ARM Media Statement - 10 June 2002

The Australian Republican Movement Queen's Birthday 2002 Statement

The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) Chair, Mr Greg Barns, and Deputy Chairs, Susan Ryan and Richard Fidler, today released the ARM's Queen's Birthday statement.

It announces the awarding of Life Membership to WW1 veteran Ted Smout and calls upon State leaders to move forward on democratising the selection process for Governors

Life Membership
The Australian Republican Movement has awarded Honoured Life Membership to World War One veteran and republican Mr Ted Smout.

The Chair of the ARM and Campaign Director in 1999 Greg Barnes said that Mr Smout effectively launched the referendum campaign when he announced his support for an Australian republic in early September that year.

Since the referendum Ted SMout has remained strong in his view that Australia should be a republic.

When informed of his award, Mr Smout said that becoming a republic was a slow process but that "nothing will stop it".

Earlier in his long life Mr Smout had supported the monarchy but now felt that Australia should be a republic and that it was inevitable that Australia would become one.

The 104-year old Mr Smout said he was "looking forward to it".

The award will be formally made in Mr Smout's home town of Brisbane in coming weeks.

State Governors
The ARM is calling on State Premiers, all of whom are republicans, to democratise the method of selection for State Governors. The ARM notes that the coming appointments for Governors are:

• Queensland: July, 2003
• Western Australia: August, 2003
• Tasmania: October, 2003
• Victoria: June, 2004
• New South Wales: February, 2005
• South Australia: July, 2006

Greg Barns said that a number of the Premiers, such as Peter Beattie, had indicated strong preferences for change in the 1999 referendum campaign. Similarly, the Premier of WA, Geoff Gallop, while Opposition Leader had proposed consulting West Australians on changing the selection method of Governors.

The Premiers have it within their power to put to the people of their state options to democratise the method of choosing their respective Governors.

The ARM believes that if the citizens of the various States want a voice in selecting their Governor then this decision should be implemented. "This should happen regardless of the maintenance of the Queen as the Head of State of Australia" Greg Barns said.

"The opportunity for citizens to play a part in the selection of State Governors is relevant to our campaign for an Australian Head of State. Allowing Australians a greater role in their constitutional arrangements, and the right to decide who should be at the apex of these arrangements, are correct and important steps in the Australia of the twenty first century".

Further comment:
Greg Barns, Chair, 0419 691846
Jim Terrie, National Director, 0411 240970