PRIME MINISTER 54/ 93
STATEMENT BY TIHE P1RIME MIINIST'' ER, TIlE HON P J KEATING MP
REPUBLIC ADVISORY CO-MMITTEE
I was very disappointed today to learn of Dr I fewson's decision not to nominate a
member of the republic advisory committee.
I believe it dcmonstrates a lack of undlerstanding on Dr Hewson's part of the weight of
the issue and the approach of the Government.
However, I note Dr Hewson's obvious dissatisfaction with the Liberal Party's outdated
platform, and I hope he succeeds in bringing it more into line with community attitudes
at the party's federal council meeting in August.
The work of the republic advisory committee must proceed, notwithstanding the
absence of a nominee from Dr Hewson, but the door remains open should Dr Hewson
change his mind.
CANBERRA 29 April, 1993
TEL:
REPITIBIIC ADVISORY COMMTTEE
Announced by the Prime Minister, the Hon P J Keating MP
April 28 1993
MALCOLM TURNBULL
MR NICK GREINER
MS MARY KOSTAKIDIS
MS LOIS ODONOGHUE
MS SUSAN RYAN
DR JOHN HIRST
PROF GEORGE WINTERTON S Chairman
S Former NSW Liberal Premier
S Media Presenter, SBS TV,
member of Constitutional
Centenary Foundation
S Chair, Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Commission
Former ALP Senator and
Minister for Education, currently
chief executive Plastics Industry
Association
S Reader in History, LaTrobe
University, Convenor of
Australian Republican Movement,
Victoria
S Professor of Law, University of
NSW
Leader of the Opposition to nominate one representative.
State Premiers and Chief Ministers to nominate two representatives. 3 pr 4 . cC , 4 .11
T
TEL: 30. pr .9 TE-4 No. 004 F
REPUBUC ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TERMS OF REFERENCE
The current purpose Is to obtain an options paper which describes the minimum constitutonal
changes necessary to achieve a viable Federal Republic of Australia, maintaining the effect of
our current conventions and principles of government. There is no intention that the Committee
should examine any options which would otherwise change our structure of government,
Including the relationship between the Commonwealth and the States. Even with this limited
purpose, however, It will be necessary to examine a variety of practical possibilities and consut
widely with the community.
The Committee should describe and analyse the possibilities and the main arguments for and
against them, but should not make recommendations as such. The Committee's final report
should be available to the Prime Minister by 1 September 1993.
In light of the above, the report should address the following matters:
1. The removal of all references to the monarch in the Constitution.
2. In light of this, the need for and creation of a new office of Head of State and
consideration of what the office might be called.
3. The provisions for the appointment and termination of appointment of the Head of State
including the method of selection and appointment eg
selection and appointment by the government of the day
selection by the government and endorsement by both Houses of Parliament
appointment by an " electoral college' comprising representatives of various
parliaments appointment following election by the Federal Parliament
popular election
4. How the powers of the new Head of State and their exercise can be made subject to the
same conventions and principles which apply to the powers of the Governor-General.
The nature of the amendments to the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act
required to Implement the options.
6. The implications for the States.
7. Other aspects which arise in the Committee's deliberations and consultations providing
they are relevant to the overall objective in the opening paragraph above.
L