‘Charles is not one of us’: Australian Republic Movement revamps campaign with renewed vigour following Queen’s death

Less than a week following Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral, the Australian Republic Movement (ARM) restarted its campaign to ditch the monarchy with a renewed energy following the rise of the new Monarch, King Charles III.

In a series of social media posts, the ARM said King Charles is not Australia’s chosen ruler, calling for people who agree to take a stand.

We now have a King of Australia. Charles is not one of us and we did not choose him to be our Head of State. We hear you and agree the concept of an Australian King is both unsettling and foreign. Now is the time for us to think about our nation’s future. #AusPol #AusRepublic pic.twitter.com/sV62SFozIo

— Australian Republic Movement (@AusRepublic) September 22, 2022

???? Agree? #AusPol #AusRepublic pic.twitter.com/zmC4eNTpD8

— Australian Republic Movement (@AusRepublic) September 25, 2022

Chair of the ARM Peter FitzSimons said following the Queen’s death, monarchists lack justification to remain under the Crown.

“Just as King Charles III has not delayed for a moment in resuming his duties, we submit that Australia should not delay the discussion about its future under the monarchy any longer either. It’s time,” FitzSimons said.

“For decades, monarchists and others have claimed that it would be rude to make a move to a republic while the Queen was on the throne.

“There is no longer any excuse to delay this important step forward for Australia.

“Rule by birthright, a literally born-to-rule English sovereign, has no place in a democratic, egalitarian Australia.

“The notion is as foreign to Australian values as the monarchy itself. Nor should anyone be forced to pledge allegiance to a foreign King or Head of State – our Head of State should pledge to serve us, and only us, instead. Only an Australian should have the honour of becoming our Head of State.

“We call for an era that does away with inherited power and privilege in the highest echelon of government and allows any Australian to aspire to be our nation’s Head State so that the full diversity of our nation can be heard and represented at the highest levels.

“We don’t need or want a King to reign over us. We deserve an Australian champion – a first among equals.”

The ARM’s calls for a republic were met with healthy debate from Australians, both republicans and monarchists alike.

I’m with you. What are we actually trying to fix that is so broken?

— Iian Woods (@iianwoods) September 25, 2022

Yes, but you need to promote the advantages of being a Republic more so than pointing out the disadvantages of being a constitutional monarchy.

— Mark Dixon (@markwdixon) September 25, 2022

I prefer the ideal of a monarchy over the reality of a democracy. The issue with a Republic, is it devolves into dynasties driven by power and greed, not the betterment of the public.

— State-affiliated Affiliate (@coreyfsthomas) September 25, 2022

Who’s your preferred replacement? Pushing for a republic is all well and good but would love to know your thinking on replacement, who selects, from what cohort, the role, the tenure etc…. many issues, not just the emotional one of yes or no.

— Hadn Nuff (@HadnNuff) September 25, 2022

In a recent poll conducted by Roy Morgan, 60 per cent of Australians are in support of remaining under the Monarchy.