Could it be that the first President of the Republic of Australia will be a former socceroo, refugee activist, and SBS celebrity, Craig Foster? This is his message on becoming the new Chair of the Australian Republican Movement. According to the SBS football commentator the five principles of the republic should be “gender equality and equality as an Australian value alongside merit, justice, fairness and inclusion.”
No mention of a socialist republic.
How can Australia abolish this settler state based on capitalist exploitation? How do we become an independent republic in Asia and cut our ties with both Britain and the United States?
The new chair is a good football commentator. However it is a big job that he takes on where radical changes are needed in a society to achieve equality. Mainstream political parties are wedded to both nationalism and capitalism. People rejected the last republic because then celebrity and international banker, Malcolm Turnbull, only wanted the monarch replaced by an elitist with an Australian passport elected by the executive. No popular vote. Of course people rejected that. At least Craig Foster talks about equality. The current weakness of the monarchy and failure of the British economy are not the only prerequisites for an Australian republic, there is a lot of grassroots change needed. – Ed., Ian Curr, 30 Nov 2022.
SPEAKER
Craig Foster (ARM President)
Hi, everyone, its Craig. I’m just here at home, as you can see on Wednesday morning, and I thought I’d just shoot a video through to all of our members and supporters to say thank you very much for your confidence not only in myself as a national committee member, elected by you, but also of course, elected as chair in our first National Committee Meeting of the New Committee last night. I’m delighted to say that, you know, outstanding executive leadership team was elected last night. But what became clear over our first fairly lengthy meeting was the caliber across the board of everyone on the National Committee, it’s so exciting to be able to work with them all. And to see the experience capability and knowledge, not to mention the passion of everyone around the table, who is now leading the National Committee and the movement forward. I just wanted to get in touch to particularly thank you on behalf of all of the new National Committee for your confidence in electing us to that position, and assure you of two things. Firstly, that we’re very aware of the the nature of the roles, the importance of the roles and the importance to all Australians, and to our shared future of this movement. And, of course, also of the deep responsibility that we carry, particularly me as the chair, or having replaced the outstanding Peter Fitzsimons and those that came before.
There is much to discuss in coming months, I’ve said to Sandy buyer that we need to have a more regular chat between all of us. And I’m hoping to put in place a system whereby I can speak directly with either all the states or, or a large share of the members, or the conveners, whether youth or women’s network or otherwise, at intermediate periodic times, so that we can keep everyone updated. And so I can also hear from the grassroots from the ground from you as to what exactly is going on.
And finally, I just want to let you know that I did mention my thoughts last night to the National Committee, ahead of the next committee meeting early next year, that I do believe the organization is ready and should commit to having a female and male co chairs. reason behind that is because we have the model, the principles on which the movement is based, and the vision of an Australia that we want to see. And therefore I think it would be a wonderful message to every Australian to say that those in the highest leadership positions of the ARM movement are sharing the chair position between both a female and a male, I’d be absolutely thrilled to share that position and share that responsibility with any of the extraordinary women who are currently on the National Committee. But that’s a matter for the next meeting. That’s another matter for the National Committee. I understand, of course, that that would require changes to the Constitution.
But I just wanted to flag that with you all, gender equality and equality as an Australian value alongside merit, justice, fairness and inclusion,
I would say are the five key principles that underpin you know, a new Australian vision, a new Australian nationhood and identity. And it’s vitally important that all of us model that not just at the national level, but right down through the states and below. So please give that some consideration. I’ll be in touch later this year, and no doubt in the new year. And hopefully we can continue to advance the movement to have really important conversations with Australians. And of course, we know that majority support already exists for Republic. It’s just about over the course of the next two years, bringing that to life to the benefit of us all.
Craig Foster (ARM President)
Thank you