After two years of discussions, polling and surveying, the Australian Republican Movement issued its new position on the vote for an Australian Head of State called the “Australian Choice” model exactly a fortnight before Australia Day on 26 January. ARM opts for direct election from a field of 11 candidates, three chosen by the federal Parliament and one chosen by each State and Territory parliament making a total of eight. By choosing election for the Head of State, ARM is now in sync with most other campaigning groups. The plan can be found on the ARM’s website, linked below. It was updated on 3 April to reveal the full suite of constitutional amendments drafted by its advisory group of constitutional lawyers, three of whom were women (a notable absentee being Professor Anne Twomey – see News of 27 May 2022). For WfaAR’s detailed analysis of the new ARM proposal – see News of 5 June 2022.
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
