AusRepublic Updates
National Director’s Report
President, Chancellor, Chief, Commander, Chair, Principal.
What’s in a name?
Gravitas, significance, esteem, reverence, strength, respect.
It’s time to consider the title of our next Head of State – and it’s not going to be King!
We want a Commander-in-Chief, an Advocate-in-Chief, a Promoter-in-Chief, a Champion-in-Chief, a Guardian-in-Chief and a Representative-in-Chief.
They need to open doors and make Australia an equal.
They need to walk into rooms with Kings, Queens, Presidents and other Heads of State, and put Australia on the map. Advocate for Australia as a destination for tourism and events. Promote Australian interests around the globe and command our military. Champion Australian industry and trade, and sell our products and services to the world. Safeguard our Constitution. Represent our people and showcase Aussie talent at home and abroad.
So what should we call them?
Aussies tell us they don’t want a US-style executive president where the President is Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson. They want to keep the separation of the roles of Head of State and Head of Government.
So can we still call them President?
The Irish Presidential model is similar. Their President is a figurehead with limited powers to ensure the smooth operation of government and their parliament, while the Taoiseach or Prime Minister remains in charge of the administration, policy and politics of the nation.
So I think President works, but what do you think?
Using the business analogy, the President is the Chair and the PM is the CEO – a partnership for running a successful enterprise, keeping each other in check and increasing accountability.
I’ve deliberately used a business metaphor because one of the primary benefits of the new Head of State which is overlooked is that it will deliver economic benefits to the nation.
Our King promotes Britain and British products on international visits. The Royals lobby for events to be held in the United Kingdom. They champion local charities and businesses boosting support for their products and services.
Our King doesn’t do this for us, nor does his Governor-General.
This is the moment for our own local champion. Our own Head of State. Our own President.
This is the moment for an Australian republic.
When our King visits for a couple of days in October, let’s be ready to tell him, “Thanks, but we’ve got it from here”.
If you agree, please support the campaign with a donation here.
Regards,
Isaac Jeffrey
National Director & CEO
Australian Republic Movement
📢Take action NOW!📢
We asked, the King answered. We need you to speak up NOW!
The Australian Republic Movement wrote to King Charles requesting a meeting during his visit to Australia later this year. This is his reply, stating that whether the meeting takes place is up to the Australian government.
Let’s make sure the Australian Government hears our request for this meeting.
📢 What we need you to do now:
✅ Contact Prime Minister Anthony Albanese telling him you want the Australian Republic Movement to meet with King Charles using this contact form. You can use the letter we wrote for inspiration - don’t be afraid to show your passion for a republic!
✅ Go to Anthony Albanese’s social media channels and leave a comment saying Australians want to discuss a republic with King Charles. Find the links here: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
✅ Sign and circulate the petition: We want a meeting with King Charles to discuss an Australian republic.
With your help, we can make an Australian republic a reality.
national updates
👋 National Committee Elections
We wanted to give you a heads up that elections for our National Committee (ARM’s Board of Directors) will be held in coming months.
If you have board experience and a passion for delivering an Australian republic, please keep a look out for the announcement.
Candidates will be given the opportunity to submit a photo, bio and short pitch video on why you believe you are the republic champion we need to help steer the organisation through the King’s visit.
If you know of others who would make great board members, please reach out and encourage them to apply.
Members will be able to review the candidates’ information packs and attend an online forum to hear directly from candidates during the election window.
Please note you will need to be a member of the Australian Republic Movement to be eligible. We encourage you to join today.
Stay tuned for more details!
👋 Join us at the Member’s Drop In Session
Want to find out more about the campaign? Keen to hear details of plans for the King’s visit? Have some burning questions about the process and the work of the Australian Republic Movement? Come along to the National Director’s Members Drop In Session held via Zoom on Wednesday 15 May 2024 at 3pm.
Please note this is an event for paid-up members of the Australian Republic Movement. Members have been sent details as to how to join via email on Friday 3 May. Please email info@republic.org.au if you need assistance.
If you’re not a current member but would like to attend, we invite you to join as a member of the Australian Republic Movement. Once you’ve signed up, please email info@republic.org.au asking for a Zoom link to the meeting.
Can’t make it? We’ll record the session and send a copy to members shortly after the event.
We hope to see you there!
News from your region
👋 Meet Co-Chair Craig Foster and ARM Leadership in Western Australia
You're invited to our upcoming event at the Oxford Hotel on Wednesday, May 22nd, starting at 6:30 PM.
Meet with Co-Chair Craig Foster, WA Convenor Bodhi Hardinge, and National Director & CEO Isaac Jeffrey for an insightful update on the campaign. This is your chance to hear first hand about our plans for an Australian republic and ask any key questions you may have.
We value our WA members and supporters greatly - and your input is crucial to our shared mission for an Australian republic!
Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect, engage, and be part of something meaningful.
Please ensure you RSVP to this event using the link below.
👋 Politics at the Pub with the Victorian Branch Council
Join us for a 'Politics in the Pub' gathering hosted by the Victorian Branch of the Australian Republic Movement.
Come mingle with fellow members at The Clyde Hotel from 2pm on the 1st of June as we chat about the future of our Branch.
Don't forget to RSVP using the button below. All are welcome!
👋 Get ready for trivia with the ACT Branch!
Get ready to showcase your smarts and rally behind the Australian Republic Movement at our upcoming trivia night! Hosted by the ACT Branch, we invite you to join us for an evening packed with brain-teasing questions, laughter, and friendship. Stay tuned for the official date announcement in June and bring your friends along for a night of fun, facts, and a dash of friendly competition in the spirit of an Aussie republic!
👋 Volunteer in Victoria!
Are you interested in getting things moving on the ground in Victoria? The Victorian Branch Council is keen to work with members to help get sub-groups going on the ground.
We’re also looking at finding volunteers for street stalls later in the year. Please get in touch with us at vic@republic.org.au if you’re able to help.
👋 SA Branch Council recruitment drive
The South Australian Branch Council needs YOU. We’re looking to recruit more members to progress the ARM Strategy through the Branch work agenda. The Council meets monthly, mostly by Zoom, with the next meeting being on Monday 27 May. The occasional face-to-face meeting also provides an opportunity to get to know one another better.
The Council needs your passion, activism, ideas and the skills you have gained through life experience. You will join a group of like-minded people that collaborate, communicate and consult to raise interest in and understanding of an Australian republic and an Australian as our Head of State. And we share a laugh along the way!
We are all volunteers, so you won’t be paid for your involvement, rather you’ll be able to say you’re contributing to a great cause. You will receive an ARM T-shirt, shopping tote and a lapel pin when you join.
All members of the SA Branch Council need to be paid up members of the ARM. If you’re interested but not a member, you can join here.
If you are interested, want more details, please contact sa@republic.org.au, preferably by 19 May.
women’s network news
Deputy Convenor of the Victorian Branch Council Liz Walker was recently appointed to the role of National Co-Convenor of the Women’s Network, replacing Jane Hasler (NSW) who has stepped aside.
Liz said she was thrilled to be taking on a leadership role in the Women’s Network Management Group.
“I am looking forward to empowering women, particularly younger women, to become involved with the Movement and to representing their views, as they will undoubtedly play a key role in advocating for a republic.”
Liz said she has supported an Australian republic since she was a child.
“When I was in primary school, I remember sitting in an assembly hearing about Australia’s connection with the British monarchy. As a 10-year-old, I was shocked that as an independent, federated country, we were still so intertwined with an institution that I believed had no modern relevance to the governance of our country.”
“Through my law studies at university, my view that we should have an Australian Head of State became further entrenched when I learned about our nation’s legislative reliance on the British monarchy to this day”, she added.
Liz said she was looking forward to helping grow women’s membership and facilitating the collaboration of ARM women on ideas to gain traction for a republic among women and Australians more broadly.
“The Women’s Network is an incredibly important group in the Movement as it works to ensure that the Australian republic of tomorrow reflects a cohesive, representative nation”, she said.
To contact the Women’s Network, send an email to womensnetwork@republic.org.au.
Media updates
✅ King Charles’ Coronation Anniversary: Australia an afterthought
The Australian Republic Movement has acknowledged the first anniversary of King Charles’ Coronation, noting Australia continues to be just an afterthought for our King.
National Director and CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “The King has announced the results of a review of his Royal Patronages in the UK to coincide with the first anniversary of his coronation. While a much smaller number of organisations with Royal Charters or the word Royal in their titles here in Australia continue to wait on an unknown timeline to see if their patronages will be renewed”.
✅ In service of our nation and democracy
The Australian Republic Movement has joined Australians and New Zealanders in commemorating ANZAC Day.
National Director and CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “ANZAC Day is time to honour our service men and women. It is a time to embrace and to thank our soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, and their families for their dedication and sacrifice. It’s a time to show our pride and our appreciation for those who have worn the uniform to defend our nation, our allies, our values and our democracy”.
