ARM Media Statement - 3 September 1999

Extreme No case claims an insult, says ARM

Republicans call on No leaders, including the PM, to disassociate themselves from Nazi and military coup claims

Linking replacement of the Queen with an Australian as Head of State with military coups, ethnic cleansing and the spectre of a Hitler-like figure seizing government in Australia is an insult to Australians and a sign of desperation by the monarchists.

The chairman of the Australian Republican Movement, Malcolm Turnbull, said today such extreme comments such as these were bizarre, irresponsible and offensive to most Australians who hoped the debate on replacing the Queen with an Australian would be vigorous, but honest.

Mr Turnbull said the claims were especially unworthy of some of the parliamentary representatives who are making them. He called on leaders of the No case, including the Prime Minister, to disassociate themselves from the recent extreme comments, or explain to Australians why they believe they are true.

"Australians need to ask why the monarchists are engaging in this sort of alarmist nonsense," Mr Turnbull said.

"They should also consider that a YES vote is supported by former Chief Justices, Sir Gerard Brennan and Sir Anthony Mason, former Governor General Sir Zelman Cowen and former Prime Ministers Fraser, Whitlam, Hawke and Keating, not to speak of the Treasurer Peter Costello, the Attorney General and the Premiers of five out of six States.

"Are we really to believe that all of these distinguished and experienced Australian leaders and jurists would support a constitutional reform which was dangerous? Whose opinion on the Constitution would you trust - Sir Zelman Cowen's or Tony Abbott's? Sir Anthony Mason or David Flint?"

"During the last few weeks, the Queen and the monarchy have been missing in action from any coherent debate by the No side," said Mr Turnbull. "The real issue is being avoided by them at all costs. And that is, is an Australian good enough to be Head of State of our own country?

"They want us to believe that the only thing standing between us and anarchy is the Queen. They should get with the times, recognise that Australians can be trusted to stand on our own two feet and stop trying to frighten people with constitutional fairytales."

"The No case campaign director flagged a few weeks ago that extremism would be part of the No campaign - sadly, this seems to have been put into action."

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