ARM Media Statement - 6 February 2002

Australian Republican Movement's statement on
Queen Elizabeth II's 50th anniversary

The Australian Republican Movement today congratulates our Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II, on the 50th anniversary of her Accession to the Throne. The ARM's National Chair, Greg Barns, highlighted that the Golden Jubilee celebrations were passing virtually unnoticed in Australia.

Mr Barns commented that "The fact that there is very little fanfare in Australia - even in Britain - surrounding the Golden Jubilee, demonstrates once more why the British monarchy is irrelevant to most Australians.

"While there was a sizable celebration in Australia of the Silver Jubilee in 1977, the commemoration of Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee will be a celebration not of Australia and Australian institutions, but of Britain and British institutions. It illustrates once more that there is nothing for Australians to relate to, or to celebrate, in having the British monarch as Australia's Head of State.

"The lack of enthusiasm in Australia for the Golden Jubilee celebrations demonstrates once more that Australians are republican in sentiment and that the only question that remains is how do we achieve our own Head of State."

The Australian Republican Movement will be continuing in 2002 to build on the strong foundations it laid in 2001. The ARM last week hosted a highly successful public forum in Toowoomba, and will be continuing in coming months to focus on similar activities throughout regional and rural Australia. Later in the year the ARM will be hosting a National Convention of Republicans and launching a new project to invite prominent young authors to draft their preamble to a new or amended Australian Constitution.

Mr Barns stated that today's anniversary marked an ideal opportunity for Australians to reflect on the unsatisfactory nature of our current constitutional arrangements, and the need to have an Australian as our Head of State.

Further comment:
Greg Barns, Chair, (02) 9267 8022