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

AN ECONOMIC ANGLE TO THE REPUBLIC DEBATE
A survey, published in The Courier Mail in August, showed that about 80 per cent of Australians do not know the name of the Governor-General, Michael Jeffery, and an audit, published in The Australian in September, reported that Australian taxpayers paid about $1.45 million for a four-day visit of the British royals to Australia, in March this year. Of course, this bill would come on top of the approx. $35 million of taxpayers’ money spent each year on keeping the Queen’s representative (ie, the Governor General) operating here in Australia.

The issue of an Australian Republic is most frequently discussed in terms of our national identity, our symbols and our constitutional arrangements. Economic arguments rarely appear in the debate, and this makes sense because it is not really an economic issue. With that said, however, it’s worth remembering that Australian taxpayers spend millions of dollars each year on supporting local representation of the British Royal family in Australia, the Governor General.

This is not petty cash that we’re talking about here. For example, let’s assume $35 million is spent each year. If you multiply that by the seven years since the 1999 Republic referendum, then you find that Australian taxpayers have spent nearly a quarter of a billion dollars on having a representative of the British Monarch in Australia since the last referendum. And to think that only 20% of us know who this representative is makes this situation even worse.


ARM’S NEW EXECUTIVE OFFICER STARTS WORK
In last month’s Chair Report, I announced the appointment of Pamela Hunt to the position of "Executive Officer" (EO). I am now delighted to report that Pamela is on board and has started work as our new EO, based in our new national office in Canberra.

Working closely with the ARM’s National Committee (NC) and the NC Executive, Pamela will play an important role in the future of our movement. In a part-time capacity, her primary responsibilities include: acting as secretary to the NC, managing the national office and the membership database, acting as Returning Officer for all ARM elections, assisting with financial affairs and membership communications, and overseeing the implementation of NC strategy and policies.

I am very confident that Pamela brings the right skills and expertise to this role, together with a positive "can-do" attitude. She joins the ARM after a successful career as a senior officer in the NSW Department of Education, working as both a school teacher and principal.

It is with great enthusiasm that I welcome Pamela to the ARM, and I look forward to all ARM office bearers and ARM members meeting her over time.


NC DIRECTORS ACCEPT PORTFOLIOS
As previously advised the ARM is amid implementing its Re-Focus Program, which includes the appointment of portfolios to NC Directors. The NC has embraced this renewed structure and I am delighted to now announce who will be taking responsibility for these portfolios:

• National Chair*: Ted O’Brien
• Senior Deputy Chair*: Anne Henderson
• Junior Deputy Chair*: Terry Fewtrell
• Treasurer & Company Secretary*: Will Fowles
• Fundraising: Ted O’Brien
• Media Liaison: John Warhurst
• Constitutional Issues: Richard Fidler
• Communications & Publications: Marise Payne
• Strategy & Campaigning: Ted O’Brien
• Community Liaison: Terry Fewtrell
• Women’s Convenor: Natasha Stott-Despoja
• Youth Convenor: Tom Callachor
  * NC Executive positions