ARM Media Statement - 28 October 1999

Prime Minister John Howard must 'fess up' to the truth on his support for a future referendum on direct election if Australians Vote No

The Prime Minister today accused the ARM chairman Malcolm Turnbull of distorting his position that he will not put a referendum on direct election to the people if the November 6 poll fails.

In fact, Mr Howard has sought to deliberately obfuscate his stated position on whether he would support and give the green light to a referendum on direct election if a No vote succeeds. He does this by selectively quoting himself on Melbourne radio yesterday. The Prime Minister claims in today's statement that Mr Turnbull distorted his words. He reproduced his quote on Melbourne radio:

"I cannot see the thing coming back in a hurry..."

The Prime Minister said Mr Turnbull's statement that this represented the PM not foreseeing any future referenda on the republic, was a distortion. However, Prime Minister curiously omitted in his statement his additional comments made in the very same interview:

"... But you know, equally on the other side I can't see if it goes down, I can't see the thing being ... I don't envisage it coming back quickly."

Mr Howard must decide what it is to be. He has said he is vehemently and totally opposed to direct election of the Head of State. So, instead of mincing words he must tell the people, clearly, concisely and without subterfuge: While he is Prime Minister, will he put a referendum to the people on direct election of the President if the November 6 referendum fails? Yes or No?

This is a key issue. The whole basis of the No campaign is to tell people who want direct election to vote No, because they will get a chance to vote on direct election at another referendum soon after. The whole No case advertising is rooted in this.

Indeed, over the weekend during the nationally televised Deliberative Poll in Canberra, Australians For Constitutional Monarchy director Kerry Jones used the Prime Minister's alleged support for a direct election referendum if the No vote fails as proof that voters will get a second chance:

"... And I've got a statement here from the Prime Minister that clearly says, if the Australian people vote No in November, there's nothing to stop another referendum from emerging."

Yes Prime Minister?

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