FOR A REPUBLIC IN his first interview after becoming Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull said: "the republic issue cannot belong to a politician; it's got to be a genuine popular movement." And he would know, having led the republican referendum campaign in 1999.
As a former chair of the Australian Republican Movement, the PM would also be aware of the important role political leadership can play in generating the momentum to achieve historic change. 
Paul Keating was the champion last time around. If he had still been PM at the time of the last referendum, Australia may well be a republic today. In a moment of poetic justice, Malcolm Turnbull can pick up the baton for a cause that he all but bled for 16 years ago.
In this sense, there is no need to choose between a "top down" or "bottom up" approach in making the case for an Australian head of state. It has to be both, as it was last time around.
And that is why it is so significant that this Australia Day, the state and territory leaders of Australia have come together to register their support for an Australian republic.
In a signed declaration released yesterday, all but one affirmed "we, the undersigned Premiers and Chief Ministers of Australia, believe that Australia should have an Australian as head of state." While West Australian Premier Colin Barnett declined to sign the declaration, he is a self-identified republican who advocated for the Yes campaign in 1999.
If there was any doubt, it is now clear that there is political consensus on the question of an Australian republic. The challenge set by the PM is to extend this consensus to the broader community.
In a recent poll on the topic, 51 per cent of voters support making the move when Prince Charles becomes King. Another 22 per cent are undecided while 27 per cent would be opposed to an Australian republic under this scenario.
This Australia Day, the ARM accepts the PM's challenge to create a genuine popular movement. We've kicked off with a petition at change.org/ausrepublic - asking Australians to join with their state and territory leaders to declare their support for an Australian head of state.
Now many Australians will rightly ask why this change?
The truth is that, just as Australia Day means different things to different Australians, so too are there many reasons. For some, it may be the fundamental injustice of hereditary rule, for others, a desire to finally complete the journey toward full independence.
The reality is that if we were deciding today, there is no way that we would accept someone else's King or Queen in our highest office. Australia's head of state is not a citizen, has never lived here, and doesn't back us on the world stage.
Our nation deserves a figurehead who hurts when we hurt, cheers when we win and always puts Australia first.
As to the question of timing, very often we don't choose the moment, the moment chooses us. Across a fractured political landscape, an Australian republic shines as a rare beacon of consensus and potential co-operation. Such opportunities must not be wasted.
Yes, there are plenty of pressing issues competing for our attention. Just imagine for a moment, if this excuse had prevailed when the push was on to adopt our own national anthem, or abandon the UK Privy Council as Australia's highest court of law. What a different, diminished country we would live in.
At every stage of Australia's history, there have been men and women who have taken the view that our evolving national identity deserves to be recognised in the institutions and symbols that define us. We are better off for it.
This Australia Day, the ARM calls on all Australians to add their voice to the campaign for an Australian republic with one of our own as head of state.TIM MAYFIELD IS NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE AUSTRALIAN REPUBLICAN MOVEMENT