Australians for Constitutional Monarchy Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Australians for Constitutional Monarchy

National Convener	David Flint AM (Since 1998)
Executive Director	Jai Martinkovits
Young National Convener	Daniel Lahood (Since 2023)
Founded	June 1992; 33 years ago (June 1992)
Headquarters	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Ideology	Monarchism in Australia
Website
www.norepublic.com.au

Australians for Constitutional Monarchy (often called ACM) is a group in Australia. It works to keep Australia's current system of government. This system is a constitutional monarchy, where Charles III is the King of Australia. The ACM says it is a group that doesn't pick sides in politics. It aims "To preserve, to protect and to defend our heritage: the Australian constitutional system, the role of the Crown in it and our Flag".

How the ACM Started and What It Did
- The 1999 Republic Vote
- Protest at Government House
What the ACM Does Today
ACM's Main Arguments
Who is in the ACM?
See Also

How the ACM Started and What It Did

The Australians for Constitutional Monarchy held their first public meeting in Sydney on June 4, 1992. About 450 people attended this important event. Many well-known Australians were part of the group's first council. These included a former Chief Justice, a university Chancellor, and a former Lord Mayor.

The 1999 Republic Vote

The ACM played a big part in the "No Republic" campaign. This was before Australia's 1999 vote on becoming a republic. The group worked hard against other organisations that wanted Australia to become a republic.

The Prime Minister chose Kerry Jones, from ACM, to lead the official "Vote No" Committee. Meanwhile, Malcolm Turnbull led the "Vote Yes" Committee. The ACM had strong support, with over 50,000 people helping their campaign across Australia. In the end, 72% of the areas where ACM had coordinators voted "No." Nationally, 45% voted "Yes" to a republic.

Protest at Government House

In 1996, the ACM organised a large protest in Sydney. This was because the New South Wales Governor was asked to leave Government House, Sydney. Over 20,000 people marched, blocking a main street. This was the biggest protest about the monarchy or a republic in Australia.

The ACM kept campaigning on this issue. In 2011, the Premier of New South Wales agreed to let the Governor return to Government House. This was a win for the ACM's efforts.

What the ACM Does Today

Today, the Australians for Constitutional Monarchy calls itself a "grassroots community organisation." This means it's a group made up of everyday people. It continues to support keeping the constitutional monarchy in Australia.

One of the main things ACM does is share news and information. They publish details about Australia's constitution, its government, and the Crown. You can find this information on their official website: http://www.norepublic.com.au. They also publish books and materials about Australia's Crown. These include books like Cane Toad Republic by Professor David Flint.

The ACM also holds events around Australia every year. Their biggest event is an annual national conference. This conference usually lasts a few days. Many important people from Australia are invited to speak. Past speakers include former Prime Minister John Howard. The ACM says it's the only group, monarchist or republican, to hold a national conference every year since the 1999 vote.

In 2006, Tony Abbott, who was a government minister at the time, launched an ACM book. The book was called Her Majesty at 80: Impeccable Service in an Indispensable Office.

ACM's Main Arguments

The ACM argues against plans by some republicans to have many votes to become a republic. They also point out that republicans often don't have a clear plan for what a republic would look like. The ACM believes that the Constitution requires all details of a change to be known before a vote. They say that people should not vote for a "blank cheque" without knowing the full plan.

The ACM also fights against what they call "a republic by stealth." This means small, quiet changes that remove the Crown from Australian life. Examples include taking out references to the Crown from oaths and laws. Another example was replacing "King's Counsel" with "Senior Counsel" in some states. They also fought against the removal of the Governor of New South Wales from Government House. They won this campaign in 2011.

In 2006, the ACM also spoke out about the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. The organisers had planned not to play the Australian Royal Anthem at the opening ceremony, even though the Queen would be there. The ACM saw this as a disrespect to the monarch. Young ACM supporters handed out song sheets with the words to the anthems. In the end, the Royal Anthem was sung.

Who is in the ACM?

Tony Abbott, who was Prime Minister of Australia from 2013 to 2015, is a well-known supporter of the monarchy.

The ACM has members who support its goals. It also has members who help manage the organisation's finances.

Many important people were part of the ACM's first council. These included Justice Michael Kirby and Tony Abbott. Tony Abbott was the first National Executive Director from 1992 to 1994. During his time, a group for young people under 30 was started. It was called Young Australians for Constitutional Monarchy.

After Tony Abbott was elected to Parliament, Kerry Jones took over as Executive Director. Later, Professor David Flint became the National Convener, a role he still holds today.

Australians for Constitutional Monarchy facts for kids

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