Australian Republican Movement - Corowa Outcomes, December 2001

Corowa 2001

Delegates at the Corowa Conference originally had five proposals to choose from. These were narrowed to three broadly similar ones before a compromise plan – the "Royal Hotel resolution”, named after the Corowa pub where it was finetuned – emerged. Drafted by “The Corowa Four” – constitutional lawyers Professor George Winterton, Dr Bede Harris and Dr Walter Phillips, together with journalist Bill Peach AM – and backed by the Australian Republican Movement, the process provided for a consultative plebiscite-based approach.

The Royal Hotel Resolution
The McGarvie-Hammond Proposal

Media reports:

7 Dec 2001	Greg Craven: Direct election disaster Last weekend's Corowa conference has ushered in a new phase in the republican debate. Our chances of becoming a republic in the short term were slim. They now seem nonexistent, writes Greg Craven in The Australian. more>

6 Dec 2001	Steady march to a republic Slow but sure. That is the message to the majority of Australians who would prefer Australia to be a republic.Editorial in the Courier Mail. more>

4 Dec 2001	A distant republic For all its charm, Corowa might seem a pretty long way from anywhere. Editorial, The Sydney Morning Herald. more>

4 Dec 2001	Greg Barns: If they build a republic, the people will follow Last weekend's highly successful Corowa conference that resolved a way forward for Australia to have its own head of state should provide republicans with a sense of cautious optimism, writes Greg Barns in The Australian. more>

3 Dec 2001	Republic split emerges A people's conference of 418 delegates has voted to kick-start moves to a republic by asking Australians a series of questions on the model they prefer before holding another referendum on the issue. By Mike Steketee, The Australian. more>

3 Dec 2001	Royal rebels ham it up Whenever republicans and defenders of the crown rub shoulders the sparks fly. In Spike, edited by Nick O'Malley, Sydney Moring Herald. more>

3 Dec 2001	New road to republic: it won't be fast A plebiscite and another constitutional convention should be held before Australians vote on any republican model, the Corowa People's Conference recommended yesterday. Article by Stephanie Peatling, smh.com.au more>

3 Dec 2001	'Royal Hotel Resolution' puts republic back on agenda More than 380 delegates at a conference on choosing an Australian head of state have voted for a plan known as the "Royal Hotel Resolution". more>

29 Nov 2001	Parliament can give us a short cut to a republic The Corowa conference should recommend the introduction of legislation to make the Governor-General our head of state, writes Robert Murray, smh.com.au more>

21 Nov 2001	You can be part of history Who wants to be a part of history, asks Mark Day in the Daily Telegraph. more>

16 Nov 2001	Republic back on drawing board The republican debate will be revived next month at the so-called birthplace of Federation, the NSW town of Corowa. Posted at news.com.au more>