ARM MEDIA RELEASE - 11 June 2004

ARM's Queen's Birthday Holiday statement

The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) Chair, Prof. John Warhurst, and National Director, Ms Allison Henry, today released the ARM's Queen's Birthday Holiday statement.

THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY HOLIDAY

The Chair of the ARM, Prof. John Warhurst today contended that this holiday weekend should act as a reminder to Australians that we have a British Head of State rather than one of our own. He said that "Australia should be looking forward to a republican constitution instead of celebrating a reminder of our status as a monarchy."

Prof. Warhurst noted that every opinion poll shows that a clear majority of Australians want an Australian, one of their own, as their Head of State and highlighted that "if we don't change our constitution shortly our next Head of State will be the heir to the British monarch, King Charles. That is a nonsensical position for an independent and modern nation to put itself in, and Australians should encourage their federal representatives to do something about it."

THE FEDERAL ELECTION

In the forthcoming election campaign the ARM will continue its work to progress the Republican cause while ensuring it does not become an unnecessarily divisive issue between the political parties. The ARM is delighted that the republican cause is supported right across the political spectrum. As a multi-partisan organisation itself, the ARM does not want to see this unique character threatened by divisive debate. While the ARM is committed to raising awareness of the republic issue between now and the election, it will maintain its strictly neutral and non-partisan approach in terms of political party support.

Before the forthcoming election the ARM will be surveying each candidate, seeking a declaration as to whether or not they support an Australian Head of State. These declarations will then be made public to inform voters.

The ARM's National Director, Ms Allison Henry, said: "The Republic is an issue about which almost all Australians have an opinion. It is only reasonable then that all candidates seeking the support of voters should also have an opinion and should be willing to share that opinion with voters. In the spirit of public education the ARM stands ready to provide information for any candidate who wishes to educate themselves further about these issues before taking a public position."

Prof Warhurst stated that "The ARM looks forward to the issue of an Australian Head of State being addressed after the election either by a republican Latham Labor Government or by a Howard Coalition government containing a great number of republican supporters. In either case the ARM anticipates continuing to work alongside all republicans in the Commonwealth Parliament. In the spirit of our democracy, and recognising majority community support, Australians deserve a second opportunity to vote for a republic at a constitutional referendum. That process should be initiated in the next term of parliament."