ARM MEDIA RELEASE - 13 April 2004

Big step forward for the republic

Following the launch of the "New ARM" and announcement of 50 Honorary Republican Ambassadors in March, the Australian Republican Movement (ARM) will today be participating in the first public hearing to be conducted by the Senate Legal and Constitutional References Committee's Inquiry into an Australian Republic.

The Chair of the ARM, Professor John Warhurst, today welcomed the opportunity to appear before the Committee and said that the Inquiry was the most important initiative since the 1999 referendum in moving Australia towards a republic.

"The terms of reference of the Inquiry recognise that there is majority support in the community for a republic, while also acknowledging that there is considerable debate regarding what steps should be taken to move towards an Australian republic, and what type of republican model Australians want. The ARM is looking forward to furthering this debate through the Inquiry process," said Professor Warhurst.

The Australian Republican Movement has made a sizable and considered submission to the Inquiry after lengthy consultation with the ARM's members and other key stakeholders.

In alignment with the principles outlined at the recent "New ARM" launch, the ARM submission focuses on the participation of the Australian people.

The ARM's preferred process for building an Australian Republic involves a three plebiscite process: one plebiscite on the threshold question of whether Australia should become a republic, a second asking Australians their preferred model and a third asking Australians to choose the title of the Head of State. A fully elected Convention would then draft the model, according to the plebiscite results, to be put to the Australian people in a referendum.

Professor Warhurst highlighted that "This is an inclusive approach that allows the Australian people to decide what kind of republic they want."

The ARM submission canvasses five possible republican models but does not advocate one model over others. Professor Warhurst stated that "Our position remains that it is for the Australian people to decide what kind of republic Australia should have, as determined through a plebiscite and referendum process."

The ARM will be appearing at the Inquiry's first hearing at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Parramatta in Sydney's west at 11:15am today. Public hearings will be held in Melbourne tomorrow and other capital cities in May and June. All hearings are open to the public.

The ARM's submission is available on the Committee's website.

Further information regarding the Inquiry is available on the Senate Committee's website.