The history of republicanism in Australia

There is a long history of republicanism in Australia – in the 1890s, for example, The Bulletin was a pro-republic publication. The Referendum in 1999 was, for many people, the culmination of years of work and effort.

The Australian Republican Movement was formed in July 1991. The movement was established around the central aim that Australia's Head of State would be an Australian citizen chosen by Australians, and that this could be achieved in time for the centenary of Australia's Federation on 1 January 2001.

The No vote in the 1999 Referendum delayed our campaign for Australia to become a republic. Since then the ARM has regrouped and reinvigorated its organisation and continues to work towards an Australian republic. If you would like to know more about the ARM, please see the about us section or contact us.

The Republican Campaign to the 1999 referendum

> The Republic Advisory Committee
Formed in 1993 by the Keating Labor government, the Committee laid the foundations for proposed Constitutional change.

> The 1998 Constitutional Convention
The Republican model we voted on in 1999 was developed at the Constitutional Convention.

>The Constitutional Convention Website

>From Constitutional Convention to Republic Referendum: A Guide to the Processes, the Issues and the Participants
Professor John Warhurst, Consultant, Politics and Public Administration Group, Parliamentary Library Research Paper 25 1998-99, 29 June 1999

> Speeches and articles
Commentry on the republican issue by many prominent Australians, spanning the years 1992 - 1999.

The 1999 referendum campaign

> The Yes Coalition
The organisations who joined together to promote the YES case.

> The Official Yes Case
The case for a YES vote in the 1999 Referendum.

> News Archives

> Media Release Archives

> Websites related to the 1999 campaign

Post-referendum analysis

> The 1999 Referendum
Conclusions about the 1999 Referendum.

> Australian Journal of Political Science
Helen Irving's Commentary, March 2000.

> The Australian Republican Referendum 1999 - Ten Lessons
The Hon Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG, March 2000.

In December 2001, the Victorian Council for the Centenary of Federation and former Victorian Governor, Sir Richard McGarvie, organised a People's Conference in Corowa, near the NSW-Victorian border. The choice of Corowa had some historical resonance: the Corowa Conference of 1893 had been a decisive meeting in the colonies’ journey towards Federation, at a time when it appeared the process had stalled. Corowa 2001 was attended by more than 400 people – republicans and monarchists alike – and was convened to determine a way forward for the national debate on a republic. The intention was for participants to put aside the debate about republican models and focus on the process towards a second referendum.

> Corowa Conference

Senate Inquiry into an Australian Republic (2004)

On 26 June 2003, the Senate referred the Inquiry into an Australian Republic to the Senate Legal and Constitutional References Committee. The ARM welcomed the Inquiry as the most important initiative since the 1999 referendum in moving Australia towards a republic. The Inquiry called for submissions and conducted public hearings around Australia seeking the views of the Australian community on two issues: the most appropriate process for moving towards the establishment of an Australian and alternative models for an Australian republic. The mutlipartisan Committee released its report, The road to a republic, on 31 August 2004.

> Senate Inquiry into an Australian Republic

> The road to a republic