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ARM MEDIA RELEASE - 25 January 2005
Republican aspirations for our future
In
advance of Australia Day tomorrow, the Australian Republican
Movement (ARM) today issued its Australia Day Statement.
Professor
John Warhurst, Chair of the ARM, said "Australia Day
is an ideal opportunity for Australians to reflect on
what makes this country great. Recent events have highlighted
the compassion and generosity of Australians, for which
we are all justly proud.
"But Australia Day is also an occasion to reflect on
our aspirations for this country into the future, to
contemplate the kind of society we want to leave to
our children and grandchildren. An Australian republic
with our own Head of State is a vital feature of our
vision for a strong, independent and confident Australia."
The ARM's National Director, Allison Henry, stated that
the ARM would continue to campaign for an Australian
Head of State throughout 2005. "Polls continue to demonstrate
that a majority of Australians favour the move to an
Australian republic. It's been more than five years
since the last referendum and support for an Australian
Head of State has not diminished. It's time the question
was revisited, and we look forward to some political
leadership on this issue in the year ahead."
Professor Warhurst said that the ARM would be pushing
for greater constitutional awareness and education,
both in our schools and the community more generally.
Professor Warhurst said that "It is apparent that too
few Australians understand how our political system
operates. Last year's Senate Inquiry into an Australian
Republic stressed the need for informed participation
in the political process in the lead-up to a renewed
debate on Australia becoming a republic.
"The ARM supports the Inquiry's recommendation that
a new Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Constitutional
Education and Awareness with adequate resources to facilitate
decent education campaigns be established. The Howard
government should act on this recommendation immediately,"
said Professor Warhurst.
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