Vaile backs new vote on republic

By Matt Price, Scott Emerson and Sarah Bryden-Brown
The Australian, 30 July 2001

The Howard Government should be open to holding another republic referendum in its third term, deputy National Party leader Mark Vaile has declared.

Mr Vaile's support for a referendum, boosting former National Party leader Tim Fischer's release of a blueprint for constitutional reform, has delighted pro-republic groups seeking support in regional Australia for moves to constitutional change.

Mr Vaile said the Government should consider holding another republic referendum if there was "a groundswell" of public support.

"That may well happen in the next parliament and if that happens, well I'm happy to support it going ahead," the Trade Minister told The Australian.

"It's certainly a possibility -- it's something you would never rule out."

Mr Vaile's support followed the release of Mr Fischer's two-pronged plan for a "wattle republic", centring on two options -- labelled green and gold -- proposing a series of plebiscites to gain grassroot support for constitutional change.

The Fischer plan, described by Treasurer Peter Costello as "very significant", has been welcomed by senior republicans.

"Tim Fischer is an icon in many parts of regional Australia, and his plan makes it easier for other National Party republicans, such as John Anderson, to be more forthright on the issue," Australian Republican Movement chairman Greg Barns said yesterday.

"We need to reach out to regional Australia and win the debate in the bush."

While Prime Minister John Howard remains resistant to change, Mr Costello praised Mr Fischer's intervention.

"I think the fact that he's made a very significant contribution, that he's indicated his thinking on this is developing, is a very significant intervention," the Treasurer said.

But Mr Fischer's pro-republic stance drew criticism from other National Party colleagues, including Queensland MP De-Anne Kelly, who called on him to apologise.

"I think he's got attention deficit syndrome, unfortunately. It pains me to say that, but I think that's the case," Mrs Kelly said outside the Queensland Nationals' annual conference.

"He should apologise. He's throwing a bit of dynamite into the campaign."

Mr Fischer said Mrs Kelly probably meant "relevance deprivation syndrome".

The retiring former leader said yesterday he would not apologise, but admitted the republic would probably be "a low-priority issue" in the election campaign.

Former Labor minister and ARM deputy chairwoman Susan Ryan praised Mr Fischer for speaking out, and called on the ALP to boost its support for constitutional change.

"I would like to see my own party, the Labor Party, have a more robust and purposeful republican agenda than has so far been revealed," Ms Ryan said.

"The whole package needs a lot more discussion. Tim has obviously put a lot of thought into his proposals -- they're not off the top of his head."