Independent Scotland could be a Republic

Christine Grahame, a senior MP in the Scottish National Party, confirms that the party intends to hold a referendum on the monarchy.  She says that  there will be a vote about an independent Scotland having a "full blown monarchy, an edited version or a republic".  She favours a republic.  This statement conflicts with Alex Salmond's claim that the United Kingdom monarch would automatically remain Scotland's head of state following separation from England.  This report got good coverage in the Australian media. We are now behind Scotland, in both approach and timing!  The same paper ran a headline referring to the Queen by her pet name "Lilibet". [Queen could be ousted as Scotland's head of state by Simon Johnson, Telegraph, London, 13 May 2012]

Vale Ningali Cullen

WfaAR sadly records the death of determined republican Ningali Cullen, known to many as Audrey Kinnear.  Ningali, born on traditional lands in South Australia but who later in her life lived and worked in Canberra, was a link between the republic and reconciliation movements (National Sorry Day Committee Indigenous co-chair and Journey of Healing).  She campaigned strongly for both and was a member of ARM's National Council for several years. "Ningali is in the Dreamtime organising the republic" [Derick Cullen, 19 May 2012].

Nobel Laureate's Thought about Australia's Future

A striking sight in the "White Whiteley" exhibition opening at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, today until 22 July.  The centrepiece of the 11 works is Whiteley's large portrait of the writer "Patrick White at Centennial Park 1979-80" that usually hangs in the NSW Parliament building.  Whiteley attached a handwritten list of the Nobel prize winner's likes and dislikes to the portrait.  In slightly faded red ink capitals in the Likes column and the only non-material, non-tangible pleasure listed is "The Thought of an Australian Republic".  Another artist leading the way before the current Republic push gathered momentum in the 1990s.

Woman Wins Republican Short Story Competition

Writer Valda Marshall, born in Adelaide now living in Sydney, wins the third Republican Short Story Competition for "The Child of the Holocaust" on the theme of Citizen or Subject.  Valda describes herself as a longstanding staunch republican, "At the movies in the 50s, when they played God Save the Queen, even then I thought, why are we doing this?".  This is Valda's second foray into writing about the republic.  Her novel "The First President" about a woman running for and becoming the Australian republic's first head of state in 2016 was published two years ago (see our News Item of 18 December 2009).  In contrast, the three winners of the Inaugural Young Republicans National Essay Competition, also run by ARM, were all young men.

Republic will Fly - WfaAR Letter to The Canberra Times

The republic debate in The Canberra Times is still going.  Read our latest letter in reply to a persistent critic.

Download: Letter to The Canberra Times [55KB, pdf]

Women Speak at Head of State Conference

The keynote address at the ARM's Our Say/ Head of State Conference held at Deakin University in Melbourne is given by Senator Lisa Singh, Labor Senator for Tasmania and former ARM Tasmania Convenor and Tasmanian Government Minister 2008-2010.  The other woman to speak was Professor Anne Twomey, constitutional lawyer and author of "The Chameleon Crown".

Senator Singh's speech is published at http://www.lisasingh.com.au/newsroom/speeches/address-to-the-australian-republic-movement-on--wh/

WfaAR Republic Prediction for 2012

In the absence of new republic polls for Australia Day, WfaAR predicts that 2012 could be a pivotal year for the Australian republic.  Things to watch are:

- the reaction to the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall for the Diamond Jubilee

- developments with the referendum to recognise our First Peoples in the Constitution

- Jamaica's progress towards a republic

- the Scottish independence referendum that could be the start of Scotland's exit from the United Kingdom and removing the UK's monarch as head of state.

100% increase in women on ARM National Council

Longstanding Council member, Lyn Petrie (SA), has been joined by Elizabeth Borello, WA Convenor.  Both are automatic members because they are State/Territory convenors.  There are still no elected women representatives on ARM National Council.  Elections are due late this year.

Jamaica to Become a Republic

New Jamaican Prime Minister, Portia Miller Simpson, announces at her inauguration that Jamaica would be well on the way to becoming a republic by the end of the year.  A previous attempt stalled in 2007.  Jamaica's change could influence other small Caribbean nations.  Domenica, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago have already become republics while Barbados has previously announced it intended to.  Jamaica's move is considered to be motivated by anti-slavery sentiment and a desire to distance itself from the colonial power and from final appeals to the Privy Council.  The decision by the new Jamaican Government will have to pass at referendum.