ARM Media Statement - 20 March 2000

Queen displays a balanced understanding of the republic debate

The National Director of the ARM, Jim Terrie, said that in her speech, the Queen had displayed a more balanced understanding of the republican debate and the vitality of Australian democracy than most those who support her continuation as our head of state.

"The Queen clearly recognises the changes in Australian society during her long reign and the benefits and consequences that have and may develop as a result, " Mr Terrie said. "Consideration of constitutional change is such a consequence," Mr Terrie added.

Mr Terrie went on to say that the Queen has clearly restated her position, expressed directly after the November 6 referendum, that the form of the Australian Constitution and the role of the monarchy in those arrangements were a matter “for Australians and Australians alone to decide”.

Mr Terrie added that those who opposed the recent proposal for the establishment of a Republic and are calling for no further public debate or consideration of future constitutional change are clearly out of touch with the Queen herself. Finally, Mr Terrie said that the ARM and allied republicans were calling for a future plebiscite to clearly and finally prove that majority of Australians want a Republic and an Australian head of state.

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