Perhaps something is afoot after all? News is at hand about two new republic groups both focussed on the Head of State. First up is Home Rule Australia proposing a plan for voters to elect the Governor-General as the first step in moving towards a fully fledged Republic. It is not offering a model. This plan offers a new way into the Republic by tackling a major sticking point and getting the public used to voting for the Head of State in a voluntary vote. The term would be five years with the option to be re-elected once. Contact John Pryce at HRA at john@homerule-aus.com. John is a long-time member of ARM in both the UK and Australia.
Hot on HRA’s heels comes the debut of The Australian Head of State Movement (AHOS) which aims to install the Governor-General as Head of State. It describes itself as “a non-party political body established solely to advance Australia’s transition to democracy”. The AHOS agenda includes a process for voters to decide on a model for an Australian head of state. They propose a referendum on Saturday 1 March 2031 before the Republic comes into effect two days later. That’s less than five years away from now! AHOS’s creator, Ian Daniels, is also a member of ARM and stood – unsuccessfully – for the 2026 National Council. AHOS can be found at www.ahos.au
