IN THIS EDITION: PM: No Republic Debate "At this time"; Australian Senate Hears Republic Bill; Opinion: An Issue of Vision by Barrie Cook; Republican Movement News.

PM: No Republic Debate "At this time"

Monarchist League Chair Noel Cox and Republican Movement Chair Lewis Holden debate the monarchy on TV3, 29 April 2009.

PRIME MINISTER John Key has deferred any debate or referendum on a republic, telling NewstalkZB "I don't support New Zealand becoming a republic at this time". The Republican Movement has responded by accusing Mr Key of sitting on the fence on the republic issue. Mr Key's statement followed a call by United Future leader Peter Dunne for a referendum on a republic to be held at the same time as the 2011 general election. Mr Dunne noted that both the current and previous Prime Minister were happy to say that a republic is inevitable, but were unwilling to progress the issue.

The debate arose from the release of a poll by Republican Movement and published on the Queen's 83rd birthday. The poll of 1,018 New Zealanders shows the public are increasingly looking to the future as a republic - although Prince Charles is winning the race by a nose.

43% of those surveyed in the poll stated they wanted New Zealand to become a republic, and did not want Prince Charles to become New Zealand's head of State when the Queen's reign ends. 45% supported Charles as King, with 13% stating they wouldn't answer or didn't know. The poll had a margin of error of 3.1%.

In response to the debate, the New Zealand Herald and Otago Daily Times ran editorials which highlighted an apparent North - South divide. While the Herald was mildly supportive, the Otago Daily Times put itself in the monarchist camp.

Australian Senate Hears Republic Bill

THE AUSTRALIAN SENATE is hearing arguments about the future of Australia as a republic at the inquiry into Greens Senator Bob Brown's republic plebiscite Bill. The monarchists appearing attacked the process, and even made comparisons with Nazi Germany. The republican submitters were generally supportive. Some complained over the wording of the question, a contentious issue at the 1999 republic referendum.

The first submitter was Sir David Smith, the official secretary to then Governor-General Sir John Kerr in 1975, when the Whitlam Labor government was dismissed. Sir David argued the case against this new move towards a republic.

Later, the Australian Monarchist League put their case against a republic. They claimed the outcome of a plebiscite would be "legally uncertain" and even "dangerous". Referencing Nazi Germany, National Chairman Philip Benwell argued "A plebiscite can have very serious implications to the stability of our constitutional arrangements as did occur in Germany with the 1934 plebiscite."

Major-General Michael Keating for the Australian Republican Movement said the nation is crying out for strong political leadership. "We seem content for leaders to be vaguely supportive of the concept of a republican Australia, to comment on the so-called inevitability of us becoming a republic and yet to find a myriad of excuses for inaction." The hearings will continue through May.

Opinion: An Issue of Vision

By Barrie Cook

I CAN UNDERSTAND Key's sentiment to the extent that there are more pressing issues at hand.  What I find disappointing is his and others inability to pick up on the notion that becoming a republic is part of the overall development of New Zealand, including economic development.  Essentially it is a lack of vision.

 A true visionary leader would understand the role of identity (personal, community, national) in how all of us approach the world around us (including work and business).

I guess, given his family background, his career overseas, and the nature of what he actually did, he is a boy of the global village and not a nationalist (in the nice sense of the word) like me.

Any member of the Republican Movement may submit an opinion to be published in this column - just contact us. All opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and do not reflect the views and policies of the Republican Movement.

Republican Movement News

OUR CAMPAIGN is off to a great start - a couple of members have already come forward with their ideas for creating republics in their local area. If you're interested in turning your own patch of Aotearoa into a republic before the rest of the country, please contact us.

T-shirts in Black

New black t-shirts are in the works - this time in a slimming black. We've already got some orders ready to go, so get in quick and buy yours. See the Republican Movement's Store for more details.

Take The Republic Quiz And Win

REGISTER on the Republican Movement website and take the Republic Quiz - and if you get at least 8/10 questions right, we'll send you a free republic.org.nz bumper sticker.