ARM Media Statement - 5 February 1999

Newspoll Survey Shows Strong Support for Republic Referendum Yes Vote

Republicans are encouraged by a new poll which indicates that if the referendum had been held last weekend, it would have been carried by a substantial majority of just under 60%.

"Australians understand that the question is whether or not we have an Australian Head of State for the new century. And their answer is overwhelming YES." ARM Chairman Malcolm Turnbull said.

The Newspoll survey was conducted between 29 and 31 January 1999 with a sample of 1200 respondents aged 18 and over. It indicated:

• 59% are in favour of replacing the Queen with an Australian citizen as our Head of State, having the same duties and powers as the current Governor General, and otherwise leaving our system of Government unchanged (33% against)

• 71% are opposed to a politician being Australia's Head of State (19% in favour)

• 59% intend to vote YES in the referendum later this year to amend the Constitution to replace the Queen with an Australian Head of State chosen by a two-thirds majority of Parliament with the support of both sides of politics (31% intend to vote No)

56% of respondents were against the prospect of changing our system of government to one like the United States with a directly elected President. (41.6% strongly against). 32% were in favour (16% strongly in favour.).

A majority of Coalition (52%), ALP (72%), Democrat and Green (72%) voters all support a Yes vote in the referendum.

"This poll is both an encouragement to republicans and a reality check for those predicting disaster for the referendum. One year from the Convention, it is clear that the model has considerable support and that most Australians will vote YES in the referendum." ARM Chairman Malcolm Turnbull said.

"The Convention model for amending the Constitution, which will be presented to the people in November, ensures that our Head of State will not be a politician. If our Head of State were to be elected directly, he or she would inevitably be a politician, nominated and backed by one of the major political parties. The poll indicates a massive majority of Australians are opposed to a political Head of State." said Mr Turnbull.

The poll also tested public reaction to the prospect of changing the Australian system of government to one similar the United States with a directly elected President. 56% of respondents were against such a change.

"These figures demonstrate that despite the recent efforts to distract Australians from the task at hand, support for the republic is strong. It underlines that Australians favour the Convention model which ensures:

• an Australian citizen as Head of State replacing the Queen,

• our Head of State not being a politician, and

• our system of parliamentary government being otherwise unchanged".

"Direct election is attractive only until people reflect that it will inevitably result in a political President and radical change to our system of parliamentary democracy," Mr Turnbull said.

The Newspoll also showed that a majority of Coalition (52%), ALP (72%), Democrat and Green (72%) voters all support a Yes vote in the referendum.

Authorised by Malcolm Turnbull, Australian Republican Movement, 60 Park Street, Sydney NSW 2000