An Interview with the National Director of the Australian Republic Movement- Sandy Biar.
The Australian Republic Movement was established in 1991, with the likes of former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull being a major player in creating the movement, leading up to the 1999 referendum.
​
Sandy, now is the National Director of the ARM. He has had previous roles in advising parliamentarians, worked as a consultant in federal election campaigns. Now his role specialises in voter targeting and supporter engagement.
​
He sat down with contributor Jada earlier in the week...
​
How did you come to be involved in the Australian Republic Movement?
I Signed up in 2007 , through working on other campaigns and getting involved through university.
10 years later I saw a job going at the Australian Republic Movement. Then a few
years ago I took on the role I'm in now.
I was too young to vote at '99 referendum, only in year 8 at the time but I remember arguing passionately in favour of a republic. I had an “Instinctive sense”, that having our country’s head of state as an inherited role was completely wrong.
I've always believed someone should be chosen based off of their merit not from a family they may have been born into.
At time 1999 referendum support for republic but not for the preamble. Australians have been saying they want to elect a head of state.
Our Head of State should be someone who is Independent of PM that will uphold the constitution and ensure the democractic principles of our nation.
What would a republic look like in Australia?
We've spent time consulting with over 10’000 Australians. Just released in January the “Australian Choice Model” - Parliaments in all states and territories would put forward a list of nominees. So Australians could
choose directly. The report came up with fully detailed reforms about how it could work and what that would look like. It is an adaptable and workable alternative.
Who could be a Head of State?
It would be up to each state or territory parliament and the federal parliament to create their own nominee process. Where anyone worthy can be nominated and in the hands of parliaments so it would be bi-partisan and not just up to the government of the day.
Hopefully this would result in nominees being some of Australia’s most trusted and respected citizens across the country.
Now that the Queen has passed do you think there is more of a chance that Australia will vote to become a republic?
We’re seeing some huge shifts among the younger generations. Majority of young Australians under 35 support becoming a republic. This has come from the polling that was done during the mourning period as well.
However there is low levels of awareness for people who haven’t made up their minds. Education is really important.
Some polls during the mourning period showed there was a lift in support in the monarchy, but we aren’t phased by it.
A lot of Australians aren’t familiar with the Governor General, or powers that King Charles has or the role that they play in our constitution. Many Australians aren’t even aware we even have a written constitution and the benefits of having an Australian head of state to improve our country.
The current labor government is wanting to have a referendum in the next year to enshrine a First Nations voice to parliament - therefore is there any need to become a republic ?
I dont think it hinders the debate on a republic, but enforces one. Having a referendum in the next year means that Australians will become more familiar with how it works.
However we know its going to be some time before a republic referendum but we will lay that foundation for the next term of parliament - which is what the current government has said.
Should Australia have a treaty with their First Nations people first before we vote to become a referendum?
Even more so at the front of peoples minds, in many respects a lot of this conversation is about sovereignty. We as the Australian people should be sovereign.
We certainly hear a lot that sovereignty is important to First Nations people and that sovereignty never been ceded. Includes all Australians.
Australian should be a sovereign nation for all. Becoming a republic would do this.
​
Source:
Sandy Biar.
Email: sandy.biar@republic.org.au