ARM
Media Statement - 26 August 1999
Only
one chance for the Republic
A
No vote in November will mean an English monarch as
Head of State for at least the next 20 years
The November 6 referendum is the last shot in the
locker for an Australian republic for at least the
next 20 years, the chair of the Australian Republican
Movement, Malcolm Turnbull said tonight.
Speaking to Yes supporters at an ARM dinner in Ashfield
in Sydney's inner-west tonight, Mr Turnbull said people
were seriously misguided if they believed another
referendum will be held in a few years if the Yes
vote fails.
"This
is the last shot at a republic this generation," said
Mr Turnbull, "because if for no other reason, it is
going to be almost impossible to justify spending
another $100 million plus on a referendum in the future
if this one fails."
Mr Turnbull said the hope of another referendum is
being held out by monarchists and other No campaigners
as a way of securing a No vote in November.
"Kerry
Jones and Peter Reith - unless they have awesome powers
about which none of us know - cannot possibly deliver
on guaranteeing the actions of future governments,
prime ministers or Senates by promising there will
be further referenda, especially when cost is such
a big consideration."
Mr Turnbull said that November 6 was the last opportunity
this generation for Australia to truly stand on its
own two feet by replacing the Queen of England with
an Australian, whose first and only allegiance is
to Australia, as Head of State.
"We
are very confident that Australians will vote Yes
to replace the Queen with an Australian in November.
If we do cast a vote of confidence in ourselves, we
can end the Australian Republican Movement on victorious
note.
"But
make no mistake, if the monarchists succeed in November,
the next chance we will get to revisit this issue
will be at least 15 to 20 years, and we can be sure
that Australia's next Head of State will be Charles
III, King of Great Britain and Northern Ireland."
Authorised by Malcolm Turnbull, Australian
Republican Movement, 60 Park Street, Sydney NSW 2000
