ARM Media Statement - 27 October 1999

No case lie exposed at last! No chance, no way for direct election referendum if voters vote No

The No case against the republic and its major claim that Australians will get a another chance to vote on the republic if they Vote No on November 6 is in tatters tonight, following the Prime Minister's statement today that he is totally opposed to direct election, and that he would not put a direct election to the people if a No vote succeeded.

The No case's whole strategy to date - other than telling lies about Australia's membership of the Commonwealth, the flag, cost and the eligibility of veterans for presidential- has been based on conning Australians that if they Vote No against this republic, they will get another stab at a direct election referendum soon.

Mr Howard's comments, which categorically shut the gate on any other chance, come:

• on top of Treasurer Peter Costello's comments recently which also rule out a direct election referendum;

• following comments by the Opposition Leader, Kim Beazley, that if the No vote succeeds, it will be many, many years before another referendum will ever be held;

• after comments last week by arch monarchist Senator Nick Minchin that this is the last referendum on the issue, and that a No vote will mean the end of the road for the republic.

The chairman of the Australian Republican Movement, Malcolm Turnbull, said the Prime Minister's comments prove to Australians that there is no substance at all in the No case claim that people can vote No and get another chance at a direct elected president later on.

"The Prime Minister has made it clear that No means No change, means No more referenda, means the end of the issue and the continuation of the monarchy," said Mr Turnbull. "The monarchist's biggest lie has been exposed for what it is - an opportunistic hoax, and a ploy to try and trick Australians into voting No in the hope that they will get another chance, when they will not."

The No campaign must now face the people and tell them the truth - a No vote closes off the chance for any republic, does not offer any hope for people preferring direct election and means King Charles III will be our next Head of State. End of story.

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