Liberty Newsletter May 2025
The front cover says it all. What happened on Saturday, 3 May was not just a rout of the Liberals, but an indirect empowerment of Anthony Albanese to continue with his campaign to undermine every public facet of our system of constitutional monarchy. Alongside is a chart of just a few examples of the manner in which he has removed the symbols, the traditions and the instruments of the Crown.
Already, many people are asking “Why are we still tied to Britain and the King?” They seem to be unaware that Australia is totally independent and just 25 years ago, the Australian people decided to retain our safe and secure system of constitutional monarchy of which the King is a part. However, the King does not rule Australia, the governments elected by the people do. The King may reign, which in the Australian sense is to ‘hold authority’, but upon the appointment of the Governor-General, he or she temporarily assumes whatever powers the King may have as the King’s representative.
A couple of years ago we established the Australian Nationhood Foundation, as an entity designed to educate Australians on our system of governance and on the Crown. However, we were unable to activate the Foundation due to a lack of funding. Alan Tudge, Minister for Education in the Morrison government blatantly refused to help and you can be certain that there will be no help from the Albanese government.
As far as the Australian Monarchist League is concerned, we remain Australia’s greatest fighting force in defence of the Australian Constitution and Crown, but we do this on a hand-to-mouth existence reliant upon the time our few volunteers can afford to give and yet, we make a big impact.
The Liberal Party, which has for years been moving away from the original principles based on constitutional monarchy established by Sir Robert Menzies, had sent the following prior to the election in recognition of the important voice the Australian Monarchist League now has:
MESSAGE FROM THE LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA TO THE AUSTRALIAN MONARCHIST LEAGUE
“The Coalition believes Australia has benefitted from the stability of a democracy with the Monarchy as our bedrock.
While this is ultimately a consideration for the Australian people via a referendum,
we believe the current constitutional arrangements have served us well since Federation.” Sunday 30 March 2025.
Make no mistake—the Albanese government will continue its quiet push for a republic, sidelining our Crown in favour of a political president beholden to corporate interests.
AML will always stand firm against this. We will fight to ensure Australia’s democracy is preserved and not tarnished.
Yours sincerely
Philip Benwell
National Chair
Australian Monarchist League
However people may have voted, and for whatever reason, is not the business of the Australian Monarchist League but the result means that the fight, as far as protecting the Crown is concerned, is on. With his majority and with his history of actions against the monarchy, it is only sensible that we be prepared for a further onslaught on the Australian Constitution and Crown with the ultimate purpose of removing both.
After the recent rout of the Liberal Party, we can no longer look to them to stand up and defend our Constitution. We remember that in 1999 the Liberal Party stood aside and did not support the NO case as they later did with the Voice to the Parliament. We would have lost in 1999 were it not for Traditional Labor in the outer suburban seats of the major cities coming forward and voting a definite NO to a republic, just as they voted a definite NO to the Voice.
Now, we must recognize that we stand alone and this is accordingly a call to arms for all those who place their trust in our Constitution and Crown and who value our flag and heritage to rally behind the Australian Monarchist League as it grows, mobilizes, and plans for the future.
PLEASE HELP US AND MAKE YOUR VOICE COUNT.
We therefore appeal to those who can afford it to consider becoming a monthly donor.
We know that a number of our supporters have attended expensive political functions. If you feel inclined to attend an exclusive AML fundraising function, please let us know so that we can put your name down for future private functions.
For those who wish to actively participate, please reach out and tell us how you can help.
Our email is: [email protected] and our address is: P O Box A1213, Sydney South NSW 1235. To phone and leave a message, please call: 1300 495 949
Most importantly, we must raise at least $100,000 to employ administrative staff. We have grown too large for volunteers alone to manage. Unfortunately, we lack DGR tax status, which means that donations to us are not tax-deductible, and to be expected neither the Tax Office nor the Albanese government will grant it to us.
Thank you for supporting our Constitutional Crown.
Note: The article below first appeared in The Spectator Australia just prior to the Federal election which saw Labor returned with an unassailable majority and potentially with a majority in the Senate in alliance with the Greens. The text is Alexander’s. The graphics are AML’s.
On 3 May, remember your Constitution
Alexander Voltz
Let us be quite clear on this matter: it is irrelevant whether the Voice to Parliament is, to reference the recent suggestion by both Penny Wong and The Australian, ‘inevitable’. The Voice has already accomplished all that it set out to achieve. I have repeatedly argued, and shall do so again now, that the 2023 referendum was but in aid of Labor’s ultimate objective: the rewriting of the Australian Constitution to transform this country into a republic.
I hardly need establish that the removal of the Crown is at the apex of Labor’s constitutional agenda. The party’s vendetta against the legacy of Sir John Kerr knows no sunset clause. In 2022, Anthony Albanese took the unprecedented step of appointing Matt Thistlethwaite as Assistant Minister for the Republic. Mr Thistlethwaite’s portfolio fell under the Attorney-General’s department.
Why, then, was an Assistant Minister for the Voice, answering to the Minister for Indigenous Australians (who, presumably, has more duties than arguing for constitutional change), never similarly appointed? I think, reader, you can guess the answer.
Today, there is no mention of either the Voice to Parliament or the Uluru Statement from the Heart in the Australian Labor Party National Constitution, itself re-adopted by Labor less than two months before 14 October 2023. But on the document’s fourth page, B (5) (m) states:
…the Australian Labor Party stands for reform of the Australian Constitution and other political institutions to ensure that they reflect…the existence of Australia as an independent republic.
The Albanese Government deliberately canned the Commonwealth’s plans to celebrate both the Platinum Jubilee and the King’s coronation.
A known corporate activist, who described Australia Day as an ‘invasion’, has been installed as governor-general. Our late Queen’s effigy has been stripped from our five-dollar note. I could go on.
We live in an age of data collection. In 1999, definitive data was collected on the prospects of an Australian republic. Ignore the numeric result, in which 54.87% voted against replacing the Crown with ‘a President appointed by a two-thirds majority of the members of the Commonwealth Parliament’. From defeat in 1999, republicans drew what they continue to believe a critical conclusion. They resolved that it is virtually impossible to affect constitutional change if such change is unduly technically argued.
That is, the mistake made, in republicans’ minds, was to provide the voting public with too many complicated details, leading them to feel confused and, thus, fearful.
More recently, a constitutional experiment of entirely opposite proportions was conducted. Whereas in 1998 John Howard held a well-planned convention to consider the merits of a republic referendum, the views comprising the Uluru Dialogues, themselves the purported basis for the Statement from the Heart, were collected with scant regard for the scientific method; questions put to samples of biased respondents were not standardised and were reported without scrutiny. The Voice to Parliament debate, then, threw technical argument to the wind. Proponents of the constitutionally enshrined racial body now argued, in a contemptible display of emotional manipulation, its ‘vibe’. Legal reasoning for its merits was light to non-existent. Perhaps predictably, this inverted strategy also bred confusion and fear – as well as widespread anger and, to recycle a sentiment used extensively throughout the affair, ‘division’. The Voice was overwhelmingly defeated.
Republicans were left scratching their heads. Too much detail in 1999 had failed. So had the ill-constructed, $450 million trojan horse of 2023. In January this year, the prime minister told the Guardian Australia that Labor ‘will not be holding a referendum in [its projected] second term on any issue’. I do not believe him for a second. Nor should you. Albanese’s effortless disdain for the truth has been well-documented these last three years. He is also prone to gaffes. In the next breath, he went on to tell the Guardian: ‘Referendums are hard to win in this country. And we’ve seen, I think, that all it takes is opposition’.
All it takes is opposition. But what if opposition is eliminated? In March 2023, Labor rammed through amendments to Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984. Those amendments, among other things, now make it much harder for grassroots organisations to involve themselves in referendum campaigns. The Albanese Government was less successful, thank God, in its attempt to legislate Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2023. Certainly, in the aftermath of the Voice, I catalogued numerous claims that misinformation was to blame for the referendum’s defeat.
Historically, the National Party and Menzies’ Liberal Party have served as the central bulwarks against parliamentary and, thus, on-the-ground support for a republic. Then came the first Malcolm, Malcolm Fraser, and, later, the other one. Today, Peter Dutton’s deputy, Sussan Ley, is a public supporter of the Australian Republic Movement. One of the movement’s present co-chairs is the husband of former Canberra Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee. Until recently, the movement’s national director and chief executive officer was a former staffer to Michael McCormack when McCormack served as deputy prime minister. It’s also worth remembering that Janet Holmes à Court, mother of Teal mogul Simon Holmes à Court, was a republican delegate to Howard’s 1998 convention and remains a staunch advocate for a republic.
On Saturday, her son’s Climate 200 candidates will attempt to unseat a further 19 sitting Coalition members, as well as three sitting independents who entered the 47th Parliament with the Coalition.
Republican insurgents are not, therefore, of any one political colour. But the fact remains that, if re-elected, Labor, the party of institutional republicanism, will continue to subvert Section 128 of the Constitution, the people’s right alone to constitutional reform. Indeed, this inevitably can only be exacerbated if Labor is forced to govern in minority with the Greens. And, so, if the Albanese Government is returned this weekend, it befalls us all to keep our eyes wide open and, when appropriate, object in strong number.
END
Alexander Voltz is a composer and monarchist.
Through our continuous hard work, the Australian Monarchist League has recently grown into one of the largest voluntary associations in the country. Our messages against those who would seek to denigrate the Australian Constitution and Crown now reach tens of thousands of people all around Australia.
Officialdom views us as a political organisation, and if we were to register as one, we would receive numerous taxation benefits. However, we are not a political organisation but rather a movement championing the Australian Constitution and Crown.
We do this for what the Crown actually means and does in protecting the Australian Constitution and therefore the freedoms and liberty of the Australian people. The monarchy is more than a person or even tradition—it is a vital shield against absolute political power.
As you would be aware, we don’t simply hold functions and write lengthy tomes that no one reads, we get out there and we actively fight to retain our democracy under the Crown . Since we began our fight against a republic over 30 years ago, we have had some huge victories, not the least of which was helping to win the NO vote in the 1999 republic referendum. We also caused corporations and advertising agencies to cease ridiculing Queen Elizabeth and the Australian Constitution in their promotions and even brought the multinational company, Toyota, to its knees with its president begging us to cease our campaign against them. This was when they put out an advertisement promoting their new Lexus four-wheel-drive, saying “Don’t worry your Majesty, you’re not the only British export to have had its day.”
For over 30 years, we have actively fought to preserve democracy under the Crown. From securing the NO vote in the 1999 republic referendum to compelling corporations to respect Queen Elizabeth and the Constitution, we have stood unwavering in our mission.
Safeguarding Our Heritage
Yet sustaining this fight comes at a cost. Increasing expenses have forced us to downsize, and heartbreakingly, we must part with our cherished library—a collection built over three decades. To continue this vital work, we must employ staff to ensure the League remains strong.
You would not be a member of the League if you did not believe in maintaining our Constitution and Crown and accordingly, I am wondering if you would give serious consideration to remembering us with a bequest in your Will. By so doing you would greatly help us for times ahead and I can assure you that your name will be suitably recorded as a benefactor although I appreciate that some of you may prefer to remain anonymous.
Many of the world's lasting achievements throughout recorded history be they buildings, institutions, ideas, the arts etc have only been accomplished through the help of benefactors. It is an ancient but hugely effective way of retaining or forming ideas which many of us see as essential to our time on earth. In our case it is not just the Australian Monarchist League but the cause of the Constitutional Crown and the peace and stability it offers us now, and in this particular case, for future generations.
If you are making a new will, or inserting a codicil, we would be pleased to forward the correct wording.
In closing, May I say that we are always here for you, as we are for all who cherish the benefits of our democracy, and we sincerely hope that that you will always be there for us.
Yours sincerely
Philip Benwell
National Chair
Australian Monarchist League
[email protected]
There is a certain amount of confusion in regard to the role of King Charles III as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. This does not mean that he is the administrative head, but rather the titular head whose main role is to maintain the Protestant Reformed religion. Actual decisions regarding Church administration are made by the Archbishop of Canterbury, his Bishops and the British government.
However, as King, Charles also has a duty to all his subjects whatever their religion may be, if any.
Today, only 15.7% of the UK population identifies as Church of England, with Christians making up less than half. Muslims, at 6.5%, now represent more than a third of those identifying as Anglican.
Queen Elizabeth II consistently championed respect for all faiths, affirming that the Church of England’s duty was to protect religious freedom. She demonstrated this commitment through visits to mosques and temples, recognizing the diverse beliefs of her people.
There was once speculation that, during a 1996 trip to Turkey, the then-Prince Charles converted to Islam—prompting Buckingham Palace to issue a swift denial, reaffirming that “The Prince of Wales is a loyal member of the Church of England.” While he has expressed admiration for aspects of Islam, his commitment to Christianity remains firm, despite acknowledging the Church’s many shortcomings, both historical and current.
In his Coronation Oath, King Charles had sworn to be “Defender of the Faith”. It was the Archbishop of Canterbury who asked of the King: “Your Majesty, the Church established by law, whose settlement you will swear to maintain, is committed to the true profession of the Gospel, and, in so doing, will seek to foster an environment in which people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely.”
Like his father before him, King Charles takes a philosophical approach to faith, exploring both Christian mysticism and elements of Islam—views that have stirred both intrigue and concern among various religious communities.
However, the King is not executive head of state in Australia as that responsibility is designated by him to the Governor-General but the King's existence, wherever he may be in person, blocks politicians from assuming absolute power. This may lead people to ask, “then why have a monarchy?”
The answer lies in the Crown itself—a foundational element of our Constitution upon which our laws are established. To abolish the Crown is to replace it with the state, placing total control in the hands of politicians.
Our fight has never been about the individual—whether King Charles III or Queen Elizabeth II—but rather to retain the Crown within our constitution because constitutional monarchy best protects the freedoms of the people by blocking politicians from total power.
As for religion, Australia’s Constitution is clear: there is no state-imposed faith, only the right to religious freedom.
The mass immigration of non-Christians is a matter for the government and the people who elected it, not for the Crown which ensures the people a free choice at the ballot box and if the people endorse one party or another, then that is the people’s decision not that of the King. In other words:
The King does not govern; the people do.
As far as the Australian Monarchist League is concerned, we will always stand for democracy, liberty, and the enduring protection of our heritage and flag under the Crown.
END
A hand of friendship is established between AML and ACM Toowoomba.
A few weeks ago, Philip Benwell, as Chairman of the Australian Monarchist League, was invited to speak at ACM Toowoomba’s Annual General Meeting. This gathering reaffirmed the shared commitment of both organizations to defending Australia’s constitutional monarchy.
ACM was founded in 1991 in response to Prime Minister Paul Keating’s push for a republic and to counter the establishment of the Australian Republican Movement by Neville Wran, Thomas Keneally, and Malcolm Turnbull. The Australian Monarchist League, though originally formed nearly 50 years earlier, was restructured in 1993 to uphold the honour of Queen Elizabeth II and protect the integrity of the Crown.
For various reasons both continued on as separate entities, ACM as a No Liability company with supporters and AML as an incorporated association with members who are able to democratically vote for members of the AML National Council and have a say at its National Conference.
In the spirit of solidarity, AML and ACM Toowoomba have now established a friendly relationship—an example of how monarchist organizations across Australia should work together.
We look forward to collaborating with our new friends in Toowoomba and strengthening our shared mission.
Thank you.
END
AML PROVES THAT REMOVING THE MONARCH FROM OUR $5 NOTE
IS REPUBLICANISM BY STEALTH BY ALBANESE & THE RESERVE BANK.
On 2 February 2023, the Reserve Bank of Australia announced that following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the image of King Charles III would not appear on the new five-dollar banknote. Instead, the design would celebrate First Nations peoples.
On 17 March 2025, the Reserve Bank further revealed that the updated $5 note would honour the emotional, spiritual, and physical connection of First Nations peoples to Country. Assistant Governor Michelle McPhee described the theme as reflecting their deep ties to land, waters, and sky.
However, what was not mentioned was the $507,000 spent by Reserve Bank officials on Consultations - at a time when Australians are struggling to put food on their table and to pay their mortgage.
Opposition to Removing the Monarch’s Image
The Australian Monarchist League (AML) had previously opposed the removal of the monarch’s image but was ignored. Upon hearing the latest announcement, AML commissioned a professional graphic incorporating both Indigenous artwork and King Charles III, demonstrating that the monarch's image need not be removed.
The design, created with Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, maintains a familiar colour palette for easy recognition.
National & International Recognition
Our artwork gained national and international attention, with The Daily Mail UK Royal Confidential naming AML its ‘Unsung Royal Hero of the Week’ for the campaign.
Prominent media figures, including Natalie Barr (Sunrise Co-Host) and Amanda Rose (Sydney Women CEO), publicly criticized the Reserve Bank's spending, highlighting Australians' financial struggles:
“I'm glad my taxes paid for them to go on a nice little trip [costing over half a million dollars] while people can't afford their rent,” Ms Rose said.
"This is a classic example of how disconnected our government is - because people can't even afford food and they're using taxpayer money to go on this road trip to ask people on something that we didn't even vote for. They didn't even ask the general community. Who said they wanted it changed? We're not a republic. Why are they getting rid of any monarchy at all on our $5 note?" — Amanda Rose.
Public & Political Support
AML launched a petition to retain the King’s image on the note, gathering over 3,000 signatures. We formally wrote to Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock and Prime Minister Albanese on this matter.
Former Opposition Leader Hon. Peter Dutton MP publicly condemned the decision, calling it: “An assault on our systems, society, and our institutions.” — 9NEWS Australia, 17 March 2025
The History & Importance of the Monarch’s Image
We have clearly proven that the removal of the monarch’s image is a part of Albanese ‘republicanism by stealth’.
For instance, we have shown that since 1913, the monarch’s image has appeared on Australian banknotes (see image) and our monarchs were honoured ever since,
until the era of the Albanese Republicanism By Stealth campaign, when it was despotically decided by the Australian government to remove
the monarch’s image from the five dollar note.
Furthermore, the Reserve Bank has conveniently forgotten that there is a precedent to have both the monarch and indigenous artwork on our currency. The first one dollar paper note in 1966 featured Queen Elizabeth together with Aboriginal artwork, as can be seen on this image.
Our Call to Action
Australia’s history should be respected in full, rather than selectively rewritten. The Reserve Bank’s removal of the monarch is nothing more than ‘republicanism by stealth.’
The King’s image and Indigenous artwork can coexist, as our design demonstrates. Removing one for the other is clearly nothing but republicanism by stealth.
The Australian Monarchist League is out in the trenches fighting for our Constitution and Crown but we need your help to continue doing so.
Thank you for standing with us.
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