Australian Monarchist League
Encyclopedia
The Australian Monarchist League is a non-profit organisation, headquartered in Sydney
, Australia
, promoting the monarchy of Australia, and providing information to members of the public about Australian history and the Australian Constitution
. The organisation was part of the "no" campaign in the 1999 republic referendum
, which asked whether Australia should become a republic and whether Australia should alter the constitution to insert a preamble
. Neither of the amendments passed.
, and were originally founded as a branch of the London
-based International Monarchist League
(IML). However, in 1993, the League severed affiliation with the IML, established itself as an independent Australian body. (A separate organisation, the Monarchist League in Australia, was formed in 2006 as an affiliate of the IML). The organisation is not formally associated with any political party or other organisation, and it has no paid staff, relying on volunteers to keep the group functioning. Philip Benwell, a merchant banker, has served on a volunteer basis as the national chairman and spokesman for the league for over ten years.
The League has established a Trust with a number of prominent Australian businessmen as Trustees. The most important role of the Trust is to raise and administer funds for the organisation's activities.
, the league took what was seen as a hardline approach, focusing on defending the monarchy – an approach that was quite different to the one that was favoured by some involved in the No campaign, who tended towards downplaying the monarchy and emphasising the weaknesses of the republican models on offer. As a result, it was an alternative organisation, Australians for Constitutional Monarchy
, who were chosen by then Prime Minister John Howard
to help head up the No campaign (along with those supporting an elected head of state). Nevertheless, the Australian Monarchist League played a role in the proceedings, including Benwell privately taking the Australian Electoral Commission
to the Federal Court
in an unsuccessful attempt to gain a firmer definition of what would count as a "yes" vote in the referendum, arguing that the planned approach (accepting any vote in which the voter's intention was clear) was such that the counting would be weighted towards "yes" and "opened the door for electoral fraud".
by photographer Erwin Olaf
at the Australian Centre for Photography. Similarly, they wrote to the Japanese ambassador in 1998 after Toyota ran an advertisement showing a Range Rover
with the words "Don't worry, Your Majesty, you're not the only British export that's had its day", resulting in Toyota withdrawing the advertisement; and in 2008 complained to both the Coopers Brewery
and the Advertising Standards Bureau
after Coopers ran an advertisement stating "Forget the monarchy, support the publicans", forcing its withdrawal.
Along with their actions during the referendum, the League have been active in protecting the symbols of Australia's constitutional monarchy; they acted to ensure that the pledge of loyalty to the monarch remained a part of Scouts Australia
, and spoke against the removal of references to the Queen from the Victorian legal system. Aside from campaigning, the AML distributed copies of William Dargie's
portrait of Queen Elizabeth II after the Commonwealth Government Bookshops ceased selling photographs of the monarch.
Other activities include disseminating literature and maintaining a library on Australian history and the Australian Constitution, and conducting public seminars.
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, promoting the monarchy of Australia, and providing information to members of the public about Australian history and the Australian Constitution
Constitution of Australia
The Constitution of Australia is the supreme law under which the Australian Commonwealth Government operates. It consists of several documents. The most important is the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia...
. The organisation was part of the "no" campaign in the 1999 republic referendum
Australian republic referendum, 1999
The Australian republic referendum held on 6 November 1999 was a two-question referendum to amend the Constitution of Australia. The first question asked whether Australia should become a republic with a President appointed by Parliament following a bi-partisan appointment model which had...
, which asked whether Australia should become a republic and whether Australia should alter the constitution to insert a preamble
Preamble
A preamble is an introductory and expressionary statement in a document that explains the document's purpose and underlying philosophy. When applied to the opening paragraphs of a statute, it may recite historical facts pertinent to the subject of the statute...
. Neither of the amendments passed.
Structure
The Australian Monarchist League is incorporated as an association in New South WalesNew South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, and were originally founded as a branch of the London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
-based International Monarchist League
International Monarchist League
The International Monarchist League is an organisation dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the monarchical system of government and the principle of monarchy worldwide...
(IML). However, in 1993, the League severed affiliation with the IML, established itself as an independent Australian body. (A separate organisation, the Monarchist League in Australia, was formed in 2006 as an affiliate of the IML). The organisation is not formally associated with any political party or other organisation, and it has no paid staff, relying on volunteers to keep the group functioning. Philip Benwell, a merchant banker, has served on a volunteer basis as the national chairman and spokesman for the league for over ten years.
The League has established a Trust with a number of prominent Australian businessmen as Trustees. The most important role of the Trust is to raise and administer funds for the organisation's activities.
1999 republic referendum
During the 1999 republic referendum on the future of Australia's constitutional monarchyConstitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a constitution, whether it be a written, uncodified or blended constitution...
, the league took what was seen as a hardline approach, focusing on defending the monarchy – an approach that was quite different to the one that was favoured by some involved in the No campaign, who tended towards downplaying the monarchy and emphasising the weaknesses of the republican models on offer. As a result, it was an alternative organisation, Australians for Constitutional Monarchy
Australians for Constitutional Monarchy
Australians for Constitutional Monarchy is a group that aims to preserve Australia's current constitutional monarchy, with Elizabeth II as Queen of Australia...
, who were chosen by then Prime Minister John Howard
John Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
to help head up the No campaign (along with those supporting an elected head of state). Nevertheless, the Australian Monarchist League played a role in the proceedings, including Benwell privately taking the Australian Electoral Commission
Australian Electoral Commission
The Australian Electoral Commission, or the AEC, is the federal government agency in charge of organising and supervising federal elections and referendums. State and local government elections are overseen by the Electoral Commission in each state and territory.The Australian Electoral Commission...
to the Federal Court
Federal Court of Australia
The Federal Court of Australia is an Australian superior court of record which has jurisdiction to deal with most civil disputes governed by federal law , along with some summary criminal matters. Cases are heard at first instance by single Judges...
in an unsuccessful attempt to gain a firmer definition of what would count as a "yes" vote in the referendum, arguing that the planned approach (accepting any vote in which the voter's intention was clear) was such that the counting would be weighted towards "yes" and "opened the door for electoral fraud".
Recent activities
Both prior and subsequent to the referendum, the Australian Monarchist League has acted to protect the image of the constitutional monarchy. In 2005 the organisation lodged formal complaints about an image depicting the late Princess DianaDiana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
by photographer Erwin Olaf
Erwin Olaf
Erwin Olaf is a Dutch photographer.Olaf is most famous for his commercial and personal work. He has been commissioned to photograph advertising campaigns for large international companies such as Levi's, Microsoft and Nokia. Some of his most famous photographic series include "Grief", "Rain", and...
at the Australian Centre for Photography. Similarly, they wrote to the Japanese ambassador in 1998 after Toyota ran an advertisement showing a Range Rover
Range Rover
The Range Rover is a large luxury four-wheel drive sport utility vehicle produced by British car maker Land Rover. The model, launched in 1970, is now in its third generation...
with the words "Don't worry, Your Majesty, you're not the only British export that's had its day", resulting in Toyota withdrawing the advertisement; and in 2008 complained to both the Coopers Brewery
Coopers Brewery
Coopers Brewery is an Australian beer company. Its shares are primarily owned by the extended Cooper family, and the company's constitution and classes of shares makes it difficult to sell shares outside the family. Coopers is known for making a variety of high quality beers, the most famous of...
and the Advertising Standards Bureau
Advertising Standards Bureau (Australia)
The Advertising Standards Bureau is an Australian organisation that investigates breaches of advertising standards in the Australian media...
after Coopers ran an advertisement stating "Forget the monarchy, support the publicans", forcing its withdrawal.
Along with their actions during the referendum, the League have been active in protecting the symbols of Australia's constitutional monarchy; they acted to ensure that the pledge of loyalty to the monarch remained a part of Scouts Australia
Scouts Australia
Scouts Australia is an organisation for children and young adults from 6 to 26 years of age. Scouts Australia is part of the global Scouting movement and has been a national member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement since 1953...
, and spoke against the removal of references to the Queen from the Victorian legal system. Aside from campaigning, the AML distributed copies of William Dargie's
William Dargie
Sir William Alexander Dargie CBE was an Australian painter, known especially for his portrait paintings. He holds the record for the most Archibald Prize wins; eight. He was an official Australian War Artist during World War II.- Biography :William Dargie was born in Footscray, Victoria, the first...
portrait of Queen Elizabeth II after the Commonwealth Government Bookshops ceased selling photographs of the monarch.
Other activities include disseminating literature and maintaining a library on Australian history and the Australian Constitution, and conducting public seminars.
Membership
The League has approximately 3000 members as of 2008, with branches in each State and in the Australian Capital Territory. All office bearers are elected by the membership and serve on a voluntary basis.See also
- Australian Constitutional History
- Constitutional MonarchyConstitutional monarchyConstitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a constitution, whether it be a written, uncodified or blended constitution...
- Australians for Constitutional MonarchyAustralians for Constitutional MonarchyAustralians for Constitutional Monarchy is a group that aims to preserve Australia's current constitutional monarchy, with Elizabeth II as Queen of Australia...