Philip Benwell, MBE
He had earlier coordinated the Queen Elizabeth Gate Appeal in Australia raising the largest amount of any Commonwealth country other than the UK. The Appeal had been established by Prince Michael of Kent to build the Queen Elizabeth Gates in Hyde Park, London as a tribute to the Queen Mother.
Benwell has written a number of books and papers including:
“In Defence of Australia's Constitutional Monarchy.”
ISBN: 07734-66967 (2003)
“A very public affair – The Australian Constitution and Crown.”
ISBN: 978-0-646-51652-3 (2013/4)
"Australia - Our Country, Our Constitution, Our Governance."
ISBN: 978-0-646-96330-3 (2016).
Prior to his involvement in the Australian Monarchist League, Benwell had been engaged in various community and sporting activities. He was awarded the MBE in 1976 for his work within the community.
His advice on the Australian and British Constitutions has been often sought in Britain and elsewhere. The late Lord Molyneaux of Killead commented that Benwell “is renowned not only in Australia but throughout the Commonwealth for his dedication to sound governance. His first-hand experience of structures in most nations of the world, where his judgment is widely respected, has led to his advice being widely sought in democracies great and small.”
He has written ‘The Wattle Crown’ as a tribute to Her Most Gracious Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, Queen of Australia, whom he has served in a voluntary capacity for half of his life.
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LOI Twelfth July 2025
BOOKINGS NOW CLOSED, SORRY
Saturday, 12 July 2025 at 12:30 PM
(parade and service at 11:30 AM)Coro 88 (formerly known as 'The Coronation Club'), 86 Burwood Road, Burwood NSW 2134
$70 per person (drinks purchased separately)
Registration: below
WhenJuly 12, 2025 at 12:30pmWhereThe Coronation Club, Burwood
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Dinner with Phil Twis MP
Dinner with the Hon. Phil Twiss MP
DATE: Friday 18 July 2025 at 6:30 pm
VENUE: St. John Anglican Church, Freemantle.COST: $30 plus BYO
DRESS: Smart casualWhenJuly 18, 2025 at 6:30pm -
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Letter to the Governor-General
Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC
Governor-General of Australia
Government House
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Your Excellency
We write with deep concern regarding remarks attributed to you in The Sydney Morning Herald of 24 June 2025, in which you are reported as stating: “But the King doesn’t direct me and I don’t seek his advice. It’s the prime minister and the ministry I take my counsel from, and that I work with.”
Such a statement, if accurately reported, appears to depart from the conventions that have long guided the office of Governor-General. While it is understood that the Governor-General acts on ministerial advice in most matters, the office is held as the representative of the Sovereign, not as a delegate of the Prime Minister. The distinction is not merely symbolic; it is foundational to the integrity of our constitutional system.
We are particularly concerned that the phrasing of your remarks may be interpreted as dismissive of the King’s role and suggestive of an overly close alignment with the Prime Minister and his government.
The Governor-General must remain above politics and be seen to uphold the impartiality and dignity of the Crown. To imply that counsel is sought exclusively from the Prime Minister and ministry risks undermining public confidence in the independence of the high office to which the King has appointed you.
If Your Excellency does not wish to uphold the duties, conventions, and constitutional responsibilities of the Governor-General as the King’s representative in Australia, we respectfully submit that resignation would be the appropriate course.
Yours sincerely, -
Philip Benwell published A VERY PUBLIC AFFAIR - INTRODUCTION in A very Public Affair 2025-06-23 22:31:35 +1000
A VERY PUBLIC AFFAIR - INTRODUCTION
This book was first published in 2009 and relates to speeches and articles written over the preceding eight years. The title itself, ‘A Very Public Affair’ may seem to many to be perhaps more suggestive of a quixotic film script than a title for a series of writings on the Australian Constitution and Crown.
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A Very Public Affair
A VERY PUBLIC AFFAIR
The Crown and the Australian Constitution
by
Philip Benwell MBEINDEX
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Philip Benwell published A Very Public Affair - Index in A very Public Affair 2025-06-23 13:16:12 +1000
A Very Public Affair - Index
A VERY PUBLIC AFFAIR
The Crown and the Australian Constitution
by
Philip Benwell MBEINDEX
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Philip Benwell published ANNEXURE 14 - REPORT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION in ANNEXURE 14 - REPORT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION 2025-06-22 23:56:22 +1000
ANNEXURE 14 - REPORT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
ANNEXURE 14
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REPORT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION -
Philip Benwell published ANNEXURE 13 - UNION WITH SCOTLAND ACT 1706 in ANNEXURE 13 - UNION WITH SCOTLAND ACT 1706 2025-06-22 23:55:57 +1000
ANNEXURE 13 - UNION WITH SCOTLAND ACT 1706
ANNEXURE 13
UNION WITH SCOTLAND ACT 17061706 c.11 6_Ann
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X1
An Act for an Union of the Two Kingdoms of England and Scotland -
Philip Benwell published ANNEXURE 12 – THE ACT OF SETTLEMENT in ANNEXURE 12 – THE ACT OF SETTLEMENT 2025-06-22 23:55:29 +1000
ANNEXURE 12 – THE ACT OF SETTLEMENT
ANNEXURE 12
THE ACT OF SETTLEMENTThe Act of Settlement is an act of the Parliament of England passed in 1701, to settle the succession to the English throne on the Electress Sophia of Hanover – a granddaughter of James I – and her Protestant heirs. Act of Settlement 1700. 1700 c.2 12 _and_13_Will_3. An Act for the further Limitation of the Crown and better securing the Rights and Liberties of the Subject
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Philip Benwell published ANNEXURE 11 - THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM GEORGE 111 in A VERY PUBLIC AFFAIR- CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENTS 2025-06-22 23:54:59 +1000
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Philip Benwell published ANNEXURE 10 - IMPERIAL CONFERENCE, 1930 in ANNEXURE 10 - IMPERIAL CONFERENCE, 1930 2025-06-22 23:54:41 +1000
ANNEXURE 10 - IMPERIAL CONFERENCE, 1930
ANNEXURE 10
IMPERIAL CONFERENCE, 1930
Extract fromSUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS IMPERIAL CONFERENCE 1930*
Presented to Parliament by
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Command of His Majesty,
November, 1930 -
Philip Benwell published ANNEXURE 9 - IMPERIAL CONFERENCE, 1926 in ANNEXURE 9 - IMPERIAL CONFERENCE, 1926 2025-06-22 23:53:58 +1000
ANNEXURE 9 - IMPERIAL CONFERENCE, 1926
ANNEXURE 9
IMPERIAL CONFERENCE, 1926
Extract fromSUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS* IMPERIAL
CONFERENCE, 1926Presented to Parliament by
Command of His Majesty,
November, 1926VI- INTER-IMPERIAL RELATIONS
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REPORT OF INTER-IMPERIAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE -
Philip Benwell published ANNEXURE 8 - Royal Style and Titles Act 1973 in ANNEXURE 8 - Royal Style and Titles Act 1973 2025-06-22 23:53:33 +1000
ANNEXURE 8 - Royal Style and Titles Act 1973
ANNEXURE 8
`Copyright Commonwealth of Australia. This material has been reproduced by permission, but does not purport to be the official or authorised version.'
Royal Style and Titles Act 1973
Act No. 114 of 1973
This Act was prepared on 29 April 2002
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Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting, Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra -
ANNEXURE 7 - Privy Council (Appeals from the High Court) Act 1975 Act No. 33 of 1975
ANNEXURE 7
`Copyright Commonwealth of Australia. This material has been reproduced by permission, but does not purport to be the official or authorised version.'
Privy Council (Appeals from the High Court) Act 1975 Act No. 33 of 1975
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ANNEXURE 6 - Privy Council (Limitation of Appeals) Act 1968 Act No. 36 of 1968 as amended
ANNEXURE 6
`Copyright Commonwealth of Australia. This material has been reproduced by permission, but does not purport to be the official or authorised version.'
Privy Council (Limitation of Appeals) Act 1968 Act No. 36 of 1968 as amended
This compilation was prepared on 7 November 2000 taking into account amendments up to Act No. 216 of 1973
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The text of any of those amendments not in force on that date is appended in the Notes section
Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting, Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra -
Philip Benwell published ANNEXURE 5 - Royal Powers Act 1953 in ANNEXURE 5 - Royal Powers Act 1953 2025-06-22 23:52:06 +1000
ANNEXURE 5 - Royal Powers Act 1953
ANNEXURE 5
`Copyright Commonwealth of Australia. This material has been reproduced by permission, but does not purport to be the official or authorised version.'
Royal Powers Act 1953
Act No. 74 of 1953 as amended
This compilation was prepared on 1 July 2008 taking into account amendments up to Act No.73 of 2008
The text of any of those amendments not in force on that date is appended in the Notes section
The operation of amendments that have been incorporated may be affected by application provisions that are set out in the Notes section
Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing, Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra -
Philip Benwell published ANNEXURE 4 -Royal Style and Titles 1953 in ANNEXURE 4 - Royal Style and Titles 1953 2025-06-22 23:51:40 +1000
ANNEXURE 4 -Royal Style and Titles 1953
ANNEXURE 4
`Copyright Commonwealth of Australia. This material has been reproduced by permission, but does not purport to be the official or authorised version.'
No. [32] of 1953.
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AN ACT
Relating to the Royal Style and Titles.
Assented to[Elizabeth R] April 3 1953.] -
Philip Benwell published ANNEXURE 11 - THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM GEORGE 111 in ANNEXURE 11 - THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM GEORGE 111 2025-06-22 23:51:06 +1000
ANNEXURE 11 - THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM GEORGE 111
ANNEXURE 11
THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM GEORGE 111
TO CAPTAIN ARTHUR PHILLIP FIRST GOVERNOR OF NEW SOUTH WALESNOTE: original document handwritten on 6 [size] pages.
(A copy of this document is available in the Historical Records of Australia).
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Philip Benwell published ANNEXURE 1 - Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act (The Constitution) in A VERY PUBLIC AFFAIR- CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENTS 2025-06-22 23:49:33 +1000
