ARM MEDIA RELEASE

Australian Republican Movement's
statement regarding the Governor General

The Chairman of the Australian Republican Movement, Prof John Warhurst, said today that Australians deserve better than the drawn out and distressing controversy around the Queen's representative in Australia, the Governor General. Prof. Warhurst said that the current controversy and looming deadlock indicates that the system is broke.

"The ARM is concerned with the office of Governor General, not with any particular individual who holds that office. The ARM's aim is to replace the British monarchy and the office of Governor General with an Australian Head of State. That is what the Australian people want." As far as the present situation is concerned, Prof. Warhurst said that constitutionally it was a matter to be addressed solely by the Prime Minister and the Queen, who appointed Dr Hollingworth.

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, are empowered to appoint and remove Australia's Governor-General without any public or parliamentary explanation or discussion. Prof. Warhurst added "plainly it is not good enough for a modern democratic country like Australia, that solving a crisis in our constitutional arrangements is subject to the personal and political views of the Prime Minister alone. The system for appointing and removing a Governor General is grossly undemocratic and inadequate."

The system's broke, and it's time to fix it.

An Australian republic would offer Australians more say in the appointment of their Head of State and would greatly improve his/her relationship with the Parliament and the Australian people. "It is clear that a majority of Australians are concerned about the developing crisis and are aware that the current arrangements are potentially destabilizing and need to be replaced by a more open and accountable system in which they and/or their elected representatives have a say", Prof. Warhurst said.

Further comment:
John Warhurst, Chair, 0439 498 283
Jim Terrie, National Director, 0411 240 970