National Director's Report
Chair's Report
ARM Media Releases
ARM Speeches and Articles
News
Senate Inquiry Update
ARM's Annual General Meeting 2003
The Other Side
What's On
How You Can Help

National Director's Report

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

We have introduced Republican Roundup to streamline information to ARM members and supporters and provide a one-stop location for the Movement's activities throughout Australia. Republican Roundup will be distributed at the beginning of each month and will include a report from the National Chair, updates regarding republican initiatives such as the current Senate Inquiry, a quick look at what our opponents are up to, links to recent news, speeches and articles and details containing upcoming ARM and other events.

We hope that this first issue has been distributed without any hiccups - our apologies if you've experienced any difficulties. Please let us know at republic@republic.org.au and we will do our best to promptly address the problem. You have received Republican Roundup because you are registered as an ARM member or supporter. We hope that you will appreciate the e-newsletter, but you can of course unsubscribe if you wish.

Enjoy!

Allison Henry, National Director

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Chair's report - August 2003

I finished the month in Darwin for two days, 29-30 August. Ian and Lyn Fraser were my hosts and afforded me wonderfully generous hospitality. Ian had organised a program of events involving meeting ARM members and friends, speaking to politicians and conducting interviews with the media. I was interviewed on ABC morning radio and on 104.1 TOPFM as well as by "Stateline" for ABC TV. I also did separate interviews with Suellen Hinde and Cam Smith for the NT News. I had time with Claire Martin (Chief Minister), Syd Sterling (Deputy Chief Minister) and Gerry Wood (Independent MP). I met ARM members and supporters on Friday night at the Trailer Boat Club. I visited the university. And on Saturday morning I discussed future plans with branch council members, Ian and Lyn Fraser, Ross Ryan and Senator Trish Crossin. I also touched base with Kathy Spurr, the ALP president, and Fay Lawrence, the Democrats president. I missed only the CLP because they were at their territory conference at Alice Springs. Overall a lot of good work and favourable publicity was achieved for the republican cause.

The ARM issued a media release on 11 August upon the appointment of the GG, Michael Jeffrey. Consistent with our approach to the GG throughout the year we wished the GG well but expressed the hope that he "would be the last representative of the Queen in Australia before we become a republic with an Australian Head of State". The ND and I both did follow up interviews.

I met with the ND, Jason Li, Ted O'Brien, Richard Fidler and Senator Marise Payne in Canberra on 18 August to discuss the Senate Inquiry into the republic. We also had a prior telephone conference. We noted that the monarchists were already organising to oppose the enquiry and we need to match them. I'm particularly grateful for the effort those from outside Canberra made to attend the meeting.

At about the same time it was announced that the Tasmanian Premier, Jim Bacon, had appointed Richard Butler as the next Governor of Tasmania. Inevitably this led to media discussion of the appropriateness of the appointment given that Mr Butler has been a strong public supporter of the republic. Both the ND and I did media interviews. Richard Butler confirmed his own support for an Australian Head of State. Our position was that it was inevitable given public support for the republic that republicans would be appointed to such positions. Several already had been. While monarchists and some journalists condemned the appointment we stressed the positives for the republican movement. My detailed position appeared in an article of mine published in the Canberra Times on Friday 22 August.

I attended a meeting of the subcomittee planning the November 26 National Lecture by Richard Woolcott. That committee is John Bowdler (chair), Audrey Kinnear, Terry Fewtrell and Jane Castles. I'm most grateful for all the effort they are putting in.

On Sunday 24 August the ACT council met and I was reelected as ACT Convenor. I'm grateful for their continued confidence in me.

Rod Kendall has the republican calendar for 2004 well under way. He's shown me the draft cartoons for next year's theme: the crisis of the GG.

I've really enjoyed my first month working with our new ND, Allison Henry. The changeover has been a remarkably smooth one. We have also heard from Jim Terrie that he and Katharine have arrived safely in Nairobi to begin his new job there.

20 August 2003
The Republic of Australia, A New Identity
Speech by Susan Ryan (Deputy National Chair) to the Victorian State Council

11 August 2003
No going back on destiny's road to republic
Article by Rod Kendall (Qld Convenor) published in The Courier-Mail

BUTLER APPOINTED AS TASMANIAN GOVERNOR
19 August 2003
Republican Governor
David Flint, Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy

18 August 2003
Republican to be Tasmanian Governor
Kerry O'Brien, 7:30 Report

DEPARTMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY
18 August 2003
Frequently Asked Questions About the Office of Governor-General
Deirdre McKeown, Politics and Public Administration Group

UK REPORT
July 2003
The Future of the Monarchy
Fabian Society (UK)

An issues paper is expected shortly.

MONARCHIST LEAGUE GEAR UP FOR SENATE INQUIRY
It seems the Monarchist League are eager to put an end to what they believe is the "abuse of the democratic process" that is the Senate Inquiry. Recent gems from their website include:

"The Australian Monarchist League fully intends to campaign against this attempt to thwart the will of the people and once the Issue Paper has been released, we will be organizing submissions and attendance wherever and whenever the Committee may meet. In the interim period, may we ask that you, and indeed as many people as possible, express your outrage at this misuse of our parliamentary resources."

Check out their Inquiry website at http://www.monarchist.org.au/senate_enquiry_into_a_republic%20-%201.htm and their letter to members at http://www.monarchist.org.au/LETTER%20TO%20MEMBERS%20-%20AUG%202003.htm

NSW / ACT State Conference 2003
Date: Sunday 19th October 2003
Time: 10am-4.30pm (registration from 9am to 10am)
Venue: SAM / Union Building, Macquarie University, Talavera Road, North Ryde
Cost: $30 members / $25 concession (lunch included)
Registrations close Friday 3 October
Further details: http://www.nsw.republic.org.au

ARM Annual General Meeting 2003
Date: Saturday 25th October 2003
Time: 3pm
Further details to come...

to be followed by

Victorian State Council dinner with ARM National Committee
Date: Saturday 25th October 2003
Further details to come...

NOVEMBER
NSW Women's Network Lunch with panel including Senator Marise Payne, Senator Natasha Stott-Despoja, Anne Henderson and Anna York
Date: Tuesday 18th November 2003
Further details to come...

VIC ARM with Progressive Business
Date: Thurs 20 November 2003
Time: 6.00pm to 8.00pm
Venue: Grand Hyatt Hotel, Collins St Melbourne
Cost: $95 members / $125 non-members
Bookings: 9933 8551

ARM Inaugural National lecture with guest speaker Richard Woolcott
Date: Wednesday 26th November 2003
Time: 6pm
Venue: National Press Club, Canberra
Further details to come...

DECEMBER
VIC ARM with Australian Democrats - Christmas Breakup
Date: Thursday 11 December
Speaker: Senator Natasha Stott-Despoja, Democrat representative on the Senate Inquiry
Bookings: 9419 5808 or 9662-4200
Further details to come...

Sponsorship opportunities
The next edition of the ARM's excellent magazine, Australians All, is currently being prepared. We need sponsors to help us cover the printing and postage of the magazine to more than 4000 republicans. If you're interested, or know someone who may be, please contact the National Director, Allison Henry at director@republic.org.au for further details.

Volunteers in the National Office
The ARM’s National Office in Sydney requires regular office volunteers for Thursdays and Fridays, to answer phones and help with mail and other office duties. We also need vollies on an occasional basis for mailouts. If you are able to assist please contact the National Director, Allison Henry at director@republic.org.au for further details.