ARM media release: 'How about a head of state that supports Australia at sport?'

Submitted by davdon on Thu, 03/09/2009 - 11:14
in

MEDIA RELEASE

HOW ABOUT A HEAD OF STATE THAT SUPPORTS AUSTRALIA AT SPORT?

A recent UMR Research poll has shown the majority of Australians want both a republic and a vote on the issue in the next term of the Federal Government.

The poll also gathered information about why respondents want Australia to be a republic, some of the responses being:

·              it’s time to cut ties with Great Britain;

·          monarchy is an outdated concept;

·         there are few benefits to Australia from the current system; and

·         Australia is strong and can stand alone in the world.

The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) would like to alert Australian’s to another advantage in becoming a republic:

·         having a head of state that supports, rather than actively works against, Australia’s interests.

In May, Australia launched a bid to host the 2018 Football World Cup. Meanwhile, the heir to the Australian throne, Prince William, is publicly backing the rival English bid for this event.

The ARM is launching a video to support the Australian World Cup bid, and demonstrate the absurdity of the current situation in which the English family that by hereditary right provides Australia’s Head of State is actively promoting another nation’s interests at Australia’s expense.

You can watch this video by following the link below, or by cutting and pasting the web address to your internet browser:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1-dDmyw53M

“Australians need a head of state out there actively promoting Australia’s interests, not working against us,” said the Chair of the ARM, Major General Michael Keating.

“This is so not just in terms of the Australian World Cup bid, but also in situations where Australia trade interests may be affected. It is well known that the Windsor family are very active promoters of British export industries, frequently to the possible detriment of Australia,” he said.

Thursday, 3 September, 2009

Further comments:

Michael Keating (ARM Chair):                       0412 337 137 (or chair@republic.org.au)

David Donovan (ARM Media):                     0403 237 880 (or media@republic.org.au)