ARM Media Statement - 10 June 1999

We're on the way!

Republicans welcome laws which put Australia on the road to having a say on an Australian Head of State

Australia took another welcome step towards November's referendum on an Australian Head of State today following introduction by the Attorney General, Daryl Williams, of the Constitution Alteration (Establishment of Republic) Bill 1999 ("the Republic Bill") and the Presidential Nominations Committee Bill 1999 into the Federal Parliament.

The communications director of the Australian Republican Movement, Wayne Burns, said republicans welcomed the introduction of the legislation by the Attorney General as a concrete step towards giving Australians a say on whether they want an Australian citizen nominated and chosen by Australians, as Head of State.

"Although it is still a long way to November 6 when the referendum will be held," said Mr Burns, "these bill and the debate on them will focus the minds of many Australians on this important issue.

"It is also fitting that the bills enter the House of Representatives in the week we celebrate the birthday across Australia - except Western Australia - of our present Head of State, the Queen, a citizen of another country who does not live here, has never lived here and will never live among us.

"In many ways, celebrating the birthday of an absentee Head of State on a day that is not even her birthday illustrates further that our present constitutional arrangements are not appropriate for Australia today.

"And the introduction of these bills is the first concrete legislative action to put us on the road to a republic. This is indeed a reason for many Australians, who believe that one of us is good enough to be our Head of State, to celebrate this Queens Birthday long weekend."

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