Foundation for National Renewal
  The Constitutional Convention of February 1998

CANDIDATE STATEMENTS for the AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Groups

AUSTRALIAN REPUBLICAN MOVEMENT
Thanks to the courage and hard work of Australians, this is the best country in the world.
So why can’t an Australian be our Head of State?
We deserve a Head of State who is proud to be Australian.
We deserve a Head of State who is one of us.
WITHEFORD, Anne (107)
Growing up in Canberra, you see Australia grow. It’s nearly 100 years since Federation, that’s long enough to wait for our own Head of State.
CASSIDY, Frank (113)
Father of five, Journalist, Canberra resident for 26 years, formerly Secretary of the National Australia Day Council. I am committed to a strong, independent Australia.

A JUST REPUBLIC
DRECHSLER, Geoff (110)
MATHEWS, David (114)
The Republic debate is an important opportunity to define Australia as a fair, just and ecologically sustainable nation into the twenty-first century. We cannot afford either our current monarchist Constitution or a "minimalist" republic.
We support:

• A President directly elected by the Australian people with codified powers.
• A Preamble that affirms our democratic freedoms, multicultural society and recognition of and reconciliation with indigenous Australians.
• A Bill of Rights.
• Ongoing constitutional modernisation after 2001.

Please support Geoff Drechsler, a union industrial officer, and David Matthews, a prominent youth activist. Contact us on 249-1290.

CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY-AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
COZADINOS, Alex (106)
CRAIG, Terry (104)
We believe the Australian Constitution must acknowledge, as foundational, the nation’s reliance on Almighty God who is the source of all legal authority. This is clearly stated in the preamble to the Constitution. The Constitutional Monarchy has served us well in protecting our God-given freedoms and blessing our nation. We support constitutional changes that will provide for the exercise of godly government, continuing controls on the powers of government, and freedom for all Australians, particularly families, to have control of their future. A vote for us is a vote for godly government by the people and for the people.

NO REPUBLIC - ACM
FITZGERALD, Alan (101)
MACKERRAS, Malcolm (109)
Alan Fitzgerald BA (ANU) author and journalist, Editor, Australian National Review, Chairman, Australians for Constitutional Monarchy ACT.
Malcolm Mackerras BEc (Syd) political analyst, writer, broadcaster, author on Australian Politics, Senior Lecturer in Politics, Australian Defence Force Academy.
There is no need to change the existing Constitution which works well. The Governor-General is Australia’s Constitutional Head of State and is recognised as such abroad. He, and he alone, exercises the power vested in the Office by the Constitution. The Queen’s role is purely symbolic. A President and republic would fundamentally change our system of government and its checks and balances.

"ALTERNATIVE THREE"
RIGG, Andrew (115)
WILLIAMS, Barry (111)
The Constitution shall belong to the people, and be retained as amended by the people, placing Politicians, Government and Courts under effective people’s control.
A body of elected citizens be set up to enforce the rules that limit government as entrenched in the Constitution.
The people only, (not politicians) shall have constitutional right to put forward amendments to the Constitution.
The amended Constitution shall include all the principles of common law that the people trust in to maintain their freedom.
Following the amendments, the redrafted Constitution shall go to referendum.
The above principles are essential to restore Australia’s prosperity.

ACT GREENS
TITO, Fiona (103)
RATTENBURY, Shane (102)
ACT Greens strongly support a republic and ongoing constitutional reform, including:

• protection of Australia’s environment;
• recognition of prior occupation by indigenous people;
• guaranteed proportional representation;
• a Bill of Rights and Responsibilities;
• removal of the Commonwealth’s power to override ACT Legislation.

Fiona Tito, 41, is a self-employed mother of two from Wanniassa. Fiona is a legal adviser with expertise in health and disability issues.
Shane Rattenbury, 26, is a public servant experienced in environment and government law and lives in Macquarie. Shane represents a strong youth voice and has represented Australia in sport.
Contact: phone 6247 6305; email: party@effect.net.au

Ungrouped candidates

MOLONY, John Neylon (112)
REPUBLIC OF THE FREE
The free people of the Australian Commonwealth must be trusted.
They will elect their own President to represent an independent Australia at home and abroad.
Their President will not rival the powers of Parliament but fulfil them at their highest level.
To this end I will do my utmost.

TODD, Robert (108)
INDEPENDENT
I support a Republic, but not at any price.
Equivalent change in all States, and the manner of Presidential appointment, are crucial issues.
Much more is involved than changing to an Australian Head of State. Yet change must be no more than is absolutely necessary, and must promote national unity.

DUNN, Martin (100)
A MODERATE ALTERNATIVE
Australia’s future does not depend fundamentally on being a republic or monarchy. We need sensible options for both which the people can choose between in referendum.
The Constitutional Convention should address:

• A "bill of rights"
• Division of powers between Commonwealth and States
• Protecting the electoral system from abuse

and more.

PROUNDFOOT, Alex (105)
A REPUBLIC, WITH AN ELECTED PRESIDENT
I favour a republic with an Australian citizen president elected by the People.
At the referendum, we need to focus on the central aspects. The referendum should only put proposals relating specifically to the republic question. Other things can come later.
If elected, I promise to work for the above.

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Last updated: 26 October 2000