What a pleasant surprise coming from Tony Abbott. Messages commending
him for his stance on this can be sent to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Frank Brennan is also working on the preamble but using the words 'prior
and continuing occupation'. --- Trudy
============================================================
THE SUNDAY AGE
Sunday 7 February 1999
Republic splits top Liberals
By MICHAEL GORDON
NATIONAL EDITOR
The split within the Federal Government over this
year's republic referendum has widened with the
coalition's leading monarchist, Mr Tony Abbott,
backing recognition of Aboriginal Australia in the
Constitution.
Mr Abbott, the Employment Services Minister, has
strongly supported a second referendum question to
insert a new constitutional preamble, acknowledging
indigenous Australians as the nation's original
inhabitants.
The Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, appears
certain to back the second question, which is opposed
by the Treasurer, Mr Peter Costello, and the Finance
Minister, Mr John Fahey, on the grounds it will
reduce the prospect of the republic being endorsed.
Mr Costello argued last month that the greater the
number of issues that were put into the referendum,
the greater the number of opponents there would be.
He has told colleagues that once the republic question
is resolved, the issue of the preamble should be
addressed. Mr Howard has rejected this, saying the
public is capable of examining many issues at once.
Mr Abbott said the proposed change to the preamble
would ensure that Australians had something to
celebrate, irrespective of how the republic question
was resolved.
The case for a new preamble will be pushed today by
the Jesuit priest and indigenous rights campaigner
Father Frank Brennan at a republic convention in
Canberra. It already has the support of the minister
assisting the Prime Minister on reconciliation, Mr
Philip Ruddock.
Rest of article can be read at:
http://www.theage.com.au/daily/990207/news/news1.html
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