The ARM and its supporters have promoted various models, including a parliamentary republic, and the organisation has branches active in all states and territories.

[2] Its first chairman was novelist Thomas Keneally, with other founding members including lawyer Malcolm Turnbull (later Prime Minister), former Australian cricket captain Ian Chappell, film director Fred Schepisi, and author, journalist, and radio and television presenter Peter FitzSimons.

[4][5] Arts and cultural leader Esther Anatolitis and management consultant Nathan Hansford were subsequently elected co-chairs.

[7] Nonetheless, the 1999 referendum was defeated due to a range of factors, including a lack of bi-partisanship and division among republicans on the method proposed for selection of the president.

Then-ARM Chair Peter FitzSimons argued against these criticisms, noting that the head of state's powers would be limited and they would be unable to dismiss a prime minister.