The Australian Republic Movement (ARM) has declared “it’s time” to resume its campaign following the “conclusion” of the morning period for Queen Elizabeth II.
The organisation, which broke its silence just 24 minutes after the death of Queen Elizabeth II was announced, has continued to back the right of Australians to become a fully independent nation.
In a statement, the ARM said Australia “should not delay the discussion about its future under the monarchy any longer” as King Charles III has not “delayed for a moment in resuming his duties”.
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“Australians did not choose King Charles, and polls show Australians do not approve of him as King – even in the afterglow of Queen Elizabeth’s reign. His support is unlikely to get any better than it is now,” the ARM wrote.
“For decades, monarchists and others have claimed that it would be rude to make a move to a republic while the Queen was on the throne. There is no longer any excuse to delay this important step forward for Australia.”
ARM Chair Peter FitzSimons is calling for supporters to join the movement as they work to ramp up the campaign by organising events around the country.
“Rule by birthright, a literally born-to-rule English sovereign, has no place in a democratic, egalitarian Australia” he said.
“The notion is as foreign to Australian values as the monarchy itself. Nor should anyone be forced to pledge allegiance to a foreign King or Head of State – our Head of State should pledge to serve us, and only us, instead. Only an Australian should have the honour of becoming our Head of State.
“What we need now is for people to join us and get involved.”
The ARM released a statement less than 30 minutes after Buckingham Palace confirmed Britain’s longest serving monarch Queen Elizabeth had died.
In the statement sent out just before 4:30am AEST on Friday, the ARM paid respect to the “significant contribution” made by the Queen.
“The Australian Republic Movement recognises and pays due respect to the significant contribution made by Queen Elizabeth II over more than seven decades as Head of State to Australia and 14 other nations, and expresses its condolences to the Royal Family,” it said.
“Many Australians have known no other Head of State – the length of her reign was unrivalled.
“As monarch, Queen Elizabeth was a patron of more than 600 organisations and served them admirably. She rose to become a respected representative of Britain and the Commonwealth.”
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