Federal Labor Leader Bill Shorten to Address Historic Gathering of Australian Republicans in Melbourne

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will bring the campaign for an Australian republic to a new peak, as the Australian Republic Movement’s guest of honour and keynote speaker at its Gala Dinner on 29 July.

Last year’s ARM Gala Dinner keynote speaker Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull proudly declared, “I am an Australian and proud to say so. Our head of state should be someone who can say the same.”

The Pathway to a Republic dinner in 2017 will bring together supporters of a republic from across the country at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne – the location of the first gathering of the Federal Parliament. The location will now become known for another pivotal moment in Australia’s history – the biggest gathering of Australian republicans.

The Leader of the Opposition, when speaking of his long-term support for an Australian republic said that he appreciated the historic opportunity to address the Movement and its supporters.

"I’ve always been a passionate republican and I’m looking forward to continuing to press the case for an Australian republic.  We can get this done" Mr Shorten said.

Chair of the ARM Peter FitzSimons said the event demonstrated the broad bipartisan support within the community.

“We warmly thank Bill Shorten for his ongoing support for an Australian republic and can’t wait to welcome him to our dinner in July. We have got huge momentum and this really adds to it.”

“I daresay The Royal Exhibition Building won't have seen such an inspiring display of Australian nationhood in its arches since it hosted the first meeting of the Australian Parliament. 

“Mr Shorten made a big impact on Australian republicans with his speech on Australia Day 2015. We are looking forward with great anticipation to this very special occasion” Mr FitzSimons said.