2008 In Review

Well, 2008 is almost over, so it's time for the usual end-of-year wrap ups and summaries.

• January: Former Prime Minister Mike Moore calls for a Constitutional Convention to look at the republic and other issues. The Republican Movement supports the statement. Sir Edmund Hillary passes away, and after a week of indicating a member of the Royal family would attend his state funeral, Buckingham Palace announces no member of the Royal family will attend, sparking outrage. The Republican Movement argues this shows the Royal family is unable to do the job of head of State for New Zealand.
• February: United Future leader Peter Dunne calls for a referendum on the republic issue. The Republican Movement submits to the Human Rights Commission on the discriminatory nature of the monarchy against other races.
• March: The British Government proposes abolishing ancestry visas.
• April: On the Queen's 82nd Birthday, a poll by Curia Market Research finds 40% of New Zealanders support a republic when Prince Charles becomes King. United Future calls for submissions on its national identity policy. The Republican Movement submits that the party should have a policy of public education on the constitution and a referendum on a republic.
• May: The 2008 Budget is announced, incuding a massive increase in funding for the Office of Governor-General. The Republican Movement points out this makes the Governor-General more expensive than the President of Ireland.
• June: The Republican Movement launches the President of New Zealand website.
• July: Nominations open for the first elected head of State on the President of New Zealand website. By the end of the month, over 1,000 submissions have been made for the President of New Zealand.
• August: The Australian Electoral Study finds 60% of Australians support a republic.
• September: The Law Commission reviews the Civil List Act 1979, which sets out how much the Governor-General and members of Parliament are paid. The Republican Movement argues in our submission that the Governor-General should no longer be exempt from paying income tax, and that Parliament should pass a "Governor-General Act" to govern the office.
• October: The final round of the President of New Zealand website: with 3,100 votes cast, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa wins the day.
• November: We call on new Prime Minister John Key to raise the republic issue with the Queen on his first visit overseas. In Australia, Senator Bob Brown introduces a Bill to bring about a plebiscite on the republic issue.
• December: Canada's Governor General suspends Parliament to prevent the Prime Minister from losing a vote of confidence, prompting calls for the position to be made elective.