ARM Media Statement - 10 March 2000

Australian Republican Movement starts 21st Century push with appointment of new national director

Long time ARM member and Army officer, James Terrie, has been appointed national director of the ARM to assist it recruit more members and – following last November’s republic referendum – build a new consensus for an Australian Head of State.

The chairman of the Australian Republican Movement, Malcolm Turnbull, said that four months after the referendum there was growing enthusiasm within the ARM and across the Australian community to ensure that the republican cause in Australia is again focused and well organised.

“We have dusted ourselves off, collected our thoughts on the lessons of last year’s referendum and are ready to do what is necessary over the next few years to make sure Australia becomes a republic,” said Mr Turnbull.

“An important part of that effort is a vibrant and well managed Australian Republican Movement.

“The appointment of James Terrie will help make sure that our members and the Australian people are involved in the new move to an Australian republic, and that a well informed and inclusive debate is started on what sort of republic Australia wants, and how the Australian people get to choose that republic.”

As well as Mr Terrie’s appointment, senior ARM members are coordinating redrafting the ARM constitution and establishing a new ARM structure best suited to take the Head of State debate forward. It is expected a new national board and structure will be operating by May or June this year

"The visit of our Head of State, the Queen of England, during the next few weeks,” said Mr Turnbull, "will focus the minds of many Australians on how odd it is that here we are in the 21st century, but still have the foreign monarch of another country as our Head of State. This is an ideal time for the ARM to begin reaching out to its existing members and to all republicans to begin a new push for an Australian Head of State.”

Mr Terrie will coordinate that national activities of the Australian Republican Movement and will work with State and Territory Committees. Based in Sydney, Mr Terrie was born in Western Australia and has also lived in South Australia, Queensland, the ACT and Victoria. He was schooled in Perth and joined the Army in 1983. He graduated from the Royal Military College Duntroon in December 1986 and undertook various appointments including five years with the 1st Commando Regiment. During his time in the Army he has traveled extensively in Australia.

Mr Terrie has a BA (Hons) from UNE and is currently undertaking a Ph.D. part time in International Relations at UNSW. He is on the council of the NSW branch of the Australian Institute of International Affairs and is a supporter of a number of causes including Amnesty International and the RSPCA.

Authorised by Malcolm Turnbull, Australian Republican Movement, 60 Park Street, Sydney NSW 2000