FED: Monarchists and Republicans alike welcome the Queen

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-1999
FED: Monarchists and Republicans alike welcome the Queen

By Doug Conway, Senior Correspondent

SYDNEY, April 8 AAP - Monarchists hope the presence of the "world's most popular woman" in
Australia next year will help them celebrate a resounding No vote to the republic.

Republicans hope the Queen's visit will be her last as head of state.

But both agree that personal attitudes towards her will have no influence on November's
republic referendum.

The monarch's 13th visit to Australia, her first for eight years, has been carefully timed
to avoid the referendum tussle.

And, coming in the first half of the year, it is unlikely she will return for the Olympics.

"The republic debate will be all over by then," said Kerry Jones, Australians for a
Constitutional Monarch executive director.

"I hope her visit will be a great celebration of a resounding No vote.

"It will allow people to focus on the fact that we are an independent legal and
constitutional nation, that the Queen costs Australia nothing and that she has no role in the
workings of government.

"She is the most popular woman in the world, and has held her position impeccably for a
very long time, unlike politicians who come and go.

"Her visit should also emphasise that the Governor-General's role is above politics, and
should not be forced on another politician who is called a president."

Asked about the possibility of pro-republican demonstrations during the Queen's stay, Ms
Jones said: "I hope there aren't any. It's not the Australian way.

"I call on all people, republicans and anti-republicans, to respect the vote and accept the
umpire's decision whichever way it goes."

Australian Republic Movement chairman Malcolm Turnbull said: "I don't think delighted is
the right word but the Queen has always been welcome when she's come to Australia.

"I hope it will be her last visit as Australia's head of state because in November I trust
that we will have voted to have an Australian citizen as our head of state from January 2001
onwards."

Real Republic director Phil Cleary said he wanted to be out of the country during the
visit.

"I can't think of anything I'd less like to see than Lizzie down there parading through the
streets of Sydney and Melbourne.

"Johnny Howard in an Akubra and Lizzie in the tiara will delight all of those monarchists.

"I just won't be there."

Prime Minister Howard said the Queen was a "respected and much-liked figure" who would be
welcome no matter how Australians voted in the referendum.

"I know quite a number of people who are going to vote 'yes' in November who regard her
with a lot of respect and believe she's done a very conscientious job," he said.

"Equally I know a lot of people who are going to vote 'no' in November who aren't
particularly strong royalists."

Mr Howard said it was unlikely the Queen would make a second visit to attend the Olympic
Games, and he still believed the prime minister of the day should open them.

"I formed that view and took that view long before I became prime minister and long before
I became opposition leader, so it wasn't out of any personal desire on my part to open the
Games."

AAP dc/bm

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