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The Foundation for National Renewal |
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The Constitutional Convention of February 1998 |
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A missed opportunity for much-needed reform. |
| Introduction | Delegates | Proceedings | Summaries |
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TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS
Mr CLEM JONES- When I spoke yesterday I said that that would probably be my last speak. But I wanted to rise again today because I think it is very important that we should be quite clear on what we are doing this morning. I disagree with His Grace in relation to the wording of the motion. I think it is very important that the words `in principle' are in the motion. I would not like anybody to go away from here thinking that because we have given a majority vote to a particular type of republic, a particular model, it is that which is constraining us to vote for a republic. It certainly is not with me. That model is not the model that I want to see in the eventual republic. I would like to make reference to a couple of things that I think are important and that have not been discussed in much detail here today or in the last eight days. In making this decision, we are making a decision which leaves us with an enormous job to do. The people, I believe, have already said that we are going to have a republic so I have no hesitation in talking about what has to happen when we do decide on that matter. We have discussed a great number of issues here. In the first words I wrote in the paper we had to fill in for the nomination for election I said that this is a matter which cannot be considered in isolation- and it cannot be. We have discussed over the last nine days a number of issues. Some people have said that they are peripheral issues. I believe that all of them are important. They would not have been brought up here if they were not. That fact means that in the big job ahead there is a great deal of responsibility that has to be taken not only by the people of Australia but also by the government. It is essential that we go away from here knowing that everybody is committed to making sure that when we do have the republic it will be the republic we want.
Brigadier GARLAND- At present we have a Constitution which entrenches the Westminster system of government. I remind you again that that Westminster system of government gives us checks and balances and is based on three areas: the Crown, the legislature and the judiciary. We have been asked to pass a motion suggesting Australia should become a republic. If we pass that motion, if we vote for that proposal, we are voting for the death knell of the Australian Constitution and our Westminster system. I do not believe anybody in Australia is prepared to throw out the baby with the bathwater. I appeal to you: if you wish to retain our Westminster system vote against this motion.
Professor CRAVEN- I will be brief. I came to this chamber firmly intending to vote for this motion, as I had strongly supported one version of a republic. I listened to Archbishop Hollingworth's speech with considerable pain, and I find that he is right. I cannot vote for a principle of a republic without a model. If there is a model it is the ARM model, and that is a model that I cannot support. I intend to abstain from voting on that model in the next vote. Therefore, I am persuaded by Archbishop Hollingworth's speech that I must abstain from voting in this vote. I say that with considerable sadness but the logic, to me, seems compelling.
Mrs GALLUS- Since I was 15 I have wanted to see Australia as a truly independent nation and not with a head of an another country as its head of state. Today we came to this Convention in two broad camps: those of us who wanted a republic and those of us who did not. There have been accusations that the republicans were divided. But how could it have been otherwise? We all came with a goal but with different ways of getting to that goal. We have reached a solution. To some of us it is not our preferred solution; we would have preferred another. But to all of you who want a republic, do not let that stand in your way. Politics is the art of the possible. We lost our model, so let us get behind the model that did get up and make sure that Australia does become a republic. Senator BOSWELL- Today, the question that we are invited to answer is, in principle: do we want to become a republic? But, in effect, if we answer that in the affirmative, we are clearly voting for the Australian ARM model. I want to point out to the people that we have already heard from the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Kim Beazley, that he can fix it up if it is not quite right. We are going to be asked to vote for a model that 71 people at this Convention did not want and 74 people did want, so there is hardly conclusive evidence that there is a great majority for it. We are going to be asked to vote for a model that both the Leader of the Opposition and his former Attorney-General have told us has to be codified. We have also been told by the former Attorney-General, who is a prominent constitutional lawyer, that codification cannot really be achieved. He said that it would take 30 years and we would not even make a dent in it. But, somehow, since the former Attorney-General came to this Convention, he has had a road to Damascus conversion; he now thinks that we can codify, but he has not told us how we can do it. Ladies and gentlemen, if we vote for this resolution, we are signing a blank cheque on behalf of Australia. I think we all ought to listen very carefully to His Grace, Archbishop Hollingworth. We should realise that what we are voting for is in principle. I ask people not to be fooled by the symbols of this, but to have a hard-hearted look at the realities.
Ms PERIS-KNEEBONE- Fellow Australians, I want to introduce my brief talk with the word `luck'. What does the word `luck' mean? Luck is when you have two dice and you roll the dice. This country was not created by luck. All Australians created this magnificent country which we are fortunate to live in. In the last five years of my life in representing our country I have been to 29 countries around the world; there is no greater country in the world than Australia. Father Fleming said that becoming a republic is outright dangerous. A lot of people told me when I was eight years old that playing hockey was dangerous; I now have an Olympic gold medal. What are we afraid of? Do we tell our child, `Do not walk because you could fall over'? Let us let go of our mothers' hands. I urge all Australians to vote for a republic this afternoon. The way I am voting is for the way I would like to see my great-great-grandchildren live in this country- under one republic, under one country, where all Australians can get up at any time and say how they feel. I thought to myself yesterday afternoon, `Where the hell in the world would you see such a diverse group of Australians as those who have come here today to foresee how our country should be run?' I support this model which is being put forward to us this afternoon because it gives Australians of all diversities a fair say. There is nothing wrong with our political system- I have been to 29 countries- and the way that our government is run. I have nothing else to say except that I am a proud Australian. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN- The time has come for the question to be put:
That this Convention supports, in principle, Australia becoming a republic.
We will adopt precisely the same method that we did yesterday. You have your envelopes. You are invited to indicate with a tick or a cross whether you support the question, and then sign the voting slip.
Mr LOCKETT- I move:
That the motion not now be put.
Professor PATRICK O'BRIEN- I second the motion.
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN- Two minds of a like thought. I put the question:
That the motion not now be put.
It is narrowly lost!
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN- The bells have stopped ringing. Steve Vizard is here. We all welcome Patrick McNamara, the Deputy Premier of of Victoria. The question then is that the Convention supports, in principle, Australia becoming a republic. Would those in favour of the motion please rise or otherwise indicate so that the tellers can collect their ballot papers.
AN INTERJECTOR- Up the republic!
AN INTERJECTOR- Right up!
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN- Interjections during the voting procedure are highly disorderly.
Delegates submitted their ballot papers.
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN- Would all those against the proposition please indicate.
Delegates submitted their ballot papers.
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN- Would all those who want to abstain please indicate.
Delegates submitted their ballot papers.
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN- The result of the vote is yes 89; no 52; abstentions 11. Mr LOCKETT- Where's your 80 per cent of Australia, then?
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN- Order! It will be noted that that is 152 voting. Yesterday we had 151. The detailed results are as follows: Motion: That this Convention supports, in principle, Australia becoming a republic. Moved: The Reverend Tim Costello Seconded: Ms Mary Delahunty Motion put.
Delegates (89) who voted "yes":
Delegates (52) who voted "no":
Delegates (11) who abstained from voting:
Resolution agreed to. ·=============== Last updated: 21 October 2000 | |||
