ARM MEDIA RELEASE

ARM welcomes 'last Governor General'

The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) today congratulated His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC on his swearing in as Australia's 24th Governor-General.

ARM Chair Professor John Warhurst stated that "The Australian Republican Movement hopes that Major General Jeffery will be the last representative of the Queen in Australia before we become a republic with an Australian Head of State. In the interim we of course wish him well in his new role."

The ARM welcomed Prime Minister Howard's recent acknowledgement of a
likely resurgence in the republican issue.

Professor Warhurst concurred, stating that "Polls consistently demonstrate that the Australian people want an Australian Head of State. They want an inclusive process that gives the public a say in the path to an Australian republic."

Professor Warhurst noted that Major General Jeffery had himself acknowledged that he would not be surprised if there was a build-up of interest in a republic over the next few years. While the new Governor General nominated five years as a likely timeframe, Professor Warhurst said that the community did not want to wait that long.

Professor Warhurst said that the Australian Republican Movement was looking forward to participating in the upcoming Senate Legal and Constitutional Enquiry into an Australian Republic. The inquiry, announced on 26 June 2003 with multi-partisan support, will examine what kind of republic the Australian community wants and the most appropriate process for moving towards the establishment of an Australian republic. "We hope that republicans of all persuasions will take the opportunity to be involved in this important debate concerning Australia's future constitutional arrangements," said Professor Warhurst.

Further comment:

John Warhurst, Chair, 0439 498 283
Allison Henry, National Director, 0410 690 910