Australian of the Year Simon McKeon is expected to call for action tonight on a republic at a dinner in Sydney to mark the 20th anniversary of the founding of the ARM.
The event will be attended by a host of prominent Australians including Thomas Keneally, Greg Barns, Senator Patricia Crossin, Mark Day, Kep Enderby, Max Gillies, David Hill, John Hirst, Jenny Kee, Ted Mack, Senator Christine Milne, Senator Marise Payne, Susan Ryan and Chris Schacht. The MC will be Julian Morrow from ABC’s popular comedy programme, the Chaser.
Mr McKeon will also warn that a Republic is far from being a certainty, and without strong support by the Australian people, especially politicians, it may never happen.
“An Australian republic is an issue that should be important for all Australians,” Mr McKeon is expected to say.
“It’s important for us to realise that a republic will not happen without hard work and commitment — it will require positive effort from our elected representatives in Parliament, community leaders and interested Australians.”
Mr McKeon will also say that an Australian Republic is about Australians, therefore all Australians should be adequately informed about what a Republic would mean to the nation.
“An Australian republic is about us."
“We do need a good process leading to the required referendum that allows all the issues to be discussed.”
“It’s important, for example, for people to understand that as a republic we would still be a fully committed member of the Commonwealth.”
The event will be held the Imax Theatre complex at Darling Harbour in Sydney.