State and territory leaders have marked Australia Day by signing a declaration of support for an Australian head of state.
West Australian Premier Colin Barnett, the only non--signatory to what Australian Republican Movement chairman Peter Fitzsimons described as "a declaration of desired independence", is nonetheless a committed republican. Fitzsimons said the declaration showed that "all of Australia's political leaders now support an Australian head of state, including Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten". 
The declaration comes as domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty ends her period as Australian of the Year .
NSW finalist Elizabeth Brod-erick, the outgoing Sex Discrimination Com-missioner, is one candidate to succeed her.
Another, Victorian finalist barrister Julian McMahon, has fought strongly against the death penalty, most notably against the executions of Myuran Suku-maran and Andrew Chan in Indonesia last year.
Former RAAF group captain and army Lieutenant Colonel Catherine McGregor is the Queens-land finalist. Cate transitioned from Malcolm in 2012 and has helped create greater understanding and acceptance of the transgender community.
West Australian finalist Anne Carey worked on the frontline against the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone and South Australian nominee burns sur-geon John Greenwood treats 450 acute -patients each year.
Tasmanian conservationist Jane Hutchinson helped found the Tasmanian Land Conservancy in 2001 and former chief of army and chairman of the Diversity Council Australia David Morrison, from the ACT, is credited with a dramatic cultural shift in the armed forces after he told troops who didn't accept women as their equals to "get out".
Northern Territory finalist Will MacGregor is the founder of BushMob, which takes youth out bush to combat issues of addiction and mental health.Malcolm Turnbull will announce- the winners tonight.