Hi everyone, Thought you might be interested in this latest press release from the Qld (Labor) Premier about the preamble. Regards Susan . >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: Qld. Media statement - Premier urges all Republicans to back >Howard in Referendum >Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 08:26:06 +1000 > >Premier, HON. PETER BEATTIE > >21/2/99 > > >Premier urges all Republicans to back Howard in Referendum > >Queensland Premier Peter Beattie is throwing his support squarely in >favour of the Howard model for an Australian republic. > >Speaking from London, Mr Beattie said the referendum question, as put by >Mr Howard, offered fairness and simplicity. > >"What we need now is leadership and not division," Mr Beattie said. > >"Either we all get firmly behind the sort of republic offered by this >referendum or the chance could be lost for at least another generation. > >"Everyone knows I spoke out for the direct election of a president at last >year's constitutional convention. I still favour that process. > >"But it is no longer on the agenda at this referendum. It was defeated. > >"Now Mr Howard has produced what is a very reasonable recipe for the >creation of an Australian republic. > >"Mr Howard is not prepared to lead from the front because he is in favour >of retaining the monarchy. > >"But because the model is workable and reasonable, I believe it is >important for someone to take the initiative and provide the leadership >necessary to rally republicans behind the 'yes' vote. > >"The model ensures the presidency will be a position above politics. All >Australians will be able to look up to our head of state with pride. > >"Such a president can provide something we lack in this country - a >unifying national symbol. > >"So I urge people - especially politicians - not to oppose for the sake of >opposing. It's not the Australian way. > >"The 'yes' case includes nominations from the public with a recommendation >from the Prime Minister supported by the Opposition Leader to ensure >bi-partisanship." > >Mr Beattie said he strongly supported transferring the current powers and >conventions applying to the Governor-General to the new office of the >president. > >"This avoids the problems of codification while preserving the essence of >our current system. > >"I call on other leaders to join me in supporting the 'yes' case to urge >all republicans to rise to the challenge so Australia can start the new >millennium as a proud, independent republic." > > >Contact: Steve Bishop 0416 107 950 > > Susan Forde School of Film, Media and Cultural Studies Griffith University QLD 4111 ph +61 7 3875 7229 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------------------------------- RecOzNet2 has a page @ http://www.green.net.au/recoznet2 To unsubscribe from this list, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED], and in the body of the message, include the words: unsubscribe announce or click here mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20announce This posting is provided to the individual members of this group without permission from the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship and research under the "fair use" provisions of the Federal copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner, except for "fair use."
