ARM Media Statement - 18 January 1999

Republicans confident of successful referendum

The Australian Republican Movement today rejected suggestions that the November Republic Referendum will fail because it will be opposed by some Cabinet Ministers.

The Chair of the Australian Republican Movement, Malcolm Turnbull, said more Cabinet Ministers and Coalition Government Members now supported having an Australian instead of a foreigner as our Head of State, than following the Constitutional Convention in February last year.

"There is obviously a variety of views within the Coalition Government about the Republic, but support within the Government for an Australian Head of State has been growing over the past 12 months.

"It is important for people to realise that the decision for Australians to face the millennium with one of our own as Head of State will be made not only by the Government, but by the Australian people themselves" Mr Turnbull said.

"Comments yesterday by junior Employment Minister Tony Abbott that Cabinet did not consider the Head of State Issue to be important, were not only unfortunate but misinformed, as media reports today will confirm.

"While Tony Abbottt has a role to play in this debate, his position as a former Executive Director of Australians for Constitutional Monarchy really do disqualify him from making objective statements on behalf of the Howard Government" said Mr Turnbull.

Mr Turnbull said, "The Australian Republican Movement will continue discussion over the next few months to muster the support and resources of all groups in the community which support an Australian as Head of State.

"These efforts include national gatherings of Republicans on January 25 and 26 to kick off a declaration of action or republicans nationwide.

"As well as street parades and public meetings, the coordinated series of national events includes the launch of a declaration of principles to guide the pro-republican campaign at the Sydney Opera House at lunchtime on January 25" Mr Turnbull said.

Republicans will also meet with coalition cabinet members including the Attorney General, Mr Williams and leading Opposition, Democrat and Independent representatives during the next few weeks.

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