Craig Foster has been appointed the new chair of the Australian Republic Movement.Credit:Flavio Brancaleon
“I’m a huge public supporter of the Voice to parliament,” Foster said. “Both[issues] go to the heart of Australia’s nationhood,of contemporary modern multicultural Australia,and how we bring our national identity to life through our founding document.”
He said he intended to meet with Uluru dialogue co-chairs Megan Davis and Pat Anderson to discuss how the two organisations could work together to ensure the Voice campaign had “enough space” in the lead up to the referendum,which will be held in the next financial year.
“It’s a difficult balance because[the Voice] needs to take precedence,” Foster said.
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“But the Australian Republic movement still needs to engage grassroots activation,we still need to grow our mobilisation at a community level,and we need to have this conversation with Australia over at least a 24-month period heading into the next election period and possible referendum”.
The Albanese government has indicated if it wins a second term it will hold a referendum to determine whether Australia should become a republic,with an Australian head of state to replace the British monarch. But this timeline is contingent upon the success of the Voice to Parliament referendum.
Foster,53,takes the reins of the ARM from outgoing chairman,Peter FitzSimons,61,an author and long-timecolumnist forTheSydney Morning Herald,who also played rugby for Australia.