The Australian Republic Movement (ARM) have spoken out in the wake of Victoria’s decision to pull out of hosting the Commonwealth Games, specifying that the fight for independence does not mean withdrawing altogether from the Commonwealth.
The two co-chairs of the Movement, Nova Peris and Craig Foster, published a statement on the topic giving their sympathies to
“Naturally we are saddened for fellow sportspeople excited about competing in the Games and those sports preparing and budgeting for this eventuality while recognising that in a rising cost of living crisis, there are many who need support,” the joint statement says.
“As proud Australians fighting for our independence, however, it is particularly interesting that such a decision can be made, which was once unthinkable.
The Victorian government elected to pull out after they found the estimated cost blew out from $2.6 billion to at least $6 billon.
They have committed to still developing sporting facilities and infrastructure as promised to the regional communities.
The ARM statement went on to describe how this decision that would have once been deemed “unthinkable” is indicative of the nation’s evolving connection with the U.K.
“Australia’s demography, identity and place in the world has fundamentally changed since the Commonwealth Games was invented as the British Empire Games in 1930 and while many are aggrieved at the loss of an opportunity to play and watch sport, few are concerned at the impact on the relationship with our existing Head of State,” the statement says.
More Australians every day are wanting to take the next step to full independence and the inheritance of our own country…we often get asked whether the fast-rising support for Australian Constitutional independence means withdrawal from the Commonwealth and, of course, it does not.”
The statement emphatically stated that “withdrawal from hosting is not a withdrawal from the Commonwealth, or even participation in this, or future events”, deeming it a separate matter for the Australian people to decide on.
“Most important, is placing Australia entirely in the hands of Australians and with our own representative to the world.”
