FED: Bill Hayden says republic model is half baked

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-1999
FED: Bill Hayden says republic model is half baked

SYDNEY, Aug 18 AAP - Former governor-general Bill Hayden today described the republican
model being put to voters in the November referendum as half-baked.

Announcing his support for the No campaign in the November 6 referendum, Mr Hayden said he
was happy with the present constitutional system.

However he said if people did want a republic then they should have one where the president
was chosen by direct election, not by a two-thirds majority of parliament.

The proposed model was elitist, jerry-built and gave too much power to politicians, he
said.

"I would describe the present proposals (as) half-baked," he said. "(They) could end up
leaving us with a constitutional mess as the national heritage.

"A mess that would hamper the good order and smooth operation of our federal political
system for generations to come."

He conceded most Australians might want a republic and linked the fact to the "latest
unfortunate shenanigans" of one royal, a reference to Prince Philip's disparaging remarks
about Indians last week.

AAP ns/tsm/jm

KEYWORD: REPUBLIC HAYDEN

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