ARM MEDIA RELEASE - 20 Sep 2006

Ambassadors now Welcome to an Australian Republic

The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) has welcomed the public news that all new ambassadors to Australia have to present their credentials upon arrival in Canberra, not to the Queen, but to the Governor-General.

This represents another small but non-constitutional step towards ARM's larger goal of an Australian Head of State in an Australian Republic.

Ted O'Brien, National Chair of the ARM said "The government has the ARM's absolute support in taking this step en route towards the ultimate prize of having an Australian replacing Queen Elizabeth II as Australia's Head of State".

"At the very core", said Mr O'Brien, "the republic is about vesting sovereignty of our nation in the Australian people, rather than a foreign monarch. This step is part of an evolutionary process and I welcome the recognition by the Howard government of the republican mood of the Australian people. The process towards a republic might seem unduly slow at times but this decision is another indication that the ultimate direction is clear".