New Leadership To Transform The Campaign For An Australian Republic

The campaign for an Australian republic has been supercharged with the election of nine new directors, bringing experience from corporate, media, union, policy, sporting and advocacy sectors to the board (National Committee).

It comes as the campaign witnesses a resurgence of support with thousands of new volunteers and members joining the campaign in recent weeks.

Social justice advocate, author, Adjunct Professor and former Socceroo Captain Craig Foster was elected alongside Olympic and Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist Nova Peris - who was also the first Aboriginal woman elected to the Federal Parliament in 2013. Adding further media clout is veteran media presenter and University of Sydney mathematics ambassador Adam Spencer.

They join experienced non-executive director and author Marina Go, a trailblazer for women on corporate boards across the energy, retail and infrastructure sectors and Chair of Adore Beauty, and former Chair of Multicultural NSW Vic Alhadeff, who brings extensive leadership experience in media and multicultural affairs (including as the former CEO of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies).

Climate 200 Executive Director Byron Fay will bring proven political and campaign nous, as will next generation leaders Tiffany O’Keefe (Policy Advisor and Executive Director of the Australian Conservation Alliance), SDA industrial officer Anthony Lay and newly elected National Youth Convenor Michael Cooney.

Incumbent ARM Senior Deputy Chair Meredith Doig (President of the Rationalist Society) and activist and campaigner Tarang Chawla were also re-elected.

Together with existing State and Territory Branch Convenors on the National Committee the elected directors will elect a new Chair and Executive when they take office on 15 November 2022.

ARM CEO Sandy Biar said the election result has brought fresh new energy, experience and diversity that will transform the ARM and the campaign for an Australian republic.

“The campaign for an Australian republic has a once-in-a-generation opportunity over the coming years to lay the foundation for this historic step forward as a nation.”

“With these outstanding directors leading the campaign, we’ll have every chance of securing and winning a referendum so that Australia can finally have an Australian Head of State that is chosen by Australians and represents us” said Mr Biar.