published Feb 6, 1997 ©Copyright Nicholson
At a referendum on November 6, 1999, Australians voted 55% to 45% against a proposed model to make the nation a republic.
The vote was the culmination of a debate that has lingered throughout Australian history, but which gathered momentum following the dismissal of the Whitlam government in 1975, and moves by Prime Minister Paul Keating in the 1990s.
- June 7, 1995: “An Australian Republic” – the speech by Paul Keating that began it all – text, video and audio
- June 8, 1995: John Howard’s Response – text, video and audio
Constitutional Convention – February 1998
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The Constitutional Convention held in Canberra over two weeks in February 1998 resulted in the adoption of a model for a republic that was presented to the electorate at a referendum in November 1999.
The Convention was attended by 152 delegates, 76 appointed by the Federal government and 76 elected by the people in a voluntary ballot in late 1997.
- Full list of Convention delegates – ABC ConCon site removed
- Government Appointments to the Convention
The complete transcripts of proceedings of the Convention are available here:
- Day 1 – Monday 2 Feb
- Day 2 – Tuesday 3 Feb
- Day 3 – Wednesday 4 Feb
- Day 4 – Thursday 5 Feb
- Day 5 – Friday 6 Feb
- Day 6 – Monday 9 Feb
- Day 7 – Tuesday 10 Feb
- Day 8 – Wednesday 11 Feb
- Day 9 – Thursday 12 Feb
- Day 10 – Friday 13 Feb
Republic Referendum – November 1999
Two referendums were held on Saturday 6 November 1999. One concerned the establishment of an Australian republic with a Head of State appointed by a two-thirds majority of Federal Parliament. The other concerned a Preamble to the Constitution.
Both referendums were defeated.
- Full Text of the Republican Constitution – the Constitution as it would have been amended if the referendum had succeeded.
- Download the official YES and NO documents (PDF):
- Oct 25, 1999: John Howard’s Statement in Support of the “No” case
- Oct 27, 1999: Peter Costello’s Statement in Support of the “Yes” case
- Other Advice
Other Sites
Pro-Republic
- Australian Republican Movement – official site
- An Australian Republic – A Guide for the Perplexed – full text of the 1999 Hawke Lecture by Sir Zelman Cowan, 9 June 1999
Anti-Republic
- Australians for Constitutional Monarchy
- The Monarchist League in Australia
- Samuel Griffith Society
- Howard Defends Kerr – Interview with John Laws [November 3, 1999]
Archived Posts
- Dec 25, 2013: The Queen’s 2013 Christmas Message
- Nov 24, 2013: Governor-General Quentin Bryce Calls For A Republic And Same-Sex Marriage
- Feb 23, 2013: Gareth Evans Maintains The Rage
- Jan 25, 2013: Bodyline, The Economy And A Republic: Wayne Swan Joins The Dots
- Sep 05, 2012: Malcolm Turnbull’s Speech On Republican Virtues: Truth, Leadership & Responsibility
- Dec 15, 2011: Paul Keating Interview On Sky News
- Jan 02, 2011: Talking 110 Years of the Australian Constitution
- Dec 25, 2010: The Queen’s Christmas Message 2010
- Apr 29, 2002: The Lady’s Not For Abdicating: Queen Vows To Remain On The Throne
- Apr 22, 2001: Archbishop Peter Hollingworth Appointed Governor-General: Palace Announcement
- Nov 09, 1999: Victoria Becomes a NO State – Referendum Fails In All 6 States
- Nov 07, 1999: REPUBLIC DEFEATED; “NO” VOTE IN ALL STATES EXCEPT VICTORIA
- Nov 06, 1999: Republic Failing, But Result Is Closer Than Expected
- Nov 06, 1999: Historic Opportunity: An Australian Republic?
- Nov 06, 1999: The Republican Constitution
- Nov 05, 1999: Referendum’s Day Of Destiny Draws Near
- Nov 03, 1999: Howard Defends Sir John Kerr
- Nov 03, 1999: John Howard’s 2UE Radio Interview with John Laws
- Nov 03, 1999: Howard Accuses Carr of Undercutting Beazley
- Nov 03, 1999: Republic Referendum Campaign In Final Days
- Nov 01, 1999: Whitlam and Fraser, Old Foes, Unite For “YES” Vote
- Oct 30, 1999: With One Week To Go, Republic Looks Doomed
- Oct 28, 1999: Howard and Costello in Conflict as Republic Referendum Hots Up
- Oct 27, 1999: Peter Costello’s Statement in Support of the “Yes” Case
- Oct 25, 1999: John Howard’s Statement in Support of the “NO” Case
- Oct 25, 1999: Taxes More Certain Than A Republic: Howard
- Nov 14, 1998: Unemployed Englishman Turns 50 – Mum Throws Party
- Oct 16, 1998: Howard Maintains Opposition to Republic
- Feb 13, 1998: Constitutional Convention 1998 – Day 10 – Hansard
- Feb 12, 1998: Constitutional Convention 1998 – Day 9 – Hansard
- Feb 11, 1998: Constitutional Convention 1998 – Day 8 – Hansard
- Feb 10, 1998: Constitutional Convention 1998 – Day 7 – Hansard
- Feb 09, 1998: Constitutional Convention 1998 – Day 6 – Hansard
- Feb 06, 1998: Constitutional Convention 1998 – Day 5 – Hansard
- Feb 05, 1998: Constitutional Convention 1998 – Day 4 – Hansard
- Feb 04, 1998: Constitutional Convention 1998 – Day 3 – Hansard
- Feb 03, 1998: Constitutional Convention 1998 – Day 2 – Hansard
- Feb 02, 1998: Constitutional Convention 1998 – Day 1 – Hansard
- Nov 16, 1997: Vote For A Real Republic!
- Oct 01, 1997: Republic – Yes or No?
- Sep 06, 1997: Earl Spencer’s Eulogy of Diana, Princess of Wales
- Aug 31, 1997: Government Appointments to the Constitutional Convention
- Jun 08, 1995: Howard: Response To Keating’s Republic Proposal
- Jun 07, 1995: Keating: An Australian Republic – The Way Forward
- Jun 07, 1995: Gough Whitlam On A Republic And Blocking Supply
- Jul 31, 1993: Paul Keating’s Speech At The 1893 Corowa Federation Conference Centenary
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