ARM MEDIA RELEASE - 29 November 2005

New republican leader elected

Thirty-one-year-old Ted O'Brien from Brisbane is the new national Chair of the Australian Republican Movement (ARM).

Mr O'Brien takes over from Professor John Warhurst, who has stepped down after three years in the role.

Once again, the ARM has shown its ability to produce a new generation of leadership. The election of a new Chair is confirmation that the republican cause is not going away, that the campaign for an Australian as Head of State continues.

Mr O'Brien comes from the grassroots of the organisation and was most recently Deputy Chair of the ARM.

His background is primarily in international business, having lived, worked and studied across Australia, Asia and Europe.

Mr O'Brien paid tribute to Professor Warhurst's leadership: "Under John's guidance, the ARM has built greater unity among republicans, sharpened its lobbying efforts to focus on a plebiscite process and encouraged the vision of an Australian Head of State to be owned by all Australians."

"I have a lot to live up to with the great leadership provided by John Warhurst and I am pleased that he will be continuing to make a contribution on the ARM's National Committee."

"The challenge ahead is to work with the Australian community to realise its vision of an Australian as our next Head of State."

Mr O'Brien added: "The republic belongs to the people and it reflects our pride and confidence in being Australian. It is about who we are as a people and where we are heading as a nation."

Anne Henderson from the Sydney Institute and Terry Fewtrell from the ACT are the two Deputy Chairs.