The Australian Republic Movement was deeply saddened to hear of the death of former Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Tim Fischer, AC today.
His life is a story of personal sacrifice and tireless service to his country. From serving in Vietnam, to serving the nation in state and Federal parliaments for 26 years, his humble, intensely warm yet passionate demeanour endeared him to all he met.
Read MoreA new poll conducted by Dynata over 1-3 June 2019 shows that support for an Australian republic has surged to 57% for under 25 year olds and opposition continues to fall away, with fewer than one in seven people under 35 now opposed.
Read MoreThe Australian Republic Movement warmly congratulates Harry and Meghan on the birth of their son, and all Australians who welcomed a child into the world today.
Baby Sussex is the 7th in line for the British throne, behind Prince Harry, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince William and Prince Charles, making him unlikely to ever rule over Australians.
We look forward to when our head of state is chosen by Australians, and on merit, instead of birth right. An Australian republic will mean that each child born today can grow up aspiring to the top job- regardless of their family, social status or wealth.
Read MoreThe Australian Republic Movement has launched a new online campaign to give young Australians a say in our future. An informative new video – “Inferior because you’re Australian” [ https://youtu.be/KbFhRT53CfY] – will be promoted online from today.
Read MoreThe Australian Republic Movement has announced the election of Angela Wilson as its new women's convenor. Ms Wilson will also join the movement’s National Executive, with a key role steering the campaign to a national vote within three years.
Read MoreAustralians should have had more say about who will be the next – and, we hope, last – Governor-General appointed by a British monarch to represent him or her in Australia.
It’s bad enough that Prime Minister Morrison had to ask a British monarch for permission to announce David Hurley as her representative in Australia.
What’s worse is he did not have to ask any of us. Australians should have more say in decisions like this.
Read Moreairfax mastheads today report that the Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has agreed to funding during the next term of Parliament for a national vote on an Australian republic. We welcome Labor’s leadership.
Australia’s next head of state should be a citizen of Australia, chosen by Australians. But without change, no Australian will even be asked, and King Charles will be Australia’s next head of state. So today’s announcement is a huge step forward for Australia.
Read MoreThe Prime Minister should immediately guarantee the next Governor-General will be a citizen of Australia and should also rule out a 'captain's call' on the next Governor-General.
Monarchist boss David Flint – who advised former PM Tony Abbott to revive knighthoods, leading to the ‘Sir Prince Phillip’ fiasco – now says Australia’s next Governor-General should be an English royal, The Duke of Sussex - not an Australian citizen.
Read MoreThere is no place in modern Australia for institutions that divide us on religious grounds. Australian citizens, of any faith and no faith, are all equal here. Republic supporters believe that our constitution and laws should reflect this.
Australian Monarchists clearly disagree, however.
Read More“We can’t have this lingering deathwatch.”
The Queen has had her say. Australians should now have theirs.
Authoritative reports from senior royal reporter and author Robert Hardman reveal that Queen Elizabeth II dismisses the idea Australia should wait until after her death to become a republic with an Australian head of state.
Independent research confirms young Australians know the difference between enjoying a royal visit and voting for an Australian republic.
In every age group, more people agree that Australia should become a republic with an Australian as head of state than disagree.
And opposition to a republic is weakest among young people.
Read MoreAustralians were misled by a spokesman for Prince Charles in April this year - and now we know the truth and the price. A spokesman for the royals said the sojourn down south was a private visit “at no cost to the taxpayer”.
We now know that was not true.
Read MoreAustralia should replace royal birthdays with a public holiday of our own.
In 2019, Australian governments should join together with a new ‘Citizens Day’ holiday in
September to strengthen Australian citizenship. This could build on existing activities for the
anniversary of the Australian Citizenship Act in September 1948.
Read MoreThe Prime Minister should immediately rule out a 'captain's call' on the next Governor-General.
Media reports speculating that former Foreign Minister Bishop might be considered for the role and represent the Queen in Canberra reinforce the worst perception that Australia is in decline from a parliamentary democracy to a spoils system.
Read MoreThe Republic Movement calls on the Prime Minister to give Australians a say in the appointment of the next Governor-General.
Peter FitzSimons AM, National Chair of the Australian Republic Movement, has written to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to propose that the Government conduct a vote of the Parliament, or a vote of the people, before the appointment of the next Governor-General.
Read MoreThe Australian Republic Movement is building an inclusive, member controlled, volunteer-led campaign for Australia to become a republic with an Australian head of state. We call for a national vote by 2020 followed by a referendum by 2022 so Australia can decide our future and so Australians can have a head of state of our own.
Read MoreToday’s Guardian Essential Report shows support for an Australian republic rose in Royal wedding week.
Fewer Australians were undecided, while support for the monarchy was unchanged.
Read MoreOvernight a spokesperson for the UK Prime Minister has confirmed that when the Commonwealth heads of government meet in England later this week they will decide who will be head of the Commonwealth of Nations after the present Queen.
The 53 Commonwealth nations - including 32 Commonwealth republics - are about to make a democratic decision about their next head. That is a good thing, and their democratic decision should be respected. The position for Australians is the opposite.
Read MoreThe Australian Republic Movement welcomes Prince Charles to Australia for the Commonwealth Games.
The Games are a wonderful institution and the Commonwealth of Nations is a force for good in the world. It has long outgrown its origins as a colonial club. Two of its newest members, Rwanda and Mozambique, have no historical connection to Britain at all. Only 16 of the 53 member nations of the Commonwealth still have the British Monarch as their head of state: almost two-thirds are republics, including Gambia who rejoined in February this year.
Read MoreThe Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, has declined an invitation from the Australian Republic Movement to give a speech in Australia during his forthcoming visit to Australia. This is a great shame and says a great deal.
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