AusRepublic Updates

National Director’s Report

The outrage over Samantha Mostyn’s appointment as Governor-General is absurd.

And why are people so upset? Because she’s a passionate woman who has spoken out on causes she believes in.

The horror.

Yet we see no fury when Charles champions climate change or William discusses homelessness or Harry goes into bat for veterans and people living with disabilities.

So why the double standard?

Samantha has been called a ‘radical feminist’ as if standing shoulder to shoulder with domestic violence survivors is somehow the wrong thing to do.

She took a position on the Voice, which is apparently wrong, even though we all had to do it – we all had a yes or no choice to make and we made it.

She’s also bizarrely been attacked for not having business skills by at least two major commentators, even though she has a wealth of experience in the corporate sector. But besides that, when did that become a yardstick? The usual procession of Governors-General has been military, judges and politicians, Samantha is the first from the business sector.

So odd. So what really is going on here?

Could it be that the worst ‘mistake’ Samantha has made is that she’s supposedly a supporter of an Australian republic?

Cue the righteous indignation.

Only 8% of Australians are rusted on supporters of the Monarchy. If the new Governor-General is a supporter of Australia becoming a republic, she'd be representing the views of the majority of Aussies – currently over 60% and growing.

And why shouldn’t the Australian Governor-General represent Australian interests?! Why shouldn’t our Governor-General promote our industry and trade, our tourism and our people on the world stage like Charles does for the UK?

Well, that’s because it’s not our Governor-General, it’s the British King’s Governor-General. Samantha Mostyn is about to swear allegiance to a foreign King, not to the interests, laws, constitution or people of Australia.

If there is any outrage about the appointment process it should be on this point alone.

The monarchists are jumping up and down saying the Prime Minister chooses the Governor-General and the King has no say – ignoring the informal stages in the lead up to nominations where the monarch in the past has certainly said no.

But if this is a serious line of attack, and Charles is in fact powerless, then why do we bother keeping him around? What value is he adding? And, why does he need a representative – in a supposedly independent country – at all?

The monarchists can’t have their cake and eat it too. He’s either important and plays a role, or isn’t and doesn’t. Either way, as a proud Aussie, I’d rather we take the reins and control our own destiny.

The outrage caused by the appointment only highlights the need for a better, more democratic way of doing things.

A man 17,000 kilometres away shouldn’t get to appoint our leaders, but rather Aussies should make the call.

Our leaders should represent Australians, not a foreign King.

The Australian Republic Movement wants to partner with all Australians, including the 8% of people who are rusted on monarchy supporters, to create a fairer, more transparent and accountable system.

One where if Australians want to elect someone like Samantha Mostyn as Head of State, they should have that democratic right. They should be able to look at a range of candidates to assess their qualities and experience, and to vote for someone to represent us as a nation and as a people.

If you don’t like the King appointing his Governor-General, then let the Australian people choose.

It’s our country. It’s our future.

This is the moment for someone like Samantha Mostyn to be elected as Australia’s Head of State to represent Aussies, not appointed to represent a foreign King.

This is the moment for an Aussie republic, and if you agree, please consider making a contribution to our movement here.

Regards,

Isaac Jeffrey
National Director & CEO
Australian Republic Movement

News from your region

👋 Join the Tasmanian Branch Council for Politics at the Pub

Join the Tasmanian Branch Council of the Australian Republic Movement in a conversation about republic models throughout the world.

Meet us on Thursday 2 May from 5.30pm at The Republic Bar in North Hobart.

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 the heart of our movement and we are seeking your input and thoughts on a republic model for Australia.

All welcome to this free event - please RSVP using the link below.

To find out more information about this event contact Wendy Le Cornu, Tasmanian Branch Council Convenor at tas@republic.org.au.

👋 You’re invited: A Conversation with the SA Branch

Join the SA Branch on Thursday 9 May for a conversation about the campaign for an Australian republic. Share with us what activities and events you think we should be focused on and how you want to be involved.

There’ll be people to meet, great food and good conversation about the campaign.

What to bring: Your ideas, energy and passion for an Australian republic.

We'll provide: Canapes, a welcome drink and good company.

Tickets are $25 per person or $15 for concession card holders or low waged. Additional donations gratefully received and will go towards building our campaign.

Please follow the link to secure your ticket. Bookings close Tuesday 7 May.

👋 Connect with the Queensland Branch Council

We have had a busy month within our branch and have received a great amount of feedback from many members interested in joining or running their local sub-branch. We are still looking for people to be involved, so if you’re outside of Brisbane and want to be part of this, please let us know by contacting us at qld@republic.org.au.

Our first event will be our Gold Coast Launch with details of this event to be released in the coming weeks. Additionally, we are planning a weekend outreach in Toowoomba in early May to meet our members out there. 

We are also working on ideas on how to keep the Queensland branch more connected outside of events. At our last meeting, we discussed reviving the Queensland newsletter. If this is of interest to you, please let us know.

Regards,

Isaac McSwan
Queensland Convenor

👋 The campaign in Tasmania moves full steam ahead!

Tasmanian Convenor Wendy Le Cornu has made important progress on the campaign, engaging with state politicians and media outlets to bring conversation surrounding Australia's transition to a republic to the spotlight.

Wendy encountered overwhelming support for a republic from the public. Many individuals expressed their belief in the inevitability of Australia becoming a republic, though some noted the recent discussions around the Voice have temporarily diverted attention. Nevertheless, the solid foundation of support within our community remains a source of encouragement.

The Tasmanian Branch Council has organised a Politics in the Pub at The Republic Bar on Thursday 2 May. If you’d like to attend, please RSVP here.

The meetings of the Tasmanian Republic Movement now take place in the Hobart Town Hall, courtesy of the fact that one of their committee members, Mike Dutta, holds a position on the Hobart City Council. The plan is to convene on the last Thursday of every month from 5 to 6 pm, except when hosting a Politics in the Pub event around the same time. With luck, they aim to alternate between meetings and events, and hope to go to different locations for each event.

Despite progress, the Tassie Branch Council remains relatively small and is actively seeking new members. Their primary objectives include expanding the Tasmanian supporter base and bolstering the committee with fresh talent and perspectives. If you’d like to get involved, please contact Tasmanian Convenor Wendy Le Cornu at tas@republic.org.au.

👋 The ACT catch up for a BBQ… And soon a trivia night!

The ACT Branch held a BBQ to welcome new members after the recent National Multicultural Festival campaign. We made good use of what seems to have been one of the last warm weekends in Canberra as we plunge into Autumn! Great conversation was had around constitutional changes and referendums. We welcomed some long time Canberrans who harked from Europe and had an interesting perspective! 

We plan to have a quiz night in May/June, so watch this space for more details. 

Also upcoming is Floriade, where we expect to campaign across a few weekends, so volunteers please be ready to assist!

Regards,

Nathan Hansford
ACT Convenor

women’s network news

Fun but serious topic! The Women’s Network has been considering why the first Australian Head of State should be a woman. So we are pleased that the King, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, has approved Ms Samantha Mostyn AO as his next representative in Australia - our new Governor-General from 1 July 2024.

Some South Australian members of the Women's Network have been compiling a list of possible women that would ‘fit the bill’ for this important role as well as thinking about the values that we want to see in an Australian Head of State. For example, Ms Mostyn's qualities have been identified as unwavering service to the Australian community in a wide range of fields (sport, the arts, environment, community and business), exceptional advocacy skills, dedication, creativity and compassion.

The Women's Network would like to hear from all members about the values they wish to see in an Australian Head of State and who displays them - including, of course, suitable women. Please respond to womensnetwork@republic.org.au or contact your Women’s Network representative on your Branch Council:

WA - Megan Allan.
SA - Raphael Murphy.
NT - Clare Martin.
VIC - Liz Walker.
TAS - Mary Phillips
NSW - Jane Hasler.
ACT - Fiona Perry.
QLD - Amy Winter

Many thanks,

Jane Hasler and Fiona Perry

Co-Convenors

ARM Women’s Network Management Group

Media updates

✅ New Governor-General announced

The Australian Republic Movement has acknowledged the announcement Samantha Mostyn AO will serve as the next Governor-General of Australia.

National Director and CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “A statement this morning from Buckingham Palace announcing the King of Australia has appointed his local representative is yet another reminder that Australia is still a dominion of the former British Empire”.

“The fact an English aristocrat 17,000 kilometres away is still involved in our system of government is frankly absurd. It’s 2024 and our elected Prime Minister still needs to ask our King’s permission to appoint people to high office. Surely it’s time for Australians to make these decisions, not foreign Kings.”

✅ Easter: A Time for Celebration, Reflection and Renewal

The Australian Republic Movement has wished all Australians a happy and safe Easter. National Director and CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “Easter is a time for family, for joy, for friendship and for celebration. It’s also a time for reflection and renewal.”

✅ Well wishes for the Princess of Wales

The Australian Republic Movement has acknowledged the announcement of the Princess of Wales’s cancer diagnosis.

National Director and CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “We all know someone who has been affected by cancer. It is an insidious and frightening disease. 165,000 Australians were diagnosed with cancer in 2023, with over one million Australians estimated to be living with cancer or beyond cancer.”  

“Thankfully modern science and medicine has helped millions with treatment – an incredible number of whom have gone on to overcome cancer.”

✅ Commonwealth Day: Part of a Future Australian Republic

The Australian Republic Movement has acknowledged Commonwealth Day which is observed across the 56 nations of the Commonwealth.