On Monday 12 June, Australians in the ACT, NSW, Tasmania, SA and the Northern Territory will take a day off to mark the birthday of the King of Australia, despite his birthday being in November and that the King isn’t an Australian, doesn’t live in Australia and wasn’t chosen by Australians.
With support for an Australian Republic quickly rising and polling published by the ARM in April demonstrating that an overwhelming two thirds of Australians believe Charles and the monarchy are out of step with their values, it is clear an alternative is required.
Co-Chairs of the Australian Republic Movement Nova Peris OLY OAM and Craig Foster AM said that the public holiday could be better spent recognising Australian historical figures and the extraordinary contributions of the more than 300 communities that make up the rich cultural diversity of Australia.
“We Australians love our public holidays, but for a nation committed to reconciliation, equality and inclusion, we would like to see June 12 in future used to celebrate the day we fully inherited our own country as a Republic or perhaps the countless eminent Australians of all colours and ethnicities who helped shape the extraordinary country that we are today” said Ms Peris.
“Modern Australia is uncomfortable with an ongoing relationship with an undemocratic institution built on hereditary entitlement and this would be an ideal occasion to celebrate our democratic ideals or the contributions of our volunteers and civil service ideals which underpin Australia’s commitment to each other.”
Co-Chair Craig Foster said that he would particularly like to see greater recognition of First Nations or Australia’s multicultural communities.
“Our public holidays should reflect our contemporary understanding, and First Nations have been calling for commemorative days to acknowledge dispossession by the Crown for a very long time, for example. We could acknowledge the moment when ‘terra nullius’ was overturned in the Mabo Case in the High Court in 1992, one of the most significant moments in our 65,000 year history or the path to the cultural enrichment that we are so deeply proud of today and which stands as a model for the world. It is beyond time that we provided a platform for all our communities to showcase their incredible contributions to this diverse nation. These types of celebrations or commemorations would have real meaning to us all, would promote our shared values of democracy, equality, multiculturalism, merit over privilege and non-discrimination that we so passionately believe in and let all Australians know they are valued” said Mr Foster.
“The British monarchy has played an important role in Australian history, one that we are only now starting to engage in a truthful conversation about the fullness of its impacts but in 2023, marking the birthday of the King only highlights the fundamental disconnect between past practice, our contemporary nature and future aspirations. It is time to change the day to something meaningful to us all, just as it is time for our full independence” said Mr Foster.
