James Packer donates $250,000 to Australian Republican Movement

Billionaire James Packer has donated $250,000 to the Australian Republican Movement, according to reports.

The Australian reports Mr Packer’s donation is understood to be the largest to the ARM since Malcolm Turnbull donated almost $3 million in 1999.

Mr Turnbull was the founding chairman of the group.

The ARM is currently chaired by Peter FitzSimons, who is calling for a plebiscite by 2020.

Mr Packer is understood to have donated $50,000 earlier this year with another $200,000 donation in recent months.

His father, Kerry, publically declared his support for a republic in 1995.

The gaming billionaire is joined by an assortment of other supporters including Joe Hockey, Ian Macfarlane, Ken Henry and Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce.