Our 2020 response

MEDIA RELEASE – Thursday, 23/4/2009

AN AUSTRALIAN REPUBLIC—“APPROPRIATE REFORM”

The Australian Republican Movement expressed its regret that, in its response to last years 2020 Summit recommendations, the Government has made no firm commitment to the issue with the strongest support at the gathering—an Australian republic.

The report did not specifically mention the republic, merely saying that the Government was “…committed to ongoing reform of our constitution where appropriate and will draw on the input of the 2020 summit in thinking about future possible proposals for constitutional change”.

Major General Michael Keating, the Chair of the Australian Republican Movement, said that although republicans would be disappointed, most would accept that the Government had put the issue on hold as a result of the current economic climate.

However, the vagueness of the Government’s statement was, he said, a concern.

“We are pleased that the Government is committed to reforming the Constitution where appropriate, because nothing could be more appropriate than reform which leads to severing existing ties with the British monarchy,” said Major General Keating.

“However, who will be doing the thinking and what is the timeframe for this consideration?”

Major General Keating said reports that the Government might delay any move to a republic until the end of the Queen’s reign were difficult to understand.

“Delaying consideration of the issue until the present monarch’s death or abdication just doesn’t make common sense,” said Major General Keating.

“This is an Australian issue which should not be tied to events outside our control. We are not considering ending ties with one individual but with monarchical system which will not change when the current monarch ceases to occupy the position,” he said.

“Rather, the system will automatically produce another unelected, hereditary, borrowed, foreign monarch to sit at the apex of Australia’s constitutional arrangements.”

“In a practical sense, it also doesn’t make sense to wait because the process will take years and will hardly start on the day the present monarch dies or abdicates. The best time to start preparing for Australia’s future is now. The actual date of implementation could easily be part of the considerations.

“A substantial majority of Australians want to cut our ties to the British monarchy. The parliament and the government were elected by these same Australians to implement the issues that are important to us. There is really no reason to further delay the national re-consideration of the republic issue.”

Further comments:
Michael Keating (ARM Chair): 0412 337 137 (or chair@republic.org.au)
David Donovan (ARM Media Director): 0403 237 880 (or media@republic.org.au)