“An Australian Head Of State provides our chance to bring the different strands of our history together in a shared vision for an Australia which truly represents who we are today.
It’s a chance to chart our own course.
We are a unique and successful multicultural country. We need someone who understands that to embody us, safeguard our Constitution, be a unifying symbol at home and represent us proudly abroad.
Our Head Of State should work for us full-time and be fully committed. They should be elected on merit, have the skills to do the job, be one of us, accountable to us and unwaveringly loyal to us. ”
Who are we?
We are the peak body advocating on behalf of the Australian people for an Australian republic with an Australian as our Head of State.
We believe the Australian people would be better served by a local who can champion the needs and interests of the people. The Australian people are at heart of our movement and we consistently seek their input, feedback and thoughts. It’s not about the ARM or any one interest group or member, it’s about the Australian people and giving them the power to decide how they are governed and by whom. The ARM is the facilitator, the conversation starter and the campaigner for the people.
Our commitment is to strengthening our democracy and celebrating who we are as a nation by putting the Australian people at the core of our government, as opposed to a foreign Head of State.
We are a member-driven body with members able to help shape our policy and campaign.
Our leaders are elected to steer the organisation on behalf of our members. They are volunteers who are passionate about an Australian republic.
You can find out about the ARM here.
What is a republic?
A republic is a system of government where sovereignty is held by the people. The power to govern is vested in the elected representatives of the people. These representatives are drawn from amongst the people, and they are charged with acting on behalf of the people and in their best interests.
Of, by and for the people.
In some countries, like the United States, the President is both Head of State and Head of Government – sometimes referred to as an Executive President. In other countries, like Ireland, the President is largely a ceremonial Head of State, while the Prime Minister is the Head of Government and holds executive power.
At present, Australia is a constitutional monarchy. We have a King – King Charles III is King of Australia. He is our Head of State. The King is gifted this position by birthright. He isn’t elected or appointed or even endorsed by the people. And he’s given the position for life, and then it is passed on to his heir or first-born child. While Charles is King of Australia, he is in fact a British citizen and lives in the United Kingdom.
The King appoints a Governor-General, on the advice of the Prime Minister, to serve as his local representative. The Governor-General is vested with the King’s powers to act on behalf of His Majesty to provide Royal Assent to Bills, to issue writs for elections and appoint (and dismiss) officeholders, including the Prime Minister and Ministers of State.
We think it’s time for an Australian to be our Head of State: to embody who we are as a nation and as a people, to safeguard our Constitution, to ensure the smooth operation of Parliament and Government, and represent us at home and abroad, while the Prime Minister, as Head of Government, continues to administer the country and set public policy through the Executive (ministers) and Parliament.
You can find out more here.
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Our Values
Unity and Belonging
We celebrate Australia as the most successful multicultural community in the world, built on 65,000 years of Indigenous culture, over 230 years of European settlement and British institutions, and a vibrant immigration program which welcomes people from all backgrounds – where we are all proud to belong.
Equality and Aspiration
We believe in merit, equal opportunity, the Australian notion of having a go, and the principle that every job should be filled by an Australian with the right skills and experience.
Democracy and Choice
We embrace the Westminster system of government, the separation of powers, the rule of law, responsible government, free and fair elections, and the primacy of the will of the Australian people to be masters of our own destiny.
Bipartisanship and Collaboration
We believe an Australian republic is beyond politics and goes to the very heart of who we are as a nation, and as such seek to collaborate and engage with Australians from all walks of life to achieve a shared vision for Australia’s future.
Integrity and Leadership
We champion truth, honesty and respect, and believe in accountability, integrity and leadership in the best interests of Australia and our people.