An Australian Republic?

       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

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):
  • Introduction
  • Referendum 99
  • Referendum Ballot Papers
  • Postal Voting
  • Republic YES case
  • Republic NO case
  • Preamble YES case
  • Preamble NO case

• 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

• AusFlag

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