30 August 1999

Coalition warhorses back in harness for the republic. Old political stagers Malcolm Fraser and Doug Anthony yesterday rejoined forces in a new cause - to counter scares against the republic by monarchists.

29 August 1999

With the Monarchists continuing to bring red herrings into the republican debate, rather than actually deal with the issues, the ARM's Deputy Chair, Ms Wendy Machin, challenged advocates of a "No" vote to explain why "Australians why we are not good enough for the office of Head of State". Read the full media release.

Meanwhile earlier today, former Liberal Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser, talked about the republic and the strengths of the republican model going to referendum with Laurie Oakes on Channel Nine's Sunday program.

26 August 1999

The chairman of the Australian Republican Movement, Mr Malcolm Turnbull, has warned that "the November 6 referendum is the last shot in the locker for an Australian republic for at least the next 20 years". Mr Turnbull also said that, win or lose, the ARM would be disbanded the day after the November 6 referendum. Read the media release.

25 August 1999

Malcolm Turnbull chats to tertiary students online and answers questions regarding the republic.

23 August 1999

Kim Beazley dismissed monarchist scaremongering about the Australian Flag and gave his view on what should be on our coins if Australians vote to replace the Queen with an Australian Head of State in November.

22 August 1999

Attorney General, Daryl Williams, today strongly advocated a yes vote in the forthcoming republican referendum to the Constitutional Centenary Foundation's Youth Launch im Melbourne today. Read his full address.

Meanwhile, Bryan Brown, Thomas Kenneally and Billy Thorpe lead the republican charge on the way to the top of Mt Kosciuszko.

19 August 1999

Peter Costello has highlighted the inconsistency in Prime Minister John Howard's position to support the monarchy but then oppose the Queen opening the Sydney Olympic Games. Mr Costello said the fact that most Australians would feel uncomfortable about the Queen opening the Olympics was proof the country needed to become a republic.

"If there is uncomfortableness with our head of state... performing the duties of the head of state... you need to ask whether or not that symbolism is appropriate, still has the capacity to carry us forward and to nourish and personify the symbols we hold dear," Mr Costello said.

Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh has thrown his support behind the republic, saying in a Sixty Minutes interview to be screened on 29th August that he holds republican sentiments and that he hoped Australians backed the change. "If we go to a republic, that would be great," Waugh said.

Steve Waugh's deputy Shane Warne has also joined the YES camp and will actively campaign, cricketing commitments notwithstanding, for the YES vote in November's referendum.

14 August 1999

Former Chief Justice of the High Court Sir Gerard Brennan AC KBE comes out in favour of the YES vote at November's referendum.

12 August 1999

Another historic day in the republic debate in Australia, with both Houses of Parliament passing the Constitution Alteration (Establishment of Republic) Bill 1999 which will enable the republic referendum to proceed on Saturday 6 November! Some minor technical changes were made provisions in the Bill to deal with issues raised during the Parliamentary Committee hearings, but overall the Bill generally reflects the recommendations of the 1998 Constitutional Convention. The question which will appear on the ballot paper on 6 November is:

Do you approve of a Proposed Law to alter the Constitution to establish the Commonwealth of Australia as a republic with the Queen and Governor-General being replaced by a President appointed by a two-thirds majority of the members of the Commonwealth Parliament?

Our campaign will now begin across Australia to secure the YES vote in all States and Territories. Join us in making history!

1 August 1999

Malcolm Turnbull argues the case for the Westminster Republic at Corowa, the birthplace of Australia's Federation. Read the full speech.