Talking Independence

Join us as we chat to Dr Bronwyn Kelly, founder of Australian Community Futures Planning, author and experienced strategic planner. Dr Kelly was an Honorary Professional Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney in the Institute for Public Policy and Governance from 2014 to 2021.

Join us as we speak to Professor Jenny Hocking: the woman who led and won the battle for the National Archives of Australia to release the “Palace letters” about the dismissal of Gough Whitlam in 1975. The letters not only revealed far more royal involvement in Australian politics than Professor Hocking had imagined, with her book The Palace Letters is described as a detective story and courtroom...

Tune in to hear Craig Foster, Co-Chair of the ARM, as we talk through the Voice to Parliament referendum, catching up with multicultural community leaders and what we can do individually to further the republican cause.

Today we speak to Adam Spencer: a comedian, writer and presenter. We all know him from Triple J, Good News Week and The Drum – but he's also a General Executive Member of the Australian Republic Movement’s National Committee.

Join us as we say goodbye to Australian Republic Movement National Director & CEO, Sandy Biar, who over the last seven years has seen tremendous change in the Australian republic landscape nationally. We spoke to him before he wrapped up his work for the ARM - let's delve into what he's seen and where we're headed!

Today we speak to the fabulous Ruth McGowan, a fierce advocator for women in politics. Ruth gives us her perspective on how women can shape successful movements for a better Australia.

Andrew Fraser is a former journalist who was Queensland bureau chief of a national newspaper and a member of the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery during the Hawke-Keating era. He was a political adviser and speechwriter to several Queensland governments. Today he’s the ARM QLD Branch Convenor, and says: "To get specifically onto the subject of the republic, in 1999, Queensland had the worst res...

Born and bred in the inner-Melbourne suburb of St Kilda, Paulie Stewart is an original member of infamous Melbourne punk band Painters and Dockers. Inducted into The Age Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010, the group released seven albums and performed more than 1800 live shows throughout Australia, New Zealand and North and South America. They are still performing and have played with Iggy Pop, Th...

Michael Sheldrick is a policy entrepreneur and Co-Founder and Chief Policy, Impact and Government Affairs Officer for Global Citizen. He leads Global Citizen’s campaigns to rally support from governments, businesses and foundations to get the world on track to end extreme poverty. Michael has worked on campaigns globally with artists such as Beyoncé, Coldplay, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, as well as an...

Vic Alhadeff has dedicated his career to championing human rights causes. Listen in on this inspirational episode as we hear about Vic's experiences in apartheid South Africa, his personal despairing history with the Holocaust and how that has led to a life of advocacy. Vic is often asked to visit high schools and give talks on racism and anti-Semitism. He has received the NSW Premier’s Award for...

Dr Meredith Doig has been a professional company director with appointments to commercial, government and not-for-profit boards for 25 years. Apart from her professional career, Dr Doig has been a long-time community activist, lobbying on issues ranging from social equity to corporate governance. She is also the current Senior Deputy Chair of the Australian Republic Movement.

A great end of year message from Sandy Biar, National Director & CEO of the Australian Republic Movement. Sandy outlines the highlights of 2022 and the mammoth year ahead of us, as we see a swell in support for a republic across communities.

Today we speak to Senator Lidia Thorpe, a proud DjabWurrung Gunnai Gunditjmara woman, who is also a human rights, climate, and forest activist. Senator Thorpe is the Greens spokesperson for a republic, and talks about racism and what sovereignty really means for First Nations Australians.

Craig Foster AM has become one of Australia’s most respected sports people as a broadcaster, social justice advocate and human rights campaigner. He was recently elected to the ARM National Committee, after many years of strong republican support outside of the organisation. Hear about how supporters can mobilise together in this new chapter of the republican movement.

Professor Kim Rubenstein, constitutional lawyer and activist for gender equality, leads us through the history and the role of women in the Australian Constitution, and her own role in constructing the ARM's Australian Choice Model.

National Director and CEO of the Australian Republic Movement, Sandy Biar, speaks to us about our great momentum; the new Assistant Minister for the Republic; the road to the referendum; and the opaque actions of the Governor-General, also known as the Morrison saga.

From the arts to politics: today we speak to Debbie Scholem, a former professional freelance violinist for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Now in retirement, Debbie is dedicating her energy on her vision for Australia by advocating for a republic.

Join us as we chat to Franca Arena. At 84 she gives us her passionate account on being the first woman of non-English speaking background to be elected to an Australian parliament. A pioneer of the Australian Republic Movement, Franca got the ball rolling with her friend Faith Bandler, along with Neville Wran, Tom Keneally and Malcolm Turnbull. In 1991 the ARM is born!

Today we chat to republic supporter Simon Palomares. Join us as we chat about one of the most popular comedic theatre productions in Australian history, ‘Wogs out of Work’, the many facets of our society, and the power of transforming racial slurs.

Today we have Laurie Patton. Ahead of his time, Laurie was an early advocate in the 90s for better broadband technology, when it was deemed an unnecessary feature. Following a successful career spanning politics, media and technology, (including a series of senior executive roles at the Seven Network), Laurie Patton takes us on his next visionary mission, as a vocal advocate for an Australian repu...

Today we chat to Mr Rod Little, former Co-chair and Director of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples and Chairperson of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body. Join us as we discuss the republic model, and what it means for all Australians.

Our first episode for 2022 – Sandy Biar, National Director and CEO of the Australian Republic Movement, takes us through the newly launched republic model and the exciting opportunity facing all Australians. Tune in to hear all about an Australian Choice!

This episode we talk to Sandy Biar, CEO of the Australian Republic Movement. Sandy takes us through his fantastic trajectory of over a decade of political campaign experience, particularly with the ARM. Sandy explores how support for the republic has increased recently and prepares us for exciting news in the coming months. Get ready friends, it's time!

Join us as Deborah Crossing, National Women’s Convenor (ARM), explains the unique and important role women have in creating a new chapter in Australia’s history. Deborah speaks to us from South Australia, as she looks to empower members and supporters to be active in whatever capacity they feel able to do. Deborah started her career as a science/maths teacher. She then moved into various roles in...

Miriam D’Souza tells her tale of Australian citizenship, after arriving from the UK and realising she was swearing allegiance to the head of state of the place she'd just left a few years earlier. Miriam has over 25 years of experience advising on a wide range of major projects in Australian infrastructure, mining, waste and water sectors. She has been an avid republican for just as long.