PRIME MINISTER 109/ 93
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME NINISTER, THE RON P. J. KEATING HP
REPORT OF THE REPUBLIC ADVISORY COMM4ITTEE
I met with the Republic Advisory Committee this morning
to receive its report " An Australian Republic the
Options". The report is based on extensive consultations
thoroughout Australia. It is substantial, thorough and
professional and will provide an excellent basis for
public debate.
The report canvasses a number of practical options for an
Australian republic. While recognising that the Issuie is
a complex one, it clearly demonstrates that Australia can
become a republic without changing our current system of
government. As required by the Committee's terms of reference, the
report makes no recommendations.
The Government does not have a timetable for a republic
but it hopes to see a republican structure in place by
the turn of the century. It is essential that pAtnple
have time to consider the issues.
The report is being made available to the public to
provide a factual base for community debate which munt
precede any change, For in the end it will be the people
who decide whether Australia becomes a republic.
The Government will study the report carefully with a
view to developing a considered position on the central
issues. To this end, I propose to establish a small working party
of senior Ministers to consider the issues and develop a
p aper for Cabinet in the first half of next year.
The working party will include Gareth Evans, Kim BeazlAy.
Michael Lavarcht Graham Richardson, Roo Kelly and Frank
Walker. I would like to thank Malcolm Turnbull and his colleagues
on the Committee for the great dedication and energy they
have brought to the task.
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The report they have written will provide an invaluable
resource for the people of Australia as we consider the
destiny of our nation.
CANBERRA ACT
October 1993
* The Committee's Report, which is made up of two volumes,
is available, together with a separate overview of the
Report, from outlets of the Commonwealth Government
Bookshop and by mail-order from the Australian Government
Publishing Service on 008 020 049 ( a 24 hour number) or
by fax on ( 06) 295 4888.