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):
- 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 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
- The Queen’s 2013 Christmas Message December 25, 2013
- Governor-General Quentin Bryce Calls For A Republic And Same-Sex Marriage November 24, 2013
- Gareth Evans Maintains The Rage February 23, 2013
- Bodyline, The Economy And A Republic: Wayne Swan Joins The Dots January 25, 2013
- Malcolm Turnbull’s Speech On Republican Virtues: Truth, Leadership & Responsibility September 5, 2012
- Paul Keating Interview On Sky News December 15, 2011
- Talking 110 Years of the Australian Constitution January 2, 2011
- The Queen’s Christmas Message 2010 December 25, 2010
- The Lady’s Not For Abdicating: Queen Vows To Remain On The Throne April 29, 2002
- Archbishop Peter Hollingworth Appointed Governor-General: Palace Announcement April 22, 2001
- Victoria Becomes a NO State – Referendum Fails In All 6 States November 9, 1999
- REPUBLIC DEFEATED; “NO” VOTE IN ALL STATES EXCEPT VICTORIA November 7, 1999
- Republic Failing, But Result Is Closer Than Expected November 6, 1999
- Historic Opportunity: An Australian Republic? November 6, 1999
- The Republican Constitution November 6, 1999
- Referendum’s Day Of Destiny Draws Near November 5, 1999
- Howard Defends Sir John Kerr November 3, 1999
- John Howard’s 2UE Radio Interview with John Laws November 3, 1999
- Howard Accuses Carr of Undercutting Beazley November 3, 1999
- Republic Referendum Campaign In Final Days November 3, 1999
- Whitlam and Fraser, Old Foes, Unite For “YES” Vote November 1, 1999
- With One Week To Go, Republic Looks Doomed October 30, 1999
- Howard and Costello in Conflict as Republic Referendum Hots Up October 28, 1999
- Peter Costello’s Statement in Support of the “Yes” Case October 27, 1999
- John Howard’s Statement in Support of the “NO” Case October 25, 1999
- Taxes More Certain Than A Republic: Howard October 25, 1999
- Unemployed Englishman Turns 50 – Mum Throws Party November 14, 1998
- Howard Maintains Opposition to Republic October 16, 1998
- Constitutional Convention 1998 – Day 10 – Hansard February 13, 1998
- Constitutional Convention 1998 – Day 9 – Hansard February 12, 1998
- Constitutional Convention 1998 – Day 8 – Hansard February 11, 1998
- Constitutional Convention 1998 – Day 7 – Hansard February 10, 1998
- Constitutional Convention 1998 – Day 6 – Hansard February 9, 1998
- Constitutional Convention 1998 – Day 5 – Hansard February 6, 1998
- Constitutional Convention 1998 – Day 4 – Hansard February 5, 1998
- Constitutional Convention 1998 – Day 3 – Hansard February 4, 1998
- Constitutional Convention 1998 – Day 2 – Hansard February 3, 1998
- Constitutional Convention 1998 – Day 1 – Hansard February 2, 1998
- Vote For A Real Republic! November 16, 1997
- Republic – Yes or No? October 1, 1997
- Earl Spencer’s Eulogy of Diana, Princess of Wales September 6, 1997
- Government Appointments to the Constitutional Convention August 31, 1997
- Howard: Response To Keating’s Republic Proposal June 8, 1995
- Keating: An Australian Republic – The Way Forward June 7, 1995
- Gough Whitlam on a Republic and Blocking Supply June 7, 1995
- Paul Keating’s Speech At The 1893 Corowa Federation Conference Centenary July 31, 1993
