ARM welcomes appointment of new Assistant Minister for the Republic

In an historic first and a major show of support for an Australian republic, our nation now has an Assistant Minister for the Republic, Matt Thistlethwaite.

Australia's Head of State should live here, be a proud Australian and be able to unify our nation in times of celebration or crisis - something the King or Queen of the United Kingdom could never do or be - and this appointment will help make this a reality.

"This is best news for the Australian Republic Movement in nigh on a quarter-century." said Peter FitzSimons AM, Chair of the Australian Republic Movement (ARM).

"In the insightful words of that well-known monarchist Lyle Shelton a few weeks ago, for the first time Australia has "a Minister of the Crown devoted to removing the Crown"." Mr FitzSimons said.

The ARM released its model for an Australian republic in January of this year. The Australian Choice Model proposed by the ARM would ensure that our Head of State is someone who is voted in by a majority of Australians, following a robust nomination process that allows each State and Territory Parliament to nominate a candidate, and the Federal Parliament to nominate up to three. ARM research shows almost three-quarters of Australians would be prepared to back that change at a referendum (73%).

We have the wind in our sails. The timing is perfect. We are on our way." Mr FitzSimons said.

We congratulate the Government on making this important step towards the realisation of an Australian republic and look forward to working with them over the next parliamentary term.