Head of State Bill Decision Disappoints Republican Movement
MEDIA RELEASE: 21 April 2010
"The Republican Movement is very disappointed parliament has voted 68 - 53 against Keith Locke's Head of State Referenda Bill. We are very disappointed the National Party whipped its MPs, a number of whom are republicans, to vote against the Bill. They offered little explanation for this in the debate" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement.
The Republican Movement thanks Keith Locke and everyone else involved in getting this Bill as far as it did for all of their hard work.
"We do take heart from the fact that not one would speak in defence of the monarchy on principle. The Prime Minister's stance is that a republic is inevitable. John Key should show New Zealanders that he truly is ambitious for this country, and relish the chance to debate important constitutional issues like a republic" continued Mr Holden.
"The Maori Party contradicted themselves voting against the Bill, by arguing that the process did not include sufficient input or consultation with Maori. Surely the best way for Maori to be consulted and provide input on the Bill is at select committee" continued Mr Holden.
"We believe John Key, the National Party and their allies may rue the day they turned down this opportunity to discuss the republic issue. Putting it off won't make it go away. The Queen turned 84 today, Her Majesty's long reign won't go on forever. The time to start discussing our future is now" concluded Mr Holden.
"The Republican Movement is very disappointed parliament has voted 68 - 53 against Keith Locke's Head of State Referenda Bill. We are very disappointed the National Party whipped its MPs, a number of whom are republicans, to vote against the Bill. They offered little explanation for this in the debate" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement.
The Republican Movement thanks Keith Locke and everyone else involved in getting this Bill as far as it did for all of their hard work.
"We do take heart from the fact that not one would speak in defence of the monarchy on principle. The Prime Minister's stance is that a republic is inevitable. John Key should show New Zealanders that he truly is ambitious for this country, and relish the chance to debate important constitutional issues like a republic" continued Mr Holden.
"The Maori Party contradicted themselves voting against the Bill, by arguing that the process did not include sufficient input or consultation with Maori. Surely the best way for Maori to be consulted and provide input on the Bill is at select committee" continued Mr Holden.
"We believe John Key, the National Party and their allies may rue the day they turned down this opportunity to discuss the republic issue. Putting it off won't make it go away. The Queen turned 84 today, Her Majesty's long reign won't go on forever. The time to start discussing our future is now" concluded Mr Holden.
ENDS
Media contact: Lewis Holden 027 699 1350 (m)
The Republican Movement is a network of New Zealanders who want our head of state to be elected by New Zealanders - either directly or indirectly.
We are committed to:
- involving all New Zealanders in the republic debate;
- providing relevant and reliable information;
- focusing on ideas, not personalities;
- winning a referendum to establish the republic;
Creating a republic does not require any change to the Treaty of Waitangi, flag or Commonwealth membership. For more information, see our website: www.republic.org.nz
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