Update the Queen's Birthday holiday

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday, 11 June, 2010

Celebrating the Queen’s birthday in 2010 does nothing to unite Australians or reflect their national aspirations.

Most Australian’s view the holiday as nothing more than an overdue long weekend. There is little celebration of the monarch’s birth anywhere in Australia amongst any part of the community.

“The Queen’s birthday has become a pretty lacklustre event when it is compared to other national days such as Anzac Day and Australia Day. It is not widely celebrated anymore and hasn’t been for decades. Really, it’s just a day off work,” said the Chair of the Australian Republican Movement, Major General Michael Keating.

“Let’s have a discussion about creating a day that captures the public’s imagination and  fosters goodwill and community spirit,” he said.

The Australian Republican Movement would like to suggest a national conversation about what could replace the Queen’s birthday holiday in June. Some suggestions include ‘Diversity Day’, ‘Heritage Day’, ‘Citizenship Day’, ‘National Appreciation Day’ or ‘Reconciliation Day’.

“Updating this public holiday is not a reflection on the Queen, rather it is about doing something positive for the nation to build our national identity,” said Major General Keating.

“Let’s have a public holiday that is significant to all Australians.”

CONTACTS:

Comment:         Mike Keating (Chair), chair@republic.org.au, 0412 337 137

Comment:         John Warhurst (Snr Deputy Chair), John.Warhurst@anu.edu.au, 0439 498 283

Media Liaison:  David Donovan (Media Director), media@republic.org.au, 0403 237 880