ARM MEDIA RELEASE - 22 May 2007

AUSTRALIAN REPUBLICANS AND BRITISH ARMY

The Australian media's reporting of the question of whether Prince Harry should serve in Iraq misses the whole point, according to the spokesperson for the Australian Republican Movement, John Warhurst. Whether or not Harry serves with the British Army in Iraq is beside the point. The question would be of interest to Australians only if Harry was serving in the Australian Army. That will never happen because Harry, by definition, is a member of the British Royal Family. He is not an Australian. The male members of the British Royal Family serve in the British Army. This only serves to reinforce the central point made by Australian republicans. Professor Warhurst says: "Let's get rid of the British Royal family (Elizabeth, Charles, William, Harry and all the others) from Australian constitutional and public life. What they do in Britain is their concern and not ours".

Australians at the moment are condemned to a constitutional monarchy with the position of Head of State filled from within the British Royal family. Australians deserve an Australian Head of State, chosen by us, who can serve Australia in an Australian republic.

Further comment: John Warhurst, ARM, Canberra, 0439498283

May 22 2007