ARM Media Statement - 29 October 1999

Republicans welcome Democrats and National Party members for a Yes republic vote

Republicans today welcomed statements by senior Democrats and National Party members and Members of Parliament calling on their fellow party members to Vote Yes for an Australian Head of State on November 6.

Sixteen of the nation's leading Democrats including all but a few of those elected to Parliaments around Australia signed a letter to all Democrat voters and members urging them to vote Yes because of the benefits the proposal on offer and as a next step for Australians wanting further constitutional change in the future.

Senior National Party members and MPs urging a vote Yes for a "stable republic" include The Hon Larry Anthony MP, Senator David Brownhill, former Deputy Prime Minister the Rt Hon Doug Anthony, The Hon Richard Bull MLC, Robert Webster and Wendy Machin.

"The model being put to the Australian people on November 6 is a safe and workable option for the move to a republic," said the open letter from the National Party senior members to National Party voters.

"Built on our existing practices, it is a minimalist approach that address the concerns of those who are opposed to sweeping change."

The Democrats letter, organised by Democrats Leader Senator Meg Lees and her deputy, Senator Natasha Stott Despoja, indicated that the proposal to be voted on in eight days "is safe and workable in the context of our Westminster parliamentary democracy.

"... Rather than silencing future debate on other issue, we believe a move to an Australian republic now will assist the process of further change. We urge you to vote YES to the republic... "

The Australian Republican Movement said all political parties across the political spectrum - including a very large element of the Liberal Party, including the Deputy Federal Leader Peter Costello and most State Liberal leaders, the Labor Party, most Democrats, National Party senior members and the Greens have backed a Yes vote.

This indicates that a Yes vote reaches across all political views and hues in this nation, and its result - an Australian Head of State - is endorsed by people from all political parties and is a safe, practical proposal which represents great progress, and is far, far superior than the arrangements we have today.

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