Fed: ARM wants republic plebescite at next election
CANBERRA, April 11 AAP - Australia's Republican Movement today called for a plebisciteon a republic to be included in a referendum on parliamentary terms at the next federalelection.
Prime Minister John Howard yesterday suggested a referendum to extend parliamentaryterms could be held in conjunction with the next election if there was enough public interest.
Australian Republican Movement (ARM) chairman Greg Barns said he would speak with thefederal government and opposition about attaching a non-binding plebiscite to a referendumto extend parliamentary terms from three years to four and senators' terms from six yearsto eight.
Mr Barns said the proposed plebiscite would ask two questions.
"One is do you or do you not want Australia to become a republic," he said.
"And the second question would be which of the following models do you prefer."
Mr Barns said three models for a republic would be presented, an ultra-minimalist model,direct election of a president and parliamentary selection.
"The details need to be worked out later," he said.
"It's a proposition we're floating today rather than firmly committing to it."
Mr Barns said a non-binding plebiscite would tell the parliament and community if Australiawanted a republic and give them a preferred model to further explore.
"It's unlike a referendum which of course changes the constitution. This is a plebiscite,it's non binding," he said.
"Then you could start working towards a formal referendum.
"It's cost effective because you're holding it at the same time as a federal election."
Mr Barns said every opinion poll since 1993 had indicated Australians wanted a republic.
"What the people voted against in 1999 was a particular model," he said.
"So this is actually putting the matter back on the agenda by giving people a choiceof models and telling the parliament they do actually want a republic."
AAP sm/daw/cjh/de
KEYWORD: REPUBLIC
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