FED: Democrat seeks support for direct election bill

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-1999
FED: Democrat seeks support for direct election bill

CANBERRA, Aug 3 AAP - Australian Democrats senator Andrew Murray today called on federal
parliament to support his private members' bill for an Australian head of state to be elected
by the people.

Senator Murray said he would be putting forward a notice of motion to the Senate when it
resumed sitting next week that his bill be considered along with the other legislation for the
November 6 republic referendum.

The Democrats spokesman on electoral matters said he welcomed senior government
frontbencher, and fellow republican, Peter Reith's opposition to the republican model to be
voted on at the referendum.

Mr Reith, the Workplace Relations Minister, on the weekend launched his own discussion
paper urging the rejection of the proposal for two-thirds of parliament to elect an Australian
president.

Senator Murray said the split in republican ranks could be healed if the Senate supported
his bill, which provides for direct election.

The bill, submitted to parliament last June, gives voters a choice on whether they want a
government-appointed, or a directly-elected head of state.

"Polls have consistently shown that there is significant support for a directly-elected
president," Senator Murray said.

"By ignoring this, the parliament is almost certainly ensuring a 'no' vote for a republic.
This bill would prevent that."

Senator Murray said he shared Mr Reith's concerns that the proposed conversion from a
constitutional monarchy to a republic overpowered the prime minister to sack a president.

"Why accept something which reduces your constitutional protection," he said.

AAP sc/adh

KEYWORD: REPUBLIC DEMOCRATS

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