ARM MEDIA RELEASE - 06 July 2006

ARM turns 15

The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) will be commemorating its 15th birthday with a dinner at the Australia Ballroom at The Menzies Sydney on Friday evening, 7th July.

"Despite some ups and downs over the years, here at the ARM we are as passionate as ever," said ARM Chair Ted O’Brien. "And while we acknowledge that our work is not yet done, we’d like to pause to commemorate all that’s been achieved since 1991 and commit to continuing our march towards our vision of a Republic with an Australian Head of State."

"The past fifteen years have represented the most sustained republican campaign in Australian history, and we’re still going strong," said ARM National Director Allison Henry.

"While our biggest celebration will come when Australia becomes a Republic, Friday’s dinner is about acknowledging the great progress we’ve made towards an Australia Head of State in the past fifteen years.

"In 1991 a third of Australians favoured the move to a republic while the majority supported the status quo. Today, most Australians understand what a republic is all about, and polls consistently demonstrate that the majority of Australians prefer an Australia Head of State to our current arrangements," said Ms Henry.

The ARM, which has recently moved its National Office from Sydney to Canberra, will continue to promote intelligent debate about this important long-term issue.

"Australia becoming a Republic is the next great milestone in the history of our nation," said Mr O’Brien. "Let’s get on with it."