ARM MEDIA RELEASE - 17 May 2004

ARM welcomes second leg of Senate Inquiry

The Senate Legal and Constitutional References Committee will this week be holding hearings in Perth, Adelaide and Hobart for its Inquiry into an Australian Republic.

The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) has welcomed the Inquiry, particularly the multi-partisan nature of the Committee. The ARM's national Chair, Professor John Warhurst, stressed that a republic would only eventuate with cooperation among all of Australia's political leaders.

Professor Warhurst said that the ARM considers the Inquiry to be 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.

"With the republican issue back on the national agenda, the ARM is looking forward to furthering this debate through the Inquiry process," said Professor Warhurst.

The ARM appeared before the Inquiry in Sydney last month, after submitting a sizable and considered contribution to the Inquiry. The submission focuses on the ARM's preferred process for building an Australian Republic, involving three plebiscites and an elected Convention. The first plebiscite focuses on whether Australia should become a republic, the second asks Australians their preferred model and a third asks 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 the process reflects the ARM's belief that the Australian people must choose what type of republican model is put to the next referendum. "It 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 state branches of the ARM welcomed the Senate Committee to their capital cities, highlighting that local hearings provided a means for Australians around the country to contribute to the debate on a future Australian Republic.

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

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