Legislative Council
May 27 1998
Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. M.J. Elliott:
1. That Australia should become a Republic with an Australian
citizen as Head of State; and
2. That the concurrence of the House of Assembly to this motion
be requested.
(Continued from 18 March. Page 547.)
The Hon. J.F. STEFANI: In speaking in support of this motion
I propose to move some amendments which will seek to recognise the work
of the Federal Liberal Government in organising the Constitutional Convention
and which will also reflect more accurately the position and the decisions
taken by the convention in relation to the referendum which will be held
in 1999. My proposed amendments will also define that if the referendum
is supported by the required majority of Aus-tralian people then Australia
will become a republic with an Australian citizen as the head of State.
I endorse the comments made at the Constitutional Convention by the Premier
of South Australia, the Hon. John Olsen, when he said, `An Australian republic
is our future.' The Premier also said that as a symbol of our maturity
it was important for Australia to approach the issue of becoming a republic
by giving careful consideration to the new structure and its operation.
We all accept that the present system of monarchy has served
Australia well. However, as a nation Australia has come of age. Today Australia
is a proud nation, capable of being independent. We are a nation of great
diversity, with different values and many different economic objectives.
Australia is a multicultural nation, which has built its future upon the
strong foundations laid for us by Great Britain. In offering congratulations
to the Federal Liberal Government for organising the Constitutional Convention,
and in particu-lar to the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon. John Howard,
I would point out that it was the Liberal Party that promised to the people
of Australia before the next election that the issue of Australia's becoming
a republic would be dealt with by holding a constitutional convention.
It is our Federal Liberal Government that has promised to hold a referendum
on this issue before the end of 1999, if it is returned at the next election.
It is also important to underline that as a Party the Liberal Party of
Australia allowed a conscience vote on this issue. I am proud that the
Liberal Party has shown great maturity by allowing people to exercise a
free and open vote on this important matter.
The Constitutional Convention was a unique event, because it
brought together so many people from different backgrounds, with a diversity
of views and with different contributions. It was a moment in our history
which will long be remembered, particularly by all those who attended and
participated in the convention. Despite the differing views expressed with
great enthusiasm and enormous passion by the delegates of the convention,
the most important feature which emerged was the integrity of the whole
debate. That is the reason why the Constitutional Convention was so successful,
as it captured the imagination of many Australians with a range of diverse
views yet united the delegates in a common cause, that is, the things that
are important to us as a nation: our democracy and freedom. I take this
opportunity to pay a special tribute to the contributions made at the convention
by the representatives of the first Australiansóthe indigenous peopleóas
I believe they occupy a very special place in our community.
In summary, the convention decided that the President, who must
be an Australian citizen, is to be appointed by a two-thirds majority of
Parliament after a recommendation by the Prime Minister, with the support
of the Leader of the Opposition. A short-list of candidates is to be presented
to the Prime Minister by a committee comprising representatives from Parliament
and the community. That committee is to draw its short-list from nominations
received from the public, community groups and the three tiers of Government.
The Prime Minister alone will have the power to remove a President from
office; however, such decisions must be ratified by the Lower House within
30 days. In the event that that dismissal of the President is rejected
by the Lower House, then such a rejection would constitute a vote of no
confidence in the Prime Minister.
The convention also decided that the President's powers would
be similar to those of the Governor-General. Our status as a Commonwealth
republic would not affect the States, which would still be responsible
for the title, role, powers, appointment and dismissal of their respective
heads of State. Australia would retain the name `Commonwealth of Australia'
and remain a member of the Commonwealth of nations. Finally, a new preamble
to the constitution is to include reference to Australia's original inhabitants,
the affirmation of the equality of all people before the law, recognition
of gender equality and recognition of Australia's cultural diversity. I
move:
Paragraph IóLeave out all words after `That' and insert the following:
`this Council congratulates the Federal Liberal Government for
organising the Constitutional Convention;
II. That following a referendum to be held in 1999 and, if passed
by the required majority, this Council is of the opinion that Australia
should become a republic with an Australian citizen as Head of State; and'.
The Hon. CAROLYN PICKLES secured the adjourn-ment of the debate.