Presenter:
The heir to the Murdoch empire, Lachlan Murdoch, has strongly supported the push for a republic. Claiming that if the referendum in November were defeated, it would be largely the fault of the Prime Minister John Howard. The young Murdoch has also praised the Treasurer Peter Costello, for his economic achievement and for his support of the republic.

Mr Murdoch, an American citizen who chooses to live in Australia, says the referendum is an historic opportunity for Australians to break from their colonial past. This report from our Washington correspondent Agnes Cusack.

Reporter:
Over a lunch of lamb shanks and mashed potatoes, Lachlan Murdoch, senior executive vice president of News Corporation, sang the praises of Treasurer Peter Costello to American business and media executives.

With self-assurance and a sense of humour, Mr Murdoch praised gains in the Australian economy in the nineties and expressed his hopes for an Australian to open the Olympic Games in the year 2000. The twenty-eight year old heir to the News Corp empire said while he was an American citizen, he considered himself more Australian than American.

He said in the past two years growth in the Australian economy had been stronger than America's and endorsed what he called Mr Costello's leadership role in the Asian financial crisis. The budding media magnate said with a strong economy, and a willingness to show leadership in the Asian region, Australia was ready for its next challenge, its republican revolution.

Lachlan Murdoch - News Corporation:
In just over a month, Australians will have a historic opportunity to take the courageous step to break from our colonial past, without bloodshed or loss of life. I can think of no more unremarkable proposition that an Australian should sit at the apex of the Australian system of government. The most remarkable aspect of the resident for president push, in Australia, is that it's taken a century to happen.

Reporter:
Lachlan Murdoch, in his first public comments on the republican debate, said the proposed changes were minimal and unthreatening. But unfortunately because of a lack of political will, he said the referendum may falter and pointed the finger at John Howard.

Murdoch:
If this bid for a republic fails, future historians may point the ambiguous wording of the referendum question or to the role that the Prime Minister - a staunch monarchist - has played in designing the referendum process. Perhaps, not surprisingly, the most senior government minister to support the republic has been the Treasurer Peter Costello.

That's the same individual who had the courage to drive through economic reform, has also found courage on this issue and in doing so, has again laid his leadership credentials in front of the Australian electorate.

Reporter:
Lachlan Murdoch heading back to Melbourne tomorrow for the grand final breakfast. No doubt there'll be a warm welcome from Peter Costello, who should be well pleased with the strong Murdoch endorsement of his leadership abilities.