The Yes Committee Media Statement - 27 October 1999

Former PM Bob Hawke takes on monarchist lies about direct election in new Yes advertising blitz

Australians across the nation will be asked by former Prime Minister Bob Hawke not to be conned by monarchist lies that they will get another stab at the republic and will get to directly elect their president if they vote No.

Mr Hawke's major intervention into the republic referendum will be via four national television advertisements, which will be broadcast tonight for the Yes Committee.

The television advertisements appeal to Australians who want to directly elect their president, by urging them not to accept the No case lie that there will be another chance on direct election if the referendum in 10 days fails.

Mr Hawke makes it clear that No vote will kill the republic for years to come. He also makes it clear that the power of the Prime Minister in the republic is far less than today.

Mr Hawke was asked by the Yes Committee to make the advertisements because it believes he has widespread appeal across Australia. It considers that his experience as Australia's second longest serving Prime Minister will be relevant to Australians who will be voting on the republic next week.

The Yes Committee strategy to produce radio and television advertisements featuring Mr Hawke are part of efforts - stepped up this week, - to expose No case tactics. Those tactics are to hide the monarchy in the republic debate, and to lie to Australians by telling them that if they want to directly elect the president, they should vote No and they will get another chance later.

Other Yes Committee advertisements running at the moment feature another former Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser, businessman Steve Vizard, Senator Natasha Stott Despoja and actor Bryan Brown.

Mr Hawke's advertisements are the main counter to the monarchist lies about another referendum vote, which the Prime Minister, John Howard, has no intention of ever holding. Deputy Liberal Leader and Treasurer, Peter Costello has also ruled out another vote. The Opposition Leader Kim Beazley has indicated that it will be many, many years indeed before the republic is considered again if there is a No vote next week.

Mr Hawke's advertisements also point out that the republic to be voted on is far superior to the system we have today, and makes the point that if we vote No, the British monarchy will stay at the heart of our system of government as we enter the next century.

The advertisements featuring Mr Hawke were developed by Singelton Ogilvy & Mather Advertising for the Yes Committee.

Authorised by Malcolm Turnbull, YES Committee, 60 Park Street, Sydney NSW 2000