NEW WOMEN'S GROUP TO PROMOTE REPUBLIC DEBATE
A group of prominent Australian women today pledged their support for the formation of a national organisation having as its major role the engagement of women of all backgrounds in the ongoing debate about an Australian republic.
The Republican Women's Network is being launched to coincide with International Women's Day. Among those pledging support were Sex Discrimination Commissioner Susan Halliday, who believes women were misinformed about the issues during the last republic debate, and Chancellor of the University of Canberra, Wendy McCarthy. Ms McCarthy, also a prominent businesswoman, has had a long and active commitment to republicanism, and in particular its relationship to reconciliation and social justice issues.
Canberra women supporting the new organisation were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UC, Professor Meredith Edwards, prominent quilt maker Margaret Rolfe, honoured in the recent Australia Day awards, and Imelda Fleming, the first recipient of honorary life membership of the ACT branch of the Australian Republican Movement.
Presiding over today's announcement were the joint deputy convenors of the national ARM, Susan Ryan and Anne Witheford.
"In the 1999 referendum on the republic, the Yes case attracted far less support from women than men," Ms Ryan said.
"If we are to succeed when next a referendum is held, it is essential we close this 'gender gap' and attract the support of the majority of Australian women.
"The Republican Women's Network is the first step in that direction," she said. "As a major contribution to civics education, we want to engage women of all backgrounds in the republican debate and create a greater understanding of all the associated issues." Ms Witheford, who is also Convenor of the ACT branch of the ARM, said she and Ms Ryan had written to 'scores' of women's organisations that together represent a complete cross-section of Australian women.
"They range from organisations such Australian Church Women through to the Australian Council of Businesswomen, the National Women's Media Centre and the Australian Nursing Federation," she said.
"Also contacted have been Australian Women in Agriculture and the Country Women's Association, the Women's Electoral Lobby and Womensport Australia. "In essence, the organisations we have contacted represent a complete cross-section of Australian women." Ms Ryan said it is clear that Australians of all backgrounds need to discuss the type of republic Australia should have.
"The Australian Republican Movement now includes supporters of a variety ofmodels for a republic," she said. "Maximum participation by women in the debate would go a long way to ensuring that the model eventually chosen is the right one for all Australians."
Ms Witheford said the formation of the Republican Women's Network was part of the regeneration process being undertaken by the ARM across Australia to ensure that one day the nation has its own head of state.
"We are building on the strong republican sentiment in the community to develop a people's movement and encourage robust debate and inclusiveness," she said. "As part of that, we are inviting all female members of the ARM to join the Republican Women's Network as an additional membership activity."
Ms Witheford said she envisaged women holding network forums in suburbs and country towns throughout Australia, ideally with the support of local women's organisations. "Such events would provide an unrestricted opportunity for women to discuss and explore all aspects of the republican cause. "There's no limit to what we could create: Nuns for the Republic, Grandmothers for the Republic.the list could go on and on."
SUPPORTING STATEMENTS
Susan Halliday, Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner:
"It has become evident to me that there were women who were misinformed about the issues during the last republic debate. I believe that women need to be well informed and educated about the issues, and to have a forum which will allow them to access relevant information so they can better understand what a republic will mean to them.
"I warmly welcome this initiative. I believe that knowledge is power, and that women should be in an equally powerful position to make decisions about the future of our nation."
Professor Meredith Edwards AM, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Canberra
"I see support for the Republican Women's Network as a practical way of promoting much needed civics education about republican issues. This will help identify the problems that need to be addressed if we are to help people better understand the benefits for Australia in being a republic.
"I also see the 21st century as one in which Australia must work more collaboratively with Asia if it is to survive economically. We need to make a symbolic break with our European past in order to ensure our future in Asia. It is also important, particularly in these increasingly globalised times that as a nation we have an identity that is distinctly ours."
Margaret Rolfe AM, internationally renowned quilter and member of ACT ARM
"I am a supporter of the republican movement because I want my children to live in a country that is proud to have its own head of state. We need a head of state who will unambiguously represent Australia at home and abroad, a head of state who will symbolically promote Australian ideals and values.
I think it is important to preserve our stable, democratic Westminster traditions and therefore we need to have a head of state who is genuinely neutral and above party politics - as the Queen is for Great Britain. In 1901, when the Constitution was written, Australia was not an independent country. In 2001, Australia is an independent country in all but one area -we do not have our own our head of state. It is time we made this last and important change."
Imelda Fleming, life member of ARM and member of ACT ARM
"If only people understood how non-threatening a republic is! As Attorney-General Daryl Williams has stated, it would not give the Commonwealth any new powers, or alter the flag or the national anthem. It would not mark a break with our tradition of stable parliamentary democracy or create an office of President that is more grand or expensive than that of Governor-General. Conversely, I believe our own head of state would promote unity where practitioners of politics are partisan and, at times, quite sharply divided - or at least help to preserve and keep in repair the consensus in our society."
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Last modified: November 04, 2003