ILL: 22 uep. vv'
PRIME MUIiSTER
TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEW WITH THE PRIME MNINSTER, THlE HION.
P. J. KEATING, M. P. SHELBOURNE HOTEL, DUIRLIN, IRELAND
SUNDAY 19 SEPTEMBER, 1993
PM: I was received in audience by her Majesty the Queen at Balmoral Castle
Yesterday and there is a long-standing convention that the contents of these
conversations remain confidential. But, I am able to say that I explained to
Her Majesty that, notwithstanding the deep respect and warm affection felt
towards her by the Australian people, there is a growing feeling that Australia
should make the necessary constitutional changes to allow the appointment of
an Australian Head of State. I said such a move was seen as weessary to
establish clearly Australia's identity as an independent nation.
1 outlined to Her Majesty the various steps that would be involved in such a
proceis including the need for a referendum to approve constitutional
amendments. I explained that the Australian Government's view was that if
approved by the Australian people at a referendum, it would be appropriate for
Australia to become a republic by the centenary of our Federation in the year
2001. 1 told Her Majesty that in such a situation Austraia would remain a
member of the Commonwealth of Nations and that the Australian people
would warmly welcome visits to Australia by Her Majesty as Head of the
Commonwealth, as Queen of the United Kingdom.
Her Majesty authoriscd me to say that she would, of course, act on the advice
of her Australian Ministers as she always has, and on any decision made by
the Australian people.
J: Prime Minister, how did the Queen take to being told by you that there was no
place for her ( inaudible) in Australia's future?
PM: Well. as said to you. I arn not breaking the convention of giving you details
of the conversation or its ambience except to say that the visit was a most
enjoyable one for Mrs Keating and 1. T'here was a most cordial atmosphere
there, and it was friendly and relaxed and I came away after a very nice
afternoon and evening with Her Majesty and her famnily.
20. Sep. 93 8: 05 No. 006 P. 04/ 05
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Prime Minister has the extension of Governor General Bill Hayden's term got
anything to do with your republican timetable?
PM: No, I'd spoken tv the Governor General briefly about this matter some time
ago and as this is a matter for Her Majesty's pleasure neither he, the Governor
General, nor I could then progress the matter without my first having had a
discussion with the Queen. And she's indicated to me that she is pleased by
the Governor General's proposed extension and hence we will now put the
procedures in place for the Governor General's term to be extended until early
in 1996.
J: Why do you want it extended?
PM: Well, I think that it's a matter that the Governor General seems to be very
broadly accepted by the Australian public and by both sides of Australian
politics and he has obviously both enjoyed and taken great interest in the
position. So, not unnaturally, I've said to him," Should you wish to extend I
should be pleased to raise this matter with Her Majesty." He said to me, " I
am," and so I dld.
J: By extending the term to 1996 though it does mean that if your timetable
comes to pass the next Governor General would be the last before the first
Australian Head of State.
PM: That would be so.
1: Mr Keating the Queen saying that she would act on the advice of the
Australian Ministers on any decision of the Australian people, is that the kind
of green light you were hoping to get?
PM Well, look, the statement's there, and it's there. It's there in print and I don't
want to amplify it.
J: On the subject of Bill Hayden's extension, did his warnings about the dangers
of certain models of a republic influence your thinking or did that make you
think twice or...( inaudible)...?
PM: The Governor General and I discussed this some time ago and it was then
simply a matter of me raising it. with the Queen, which I have. So nothing that
he's said in the last day, or week, in any way has influenced the decision.
J: What do you think of whathe said?
PM: Well, I think he thought he was taken out of context and then quickly went to
clear the context up.
TEL
TEL -3-
J: Did you ( inaudible)..?
PM I didn't read the full text.
J: When do you think the referendum will be held?
PM Well, that's again a matter for that's a matter for the Australian public and a
matter for debate in Australia. And that debate has already started, it will
obviously again revolve around the presentation of the report of the
Committee we've established and so no doubt in 1994 well see some, I think,
you know, some real reflections by all concerned in Australia upon the merits
of a republic and the modalities of such a change.
1: ( inaudible)... dangers ofa popularly elected President. I know that you told
the Turnbull Committee that you had a reservations about that. Are you
prepared to go public on those reservation3?
PM: Well I think that's probably a conversation for when rm at home. I did speak
to the Turnbull Committee about some of those matters but I think that's a
debate for another place and another time and I'm quite happy to have it then,
really.
PM: I have to go now.
I: Mr Keating, how would you describe the circumstances of the step taken at
Balmoral?
PM: I'm sorry, I have to go.
Ends. 20. Sep. 93 8: 05 No. 006 P. 05/ 05