ARM Media Statement - 23 June 1999

Australian Republican Movement Welcomes High Court Decision On Foreign Power

The Australian Republican Movement today welcomed the High Court's decision in Sue v Hill and Sharples v Hill that for the purposes of the Australian Constitution, the United Kingdom is a foreign power.

"This once again confirms that our Head of State, the Queen of Australia, is also the Head of State of a foreign power" the Australian Republican Movement's National Campaign Director, Greg Barns, said today.

"This decision from our country's highest court makes one thing very clear to all Australians - our Head of State is not one of us - she is the ruler of a foreign power" Mr Barns said.

"This decision also confirms that when our parliamentarians swear allegiance to the Queen, they are in fact swearing allegiance to the monarch of a foreign power".

"But it is not only our politicians who swear allegiance to the Queen of England - members of the armed forces, police officers, new Australian citizens, people accepting an Order of Honour, officers of the courts as well as the Governor General and State Governors all swear allegiance to the Monarch of a foreign power" Mr Barns said.

"The High Court's decision clearly demonstrates why we deserve to have one of our own as Head of State.

"It is totally ludicrous that Australia is an independent nation, and yet our Head of State is also the Head of State of a foreign power" Mr Barns said.

Authorised by Malcolm Turnbull, Australian Republican Movement, 60 Park Street, Sydney NSW 2000