Australian Republican Movement
General information and how they are and stuff.
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Australian
Australian Republic
Why a republic?
We need a Head of State who knows what it's like to live here amongst us and be an Australian; who can speak for us and
fully represent us. We need a Head of State who is an Australian citizen not a foreigner; who represents only Australia and its
interests. The campaign for an Australian republic is not about the Queen; it's about Australia's future. We want an Australia
where our children can aspire to our highest office
What is a republic?
According to the Macquarie Dictionary, a republic is a state in which "the supreme power resides in the body of citizens
entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them." In particular, a republic refers to a
system of government that has no hereditary monarch — a person who holds political or constitutional office purely as a
birthright.
In a monarchy, the Head of State is an hereditary monarch who is the symbolic personification of the nation and the source of
all constitutional and democratic authority.
Many people believe that this arrangement is no longer either appropriate or suitable for Australia. We believe that the office
of Head of State should be attained on merit, not birthright. We believe that our Head of State should be an Australian Citizen.
We believe that our Head of State should live in Australia and know what it means to be Australian.
Australia can reach this goal by becoming a republic, with our own Head of State who is chosen on merit rather than on
birthright and who unquestionably represents Australia both at home and abroad. Our own Head of State will meet the Queen
and other Heads of State as an equal.
Who supports an Australian Republic?
Over the past decade, Australians have consistently supported a republic, with an Australian Head of State.
The Australian Republican Movement: Who We Are
The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) was formed in Sydney in July 1991. The movement was established around the
central aim that Australia's Head of State would be an Australian citizen chosen by Australians, and that this could be
achieved in time for the centenary of Australia's Federation on 1 January 2001.
The No vote in the 1999 Referendum delayed our campaign for Australia to become a republic. Since then the ARM has
regrouped and reinvigorated its organisation and continues to work towards an Australian republic.
We are committed to:
•
working to ensure Australia becomes a Republic with an Australian as Head of State
•
representing the views of Republicans around Australia
•
Australia's democracy
emphasising that an Australian Republic embraces Australia's heritage and is the next natural step in the evolution of
•
options are discussed and understood by the Australian people
promoting community discussion and developing various options for an Australian Republic, and helping to ensure these
•
encouraging greater understanding of Australia's Constitution and system of government
•
The ARM is supported by Australians from all walks of life and all parts of the country. Supporters of an Australian Head of
State live in the cities and suburbs, in regional, rural and remote Australia. They include indigenous Australians, descendants
of the First Fleet and our most recent citizens. ARM supporters are drawn from all political parties and many who have no
political persuasion. It is truly a mainstream movement.
emphasising that Australia will only become a Republic if Australians vote to support it
ARM organisation
The ARM is coordinated by a National Committee with a National Director who manages the organisation from the National
Office in Sydney. The National Committee includes 8 Members elected every 2 years by a national ballot of the ARM
Members, 8 Members appointed by the State and Territory Branches and one Member of the Youth Wing elected every 2
years by a ballot of the members of the Youth Wing.
The ARM has a Branch Council in each State and Territory. Branch Councils organise and promote meetings, dinners and
debates, media events and similar functions in support of the ARM’s objectives; distribute literature in support of the creation
of an Australian Republic and raise funds for these purposes and to cover administrative costs.
Branch Councils oversee forums that coordinate ARM activities at the local community level, assist with education, organise
events and activities, assist the raising of funds and take the campaign for an Australian Republic into the places where
Australian live, work and meet.
ARM National Committee 2004-2006
•
Ted O’Brien (Chair & Chair, Nat Strategy Group)
•
Anne Henderson (Dep Chair)
•
Terry Fewtrell (Dep Chair & ACT Convenor)
•
Richard Fidler (Chair, Constitutional Issues Com)
•
Tom Callachor (National Youth Convenor)
•
Senator Marise Payne
•
Will Fowles
•
John Warhurst
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Senator Natasha Stott Despoja
•
Ka Sing Chua
•
Annie Tennant (Acting NSW Convenor)
•
David O’Brien (QLD Convenor)
•
Lisa Singh (TAS Convenor)
•
Peter Van Vliet (VIC Convenor)
•
Julie Armstrong (WA Convenor)
ARM National Director
Allison Henry
.
This work is licenced under a Attribution licence.
© WORLDpeace, =] 2006. First published on actnow.com.au
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