Australia’s republican movement is rattled by second shock departure as boss calls it quits and drama sidetracks campaign to ditch the monarchy

The Australian Republican Movement is scrambling to find new leadership after Craig Foster joined Nova Peris in sensationally quitting their jobs as co-chairs in the wake of their public disagreement over the Gaza conflict.

Mr Foster told NewsWire he had informed ARM chief executive Isaac Jeffrey ‘several months ago’ about his intention to step down as a co-chair.

The former Socceroos star said ARM had been ‘conducting a search’ for his replacement for ‘some time’ since he informed them of his decision.

Taking to social media on Wednesday night, Mr Foster said he was now free to speak openly about his strong human rights advocacy.

‘I can speak out because of the position I am in and therefore, must,’ Mr Foster said.

‘The ARM is the most important cause for the future of Australia and I have known for some time that it would have to be protected from the ugliness and viciousness that championing human rights attracts.

News of Mr Foster’s resignation comes just one day after the shock announcement Nova Peris (pictured), a former gold medal Olympian, would be stepping down from the role

‘I’ve been very careful to keep the Australian Republic Movement national director appraised in recent months about the potential impact of my voice for human rights and planning has long been underway for a suitable replacement.

‘With the elections now underway, I am free to use my voice as I feel compelled to do.’

Mr Foster said he looked forward to seeing Australia become a republic in the future.

‘I’ll use my energy in the fight for innocent lives and be back, later, to help when required,’ he said.

‘Thank you to all our members. All my love, and we will get there.

‘What a glorious, unifying day for Australia that will be.’

News of Mr Foster’s resignation comes just one day after the shock announcement Ms Peris, a former gold medal Olympian, would be stepping down from the role.

It is understood a snap board election will be held within weeks to select the two new co-chairs by early July.

Ms Peris said her decision to step down was due to her belief Mr Foster’s decision to write to Football Australia, the International Federation of Association Football and the West Asian Football Federation asking them asking them to suspend Israel from an upcoming FIFA conference ‘had created division’.

Ms Peris said her decision to step down was due to her belief Mr Foster’s decision to write to Football Australia, the International Federation of Association Football and the West Asian Football Federation asking them asking them to suspend Israel from an upcoming FIFA conference ‘had created division’ (pictured, King Charles)

Mr Foster publicly posted a letter on Instagram that he sent to FIFA asking that they suspend Israel from FIFA Congress (pictured)

The former Socceroos star published his letter online, which explained that the International Court of Justice had deemed Israel’s actions as ‘plausible genocide’.

‘Every member of the football community and your governing body, Football Australia has a duty of care to do everything possible to stop genocide wherever, and whenever it occurs,’ he said.

But Ms Peris said his comments had created division within not only ARM but also across the country.

‘I feel that the position I have is to do what is right as a co-chair for the betterment of this country to unit Australians,’ she told Sky on Wednesday.

‘I think what Craig Foster has done has created division.

‘In our roles as co-chairs, our positions, we need to hold the utmost truth if we are to unite this country to a referendum for us to become a republic.

‘I was quite disappointment with his commentary and his reference to mass slaughter of innocent Palestinians.

‘We should be upholding truth and we should be upholding objective dialogue, rather than smear tactics and inaccurate language around genocide and apartheid.’

Ms Peris (pictured in Israel) said she would ‘always support’ ARM despite stepping down

Ms Peris said she would ‘always support’ ARM despite stepping down from her role as co-chair 14 months after she was appointed.

She had joined the movement after Mr Foster created male and female co-chairs as one of his first moves after replacing journalist and author Peter FitzSimons in November 2022.

On Wednesday, Mr Foster said he wished his former co-chair the best.

‘Wishing Nova the greatest success and my deepest thanks for her long and distinguished service to the Republic Movement,’ he wrote on social media. 

‘An incredible contribution. There can, however be no silence when a duty to protect other humans exists for us all. Including sport.’