MPs must support Head of State Bill so public can decide

14 October 2009

"The Republican Movement is very pleased that Keith Locke's Head of State Bill has been drawn from today's members ballot. The Bill gives New Zealanders their first chance ever to choose whether New Zealand should become a republic. All MPs who believe in giving the public a say should support the Bill to Select Committee stage" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement of Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Head of State Bill would bring about a referendum on whether New Zealand should become a republic. If Parliament passes the Bill into law, three options would go before the New Zealand people in a referendum - the status quo, a republic with a head of state elected by parliament, and a republic with a head of state directly elected by the people.

"Even if they oppose a republic, no MP can dispute that this issue is best decided by the New Zealand public in a referendum. We hope that our elected representatives will agree that the people of New Zealand deserve a say on how their government works - and that they support this Bill through its first reading" continued Mr Holden.

Noel Cox, Chairman of the Monarchist League, commented when the Bill was first put into the members ballot that he was not opposed to a referendum on a republic.

"The monarchists think there should be a referendum - their supporters in parliament should vote for this Bill on that basis" concluded Mr Holden.

NOTES

• More information on the Bill can be found at: www.headofstate.org.nz
• The New Zealand Herald quoted Noel Cox on 20 February 2002 as stating he had "no objection to a referendum" on a republic.
• The Head of State (Referenda) Bill is supported by the Republican Movement to select committee stage.
• The Republican Movement will continue its campaign for a New Zealand head of State, and continue backing the Bill, even if the Bill is voted down by Parliament.
• The Bill is a private members' Bill, and not a Green Party initiative.