The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) has received donations totalling 250,000 Australian dollars (£143,000) from businessperson James Packer. This is the second largest donation ever made to ARM.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald ARM chairperson Peter Fitzsimons would not confirm the donations but said: “We are going bloody well, and will make some announcements in due course. But you ain’t seen nothing yet”.
All but one of Australia’s state and territory leaders have declared their support for freeing Australia from the feudal institution of monarchy. According to the same newspaper “Other high-profile supporters (of ARM) include Ambassador to the United States Joe Hockey, Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce, actor Hugh Jackman, businesswoman Janet Holmes à Court, former Queensland premier Anna Bligh and NAB chairman Ken Henry”.