ARM MEDIA RELEASE - 10 June 2005

The unfinished business of Australia's republic

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

Professor Warhurst stated: "The Queen's birthday long weekend serves as an annual reminder to Australians about the unfinished business of our republic. It reminds us that we remain a constitutional monarchy with a hereditary and largely absentee Head of State.

"Frankly, Australia in the 21st century deserves better: an Australian Head of State unambiguously filled by an Australian, chosen by Australians and representing only Australia."

Ms Henry continued, "The celebration of our absentee monarch's birthday is one of the most redundant features of Australian life. While we all like a holiday, this one is not even national: Western Australia celebrates the Queen's birthday in September. Not that it really matters, the Queen's actual birthday is on April 21. We'd really prefer to see a national day of celebration that focuses on Australian life, rather than a holiday that's not even celebrated in the United Kingdom."

Professor Warhurst called on the Federal Government not to delay any further the government's response to a major Senate report, "The Road to a Republic", submitted to the government more than nine months ago.

"In particular, the government ought to act on one of the report's key recommendations, and set up a Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Constitutional Education and Awareness," stated Professor Warhurst.

"The Senate Legal and Constitutional References Committee last year proposed that a fully resourced parliamentary committee be established to facilitate and oversee ongoing education and awareness programs to improve Australians' awareness and understanding of the Constitution and our system of government. Such an initiative can positively contribute to a more informed and inclusive debate on the republican issue by improving Australians knowledge and understanding of their constitution."