ARM Media Statement - 22 February 2002

The Australian Republican Movement's statement regarding the Governor-General

The Chairman of the Australian Republican Movement, Mr Greg Barns, today released the following statement regarding the current constitutional crisis.

"The ARM has never sought to personalise the issue of constitutional reform. Neither do we seek to comment on the particular difficulties surrounding Australia's Governor-General, Dr Peter Hollingworth. Our focus is - and always has been - on institutional reform.

"The current controversy illustrates once again the shortcomings of Australia's current constitutional arrangements. The whole situation surrounding Dr Hollingworth has demonstrated the inadequacy of a system where only two people, the Australian Prime Minister and the Queen of England, are empowered to appoint and remove Australia's Governor-General. The Prime Minister Mr Howard has made it clear in his statement this afternoon that the decision not to terminate Dr Hollingworth's appointment as Governor-General was his decision and his decision alone.

"Plainly this is not good enough for a democratic country like Australia at the dawn of the new century. An Australian republic, by contrast, would offer Australians more say in who is their Head of State."

The ARM recently released a discussion paper, 6 Models for an Australian Republic, which details the appointment and removal processes for various republican models. The selection processes covered in the six options include Parliamentary Appointment, Election through a Presidential Assembly and Direct Election - all superior processes to the current system which allows for one individual only, the Prime Minister, to determine who the Governor-General is.

In five out of six models outlined in the ARM's discussion paper, the removal process would be guided through the Commonwealth Parliament, allowing for the voice of the Australian community to be exercised through their elected representatives.

In the absence of any move towards significant constitutional reform, Mr Barns called on the Commonwealth Government to institute a more democratic and transparent system by which the next Governor-General was appointed.

"Australians want more say in who sits at the apex of our institutions. Every other position in this country is filled through an open and democratic selection process - why not the role of Governor-General? The next time Australia is faced with the task of selecting a Governor-General, the selection should be vetted by both Houses of Parliament. Such a process would give the Australian people far more of a voice than they currently experience." said Mr Barns.

Further comment:

Greg Barns, Chair, (02) 9267 8022