Republican Round-Up April 09
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Australian based news, events, updates and information Editor- Lyn Petrie |
April 2009 |
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Welcome - Message from the Chair
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Dear Members,
By the time you read this it will be Easter - where has 2009 gone?
The National Committee met (by teleconference) on 23 Feb and 30 Mar and Branch Councils have also been active kicking off their 2009 activities.
At the 23 Feb NC meeting the NC confirmed the draft revised policy statement, previously circulated to all members, with only minor amendment. Elsewhere in this edition of RR you will find some details. While this current position statement is not wildly different to what existed previously, it does help to confirm the changes that have developed over the years since the referendum and gives us a firm platform from which to work. Naturally, it remains under review as circumstances change.
I hope that you have had a look at the redeveloped website, www.republic.org.au .We welcome your thoughts on the changes to staff@republic.org.au . While it is still a work in progress it already provides much greater functionality and potential .We are aiming at making the website a much more current news and information tool. Watch that space!
At the 30 Mar NC meeting the NC endorsed a number of changes to our media strategy and these are objectives that we will be striving to achieve in 2009. The NC also considered some merchandising options and one outcome of this is that you will see a new ARM badge featuring our new logo in the next few months. While we don’t intend to hold a wide variety of merchandise items as inventory stock we are investigating suitable ways of offering variety on a ‘produce on order’ basis.
The NC also discussed the development of a Campaign Plan which we will definitely need when the time comes to engage and influence the wider uncommitted Australian people audience after the starter’s gun is fired for any plebiscite/ referendum. This is a significant undertaking for a volunteer organisation but we are determined to get the ball rolling. More in future editions of Republican Roundup.
On the subject of Republican Roundup, you will see that Lyn Petrie, the Junior Deputy Chair, has volunteered to take over as Editor starting with this edition! This gives our previous editor, David Donovan, a bit more time to devote to his work as Media Director. David oversaw a number of developments in the newsletter. So thanks David and good luck Lyn.
Best wishes, Mike Keating National Chair 31 Mar 2009
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National Committee
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Revised Policy |
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New ARM Republican Policy Peter van Vliet
When ARM Chair Mike Keating delegated the task of updating the ARM’s republican policy I took on the task with some trepidation. Getting us committed and passionate republicans to agree on anything has always been challenging but after going through the exercise I think we have come out with a refreshed and substantially improved policy to take us forward in the coming years.
Our new policy was work-shopped by our national committee in November last year and then sent out to all ARM members over the summer period. We received over 100 member responses and a large number of members were supportive of the policy which reassured us that we were moving in the right direction.
Our previous republican policy dates back to 2003 and much water had gone under the bridge since then. While our previous policy was very broad and inclusive, for instance it included a US style presidency as one possible option, there was a growing feeling we needed to tighten it up to remove elements that were clearly never going to fly or were only ever intended as discussion points.
The number of suggested ‘selection methods’ was reduced from six to four and includes the popular direct election method as the first possible method of selection. Any remaining inference that the ARM somehow ‘opposes’ direct election—which has clearly not been the case since 1999—can hopefully be extinguished once and for all.
The remaining selection methods—the hybrid model (part direct election/part parliamentary appointment); parliamentary appointment; and selection by eminent council —are seen to also have reasonable support in various republican constituencies and thus worthy of continued consideration. The US style presidency and Prime Ministerial appointment were removed as these are now seen to not have sufficient public or republican support to justify continued inclusion. There were very few objections to these two methods being removed from our membership.
There was also a feeling that our recommended process of getting to a republic was slightly too long. In the end we decided to remove the Constitutional Convention from the recommended process bringing the number of steps in that process down from four stages down to three. The recommended process is now a non-binding plebiscite on the threshold republican question; a non-binding plebiscite on the selection method; and then the crucial referendum itself. This accorded with the bipartisan 2004 Senate report on the Road to a Republic. It also gives complete say in what type of republic we have over to the people and what could be more republican than that. Interestingly only two member submissions opposed the Constitutional Convention being removed from our policy.
A crucial element of the new policy is an increased emphasis on what we call the framework around an Australian head of state. The ARM believes that if this framework is adopted any of our suggested selection methods can work and complement our existing system of parliamentary and federal government. This includes things like the Head of State being non-executive and having powers broadly similar to our current Governor-General and the Head of State only being dismissed by a significant majority of the federal parliament. We received good feedback around the dismissal process from our members’ feedback which helped us tighten up this section.
Another critical element of the new policy is the concept of the sovereignty of the Australian people: that core democratic principle that unites almost all republicans. No selection method can be foisted on the Australian people and it is for the Australian people to decide what selection method they prefer. On current indications the preferred method is direct election and the ARM will support that method unconditionally if that is the people’s choice following a democratic process.
We have also increased the emphasis on public consultation and education as critical to any moves toward successful constitutional change. Most inquiries and research around this issue have stressed the need for greater education and consultation around our constitutional arrangements. That can only be a good thing.
Importantly our policy is only a guide to assist the Australian people and their representatives in plotting a way forward. Any decision on how to get to a republic will ultimately be a decision for them. On behalf of the National Committee I would like to thank the considerable number of ARM members who responded to the draft policy and often offered detailed and sophisticated advice. These submissions were all read, categorised and discussed. We couldn’t agree with everybody all of the time as the views of our membership—just like the Australian public—are diverse. But any consistent themes that emerged (such as the need to tighten up the dismissal process) were incorporated into the final policy—as were helpful wordsmithing and technical suggestions.
We now have a succinct and straightforward republican policy for those interested in the policy side of the republican debate. But equally important we now need to work on the hearts and minds of the many Australians, arguably including our Prime Minister, who although they may be republican in sentiment or belief are yet to be convinced of the need to prioritise the republican agenda. But a truly independent, egalitarian and sovereign Australia just has to be a priority that would enrich both our county and us as individual Australians. There is no compelling reason why this issue should not be tackled while we tackle all the other great and momentous issues confronted by Australia and its citizens over our great history of struggle, adventure and enterprise. The alternative is the republic can go on being an ‘inevitability’ for another 150 years: I for one would say let’s get going. Read new policy here......
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ARM Fighting Fund |
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Last year the ARM began the tradition of seeking donations each year for a special Fighting Fund. We seek this assistance on the proviso that any funds donated be used ONLY for the purpose listed below. We understand that many members don’t want their donation swallowed up in general administration costs, and we would like to publicly thank donors in RR unless they wish otherwise. The remaining months of 2009 are going to be critical, as far as keeping the republic in the public consciousness, so I encourage you to help with this project if you are able. This year we ask your support for one-off expenditure associated with our move to a new logo and new green and gold colours. We need new banners for ARM functions and new merchandise, such as lapel badges and advertising stickers. These are essential for our campaigning, but difficult to afford within our limited budget. The total cost just to get stated will be about $5,000.00. Please consider a special donation to assist the republican cause. We need your help. To donate please contact the Executive Officer Michelle Macrae-Morgan
John Warhurst Chair Merchandising sub-committee
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Volunteers |
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To the National Office ‘Angels’ Christine McCaffrie and Jenny Shapcott A big thank you for all you do. |
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Book Review
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Churchill and Australia |
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Churchill and Australia By Graham Freudenberg
A book review for the Australian Republican Movement By Michael Hyland
I believe in writing this book Graham Freudenberg has produced a balanced and factual historical document.
What this book illustrates is not just the relationship between Winston Churchill and Australia, including the succession of leaders with whom he interacted between the late nineteenth century and the mid twentieth, but the national attitudinal differences between “the mother country,” and Australia.
Much of the subject of this book took place before the sun set on the British Empire. White Australians of all political persuasions believed in their, “Britishness,” and were proud to be a part of the Empire. This was encouraged by the British establishment yet the relationship was one sided. Despite the rhetoric about equality between the dominions that made up the Empire Australians were treated with condescension and patronized. Our perceived national subordination in the first half of the twentieth century meant that our leaders in many cases tried to be more British than the British.
Reality started to dawn during the second world war when Australia was seriously vulnerable to attack by the Japanese. Britain’s inability to protect its empire left its dominions in SE Asia and Australasia totally exposed apart from a few sacrificial token forces. Curtin’s efforts to deploy Australian troops to defend Australia put him in a position of constant friction with Churchill. As a consequence of this and other issues Australians were often looked down upon as difficult and tedious.
It is often held that we were, “rescued,” by the Americans at this time. In a sense Australia was, however it should also be remembered that the United States was only looking after its own interests and it was coincidental that this was to Australia’s advantage. Nevertheless, Australia played its part and punched above its weight in the Pacific and South-east Asian theatre of war and this was respected by the Americans and British alike.
Moving on to the post war period Britain moved ever closer to Europe in both political and economic terms. Gradually Australians found a whole new confidence in their own identity, developed new relationships on a basis of equality and developed their economic resources for the benefit of Australia.
Despite these growing differences between our two nations Freudenberg gives great credit to Churchill’s stature as a leader and, despite some shortcomings, to the mighty way in which he led Britain’s and it’s allies to defeat the horrible regime of Hitler’s Germany. In closing I’ll paraphrase Freudenberg’s ending;
It is no doubt a good thing to have great and powerful friends and, for all his ambivalence and contradictions, none was as great and powerful a friend as Churchill. In every sense we shall not look upon his like again. That being so, the best lesson to be drawn from the long story of Churchill and Australia is how much, in the final analysis, we must rely upon ourselves.
If this book does not reinforce your conviction that Australia should be an independent republic at least you’ll enjoy an absorbing and informative read.
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Recent Speeches
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The Trajectory of the Australian Republic Debate |
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SENATE OCCASIONAL LECTURE-- March 6 2009
John Warhurst
The trajectory of the Australian republic debate since the 1999 referendum has been generally flat with occasional spikes and dips. That has continued despite the election of the republican Rudd Labor government in November 2007. Monarchist critics of the proposed constitutional change can point out that there has not yet, a decade later, been a repeat of the unsuccessful 1999 referendum and that support for an Australian republic may be now below its peak levels. Supporters can point out that despite a barren period during which a long-serving prime minister made no secret of his personal opposition and was determined not to allow the issue to thrive, republicans still outnumber monarchists by about three to two in Australia. Republicans can also point out the failure of monarchists to gain any ground with the younger generation and to a new emphasis on the future of the monarchy post-Elizabeth II.
The debate has changed in character since 1999 despite the continued presence of some key elements, such as the comparative merits of tradition versus constitutional change, monarchy versus republicanism and the relevance or otherwise of the British monarchy to Australia’s needs in the 21st century. There have been important new developments in the way the issues are argued. These include the emphasis on a plebiscite-driven process prior to a referendum, new and greater emphasis on the role of the Governor-General vis-à-vis the monarch, increasing attention given to Prince Charles as future King of Australia, and tying the timing of change to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Read full speech.....
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Media
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Media Links |
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Around the States
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Queensland |
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Sunshine Coast forum relaunched
The Sunshine Coast forum was relaunched in March. This forum was one of the first set up in Queensland, and had become almost dormant in recent times.
As part of the Queensland Branch Council’s 2009 Strategy to reactivate local forum around the State, around 20 local members and guests gathered for a very pleasant morning tea at the Swan Bowls Club in Maroochydore on Sunday, March 29.
Gold Coast Forum Secretary, Roy McKeen, warmed the guests with an entertaining speech. This was followed by a brief address by me on behalf of the Branch Council. Emphasised in my speech was the vital role healthy forums will need to play in regional Queensland – particularly on the populous Sunshine Coast – for any republican referendum to succeed.
The main event of the meeting, however, was a thought-provoking address by the ARM National Chair, Major General Mike Keating, who also responded to numerous questions from local ARM members. Mike’s talk was followed by a short meeting of the Sunshine Coast forum, in which long-serving ARM member Greg Pittman was elected as the local Forum Convenor. A number of other members joined Greg to form the new Sunshine Coast forum committee.
The mood at the meeting was buoyant and we feels assured that the Sunshine Coast forum will continue it work on behalf of the republic as a vibrant local chapter. [Lyn, please include some of the attached photos in RR.]
Blue Room Brisbane Movie Night
The Queensland Branch welcomes all members and supporters to a screening of the movie ‘Duplicity’, starring Clive Owen, to be held at the Blue Room Cine Bar in Rosalie on Sunday April 19, at 2:15pm. It will feature a 10 minute address by the National Chair, Major General Mike Keating, before the movie.
The Blue Room is one of Brisbane’s best kept secrets; fully licensed, it features opulent furnishings and “Gold-Class” service of food and refreshments during the movie.
Please contact me on 0403 237 880, or at qld@republic.org.au, to book your tickets.
David Donovan Queensland State Convenor
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South Australia |
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AFTERNOON TEA AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE
May 14 2009 Guest speaker: Professor John Warhurst
Make sure you mark 14th May in your diary for afternoon tea at Parliament House. Friends are welcome, and there is No Cost. RSVP’s are essential to arm_sa@optusnet.com.au
Service awards will be presented at this function, so there is still time to let me know if you qualify and have been a member since 1999
Lyn Petrie SA Convenor
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Tasmania |
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Please join us at: Tasmanian Parliament House Wednesday 29 April 6 to 8 pm, in the Reception Hall RSVP: Elizabeth.Mulcahy@justice.tas.gov.au or Ph. 6214 4811 And please bring along friends, family and colleagues.
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Mark in your Diary |
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Upcoming Events· Blue Room Brisbane Movie Night Sun, 04/19/2009 14:15 - 17:00 · Special presentation by Emeritus Professor Boyce at Parliament House Wed, 04/29/2009 18:00 - 20:00 · Youth Event - May 3 Melbourne Sat, 06/06/2009 19:00 Mon, 04/06/2009 19:45
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Your Contribution
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Republican Roundup Contributions |
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If you would like to contribute anything for a future publication or provide any feedback, please email Editor-Republican Roundup. *To ensure your article is included in Republican Roundup please submit it to us as soon as possible - Thank you.
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