ARM Media Statement - 5 January 2001

The Australian Republican Movement Launches New Slogan: "Our Republic - The Next Step"

The Chair of the Australian Republican Movement, Mr Greg Barns, today launched the ARM's new slogan "Our Republic - the Next Step"

Mr Barns said that the slogan signified that the move to a republic was something that would benefit all Australians and one that was a natural step in our progress since Federation.

Mr Barns added that: "This year's Centenary of Federation celebrations are an appropriate time for all Australians to consider how far we have come in the last 100 years and where we should be going. While our history is very much a part of who we are, Australia is now a very different place than it was in 1901 and we are asking our fellow Australians to consider whether we should now have an Australian as our Head of State."

Mr Barns said that the ARM would be undertaking a number of initiatives to ensure that the Australian community continues to be given the opportunity to discuss how we can have an Australian Republic.

The ARM's Next Steps include:

• a petition being circulated to ask both Houses of Federal Parliament to put a plebiscite to the Australian people asking if "Australia should become a republic with an Australian citizen as Head of State in place of the Queen";
• participation by the ARM in community based Centenary of Federation activities;
• a major effort to communicate with the community about republican options that are workable and responsible;
• a commitment to have ARM members and supporters in as many communities as possible throughout Australia, particularly in regional Australia;
• the establishment of a Republican Women's Network.