Julie Bishop is 2008 National Republican Lecturer

Julie Bishop MP (Member for Curtin WA), Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, gives the ARM’s National Republican Lecture in Canberra. During question time, she entertained the possibility of a non-binding vote on the republic at the 2010 federal election and foreshadowed that during inevitable reviews of all Liberal Party policies after the loss of last years election, the party’s policy stance on the republic may be addressed. She said several times that republicans were still divided which suggests better communication with the Liberals is necessary to acquaint them with the cooperative work that is now going on between the various groups through the Republican Gatherings (see 17-18 May 2008 News item). The lecture was netcast live for the first time and can be viewed on ARM’s website at www.republic.org.au