Supporters of an Australian republic from across the political spectrum in the Tasmanian Parliament are coming together today to launch the Parliamentary Friendship Group for an Australian Republic.
Co-Sponsored by Labor MP for Clark, Ella Haddad, Liberal Minister Nic Street, and Greens MP for Franklin, Dr Rosalie Woodruff, the Group will advocate for an Australian republic both in and outside the Parliament over the parliamentary term.
They will be joined at the launch by Chair of the Australian Republic Movement, Craig Foster, and Tasmanian Convenor Wendy Le Cornu, who said that the Movement had seen a tremendous increase in support over the past year.
"We want an Australian Head of State, elected on merit, representative of our multicultural society and loyal only to us. We've outgrown the monarchy and more and more Tasmanians are saying it's time to take this important step forward," Mrs Le Cornu said.
Sponsor Ella Haddad added, "So much has changed in our national landscape since the first attempt at a republic referendum in 1999. It is now well and truly time for Australia to stand on its own feet as an independent nation, paying respect to our First Nations peoples, and with an Australian as our Head of State."
Co-Sponsor of the Group, Nic Street said, "As a country, Australia is ready for a Head of State who is Australian and I look forward to working with Parliamentary colleagues across the chamber to advance this cause."
Dr Rosalie Woodruff said: "The Greens are strong supporters of Australia becoming a republic.
We are our own country, with our own identity. We need to be undoing all ties to a foreign monarch. We're proud to be part of the tri-partisan push for a republic and I'm honoured to be the Greens representative in the inaugural Tasmanian Parliamentary Group for an Australian Republic."
Recent polls including Fairfax Ipsos (54%) and Australian Community Media (52%) show a majority of Australians support Australia becoming a republic.
