and with Allison Henry. We sadly farewelled Susan Ryan who stood down from the NC after great service over a long period. We will miss her greatly but we know she will continue to be an active republican and ARM member. Gary Mitchell (WA convenor) also stood down after long and valued service to the ARM.

I chaired the ACT branch council meeting on Monday 1 September and on Thursday 4 September I spoke about the republic to a Year 10 class at Canberra Girls Grammar. I think we've got majority support among this age group but we'll have to keep working hard to maintain it. They'll keep us on our toes. On Thursday 18 I attended a meeting of the group, chaired by John Bowdler, planning the national lecture. On Tuesday 23 I sat in on a meeting of the Constitutional Issues Committee, chaired by Richard Fidler. Thanks again to both these groups for the dedicated work they are putting in.

I finished the month in Hobart, giving a paper on the republican campaign to the annual Political Studies Conference. While there I caught up with Convenor David Morris and Will Hodgeman, Tasmanian Liberal MP, who is our deputy Tasmanian Convenor.

October and November promise to be busy months for the ARM. We have the NSW/ACT Annual Conference at Macquarie University, the National AGM in Melbourne, the inaugural ARM National Lecture in Canberra, the launch of our 2004 republican calendar (thanks to Rod Kendall), the report to members on our consultation about steps towards a republic, and many more things.

All financial members should have received meeting notices, proxy forms and a copy of the ARM 2002-2003 accounts either in the post or via email. Please note that a small mistake has been identified on page 4 of the reports regarding MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS. “Greg Barns” should read “Geoffrey Britton”. If you have not received these materials please contact the National Director, Allison Henry.

The AGM is an opportunity for members to come along, hear about upcoming plans and ask members of the National Committee in attendance questions about how the organisation is run.

Following the AGM, join the ARM’s National Committee for a five-course banquet at the Shark Fin Inn in the heart of Melbourne's Chinatown. The dinner will feature Mr Huy Truong, joint-founder and former chief executive of Wishlist Holdings, now Chief Executive Officer of Experko (Carter Holt Harvey for Australia) as guest speaker.
Click here for more information.

23 September 2003
A Pretty Price for a Prince
Article by Allison Henry (National Director) published in The Australian

Significantly, the Tribunal found that “the National League has caused the discriminatory requirement to be imposed by the Sub-Branch” and therefore the decision has national ramifications. It may lead to veterans across Australia having the option to pledge allegiance to Australia rather than the Queen.

Although the Tribunal is yet to make orders in relation to the case, the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Jocelyn Scutt acknowledged the importance of the Tribunal's decision: "It is an extremely important case for a number of reasons. It focuses on political belief and activity and is the first decision of its kind relating to republicanism and anti-discrimination law. It will have implications for all countries associated with a monarch as head of state."

The Tribunal will be holding an orders hearing in early November. In the meantime, the National RSL is reportedly considering its position.

The Decision
30 September 2003
The Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Tribunal's Decision

Media Reports
3 October 2003
RSL wanted me to surrender, says vet
Michelle Paine, The Mercury

3 October 2003
Veteran wins RSL fight over swearing loyalty to Queen
Andrew Darby, The Age

2 October 2003
Vet, 81, beats the royal oath
Sue Bailey, The Mercury

ARM Media Release
2 October 2003
Tasmanian republicans call for Pledge to Australia

SO WHAT'S THE GOVERNOR GENERAL BEEN UP TO?
Depending on your view, the new GG is either doing too little or too much...

9 October 2003
A Royal United Services Institute of Australia Triennial International Seminar Dinner
Address by His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

10 October 2003
G-G backs first strikes
Brendan Nicholson, The Age.

10 October 2003
Formal memorials not on G-G agenda
Patricia Karvelas and Sophie Morris, The Australian

16 October 2003
Dude, where's our Governor-General?
Hillary Bray and Vita Vice-Regal, Crikey.com

DEPARTMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY
8 September 2003
Governors General - Salary and Pension
Leanne Manthorpe, Politics and Public Administration Group

2004 Constitutional Law Conference and Dinner
Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law, University of New South Wales, supported by Australian Association of Constitutional Law
Date: Friday 20 February 2004
Venue: Domain Theatre, Art Gallery of NSW, followed by dinner at NSW Parliament House
Further details and papers: http://www.gtcentre.unsw.edu.au

ARM Annual General Meeting 2003
Date: Saturday 25th October 2003
Time: 3pm
Venue: Ground Floor Auditorium of the Building Display Centre
Address: 332 Albert Street East Melbourne 3002 (Melways Map 2G, B1. Opposite Fitzroy Gardens and one block from trams at Victoria Parade)

to be followed by

Victorian State Council dinner with ARM National Committee - Guest Speaker Huy Truong
Date: Saturday 25th October 2003
Time: 7:00pm
Venue: Shark Fin Inn
Address: 50 Little Bourke St, Melbourne
Tickets: $50 / $35 concession
Booking form

Quarterly Fundraising Lunch hosted by the Hon Dr Meredith Burgmann MLC and featuring Journalist and broadcaster Mike Carlton
Date: Wednesday 29th October 2003
Time: 12.15 for 12:30pm
Venue: President's Dining Room
Address: NSW Parliament House, Macquarie Street Sydney
Cost: $165 (inc GST) - including three courses and beverages
RSVP: Friday 24 October 2003
SOLD OUT

NOVEMBER

WA Dinner with ARM Chair John Warhurst
Time: 7pm
Venue: Siena's Pizzeria & Ristorante
Address: 500 Beaufort St, Mt Lawley (next to the Queen's Hotel)
Cost: $20 pp includes a delicious selection of pasta & pizza main courses & complimentary glass of wine
Contact: Julie 0408 905 302 or Dave 0413 020 207
Bookings are essential as numbers are limited.

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

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