Turnbull: 'Our Head Of State Should Be One Of Us'

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has called for a renewed push toward an Australian Republic at a gala dinner Saturday night, declaring his continued support for the movement.

Motivated by "a love for our nation above all others," Turnbull said it is a "straight forward issue of principal and national pride".

"Our head of state should be one of us," Turnbull said. However, the Prime Minister said an Australian Republic would not happen during the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

"You have a lot of work ahead of you. It's about patience, endurance and mutual respect."

The event at University of Sydney marked the 25th anniversary of the Australian Republican Movement (ARM) of which Turnbull is a founding member.

"25 years ago we founded the ARM with the same spirit that has brought us together tonight. Patriotism, pure and simple," Turnbull said.

"When we founded the ARM in 1991, we never thought we would be celebrating in 25 years."

The Prime Minister said the ARM needs to have an advisory plebiscite that offers two potential models for a Republic and that young Australian's must be engaged in the campaign. He attributed the failure of the 1999 referendum to the perception the Republic was for the politicians and not the people.

"The less highly political the Republican movement is, the broader its supporter base will be," Turnbull said.

"What the parliament needs to see is a strong grassroots movement for an Australian Republic ... only smart work, hard work and unrelenting advocacy will help make an Australian Republic."

Turnbull has a long history supporting a Australia's movement to become a Republic. Though his attendance may not be out of character, it has been branded controversial by monarchists.

"It is a provocative move because he's thumbing his nose in the eyes of the majority of Liberals who support a monarchy," chair of the Australian Monarchist League Phillip Benwell told the ABC.

ARM National Chair Peter FitzSimons said he was "absolutely thrilled" the Prime Minister attended the event.

"It is an occasion to honour those who've got us to this point, and the PM is, of course, at the forefront of our founding fathers and mothers," FitzSimons said.

"The dinner is also a moment for the ARM to outline its vision for the future. A vision in which Australia takes the lead and completes the journey to full and final independence."

During the address, Turnbull celebrated Australia's multiculturalism and called for constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people when thanking journalist Stan Grant for his Welcome to Country.

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