FED: Pro republicans made big concessions Danby

AAP General News (Australia)
08-05-1999
FED: Pro republicans made big concessions Danby

A Labor backbencher says pro-republicans have made major concessions so that a
parliamentary committee could reach consensus on the wording of the republic referendum
question.

Committee member MICHAEL DANBY says after hundreds of hearings, major concessions by
pro-republicans and a spirit of goodwill, the joint select committee on the republic
referendum has completed its inquiry.

The committee will recommend the wording of the question be changed in what committee
chairman, Liberal BOB CHARLES, describes as a unanimous report to parliament next week.

Mr DANBY says he is disappointed committee members National Party Senator RON BOSWELL and
Liberal Senator ERIC ABETZ question the unanimity of the report.

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD and several cabinet colleagues said yesterday they are unlikely
to accept a new question which spells out how a president would replace the Queen in a
republic.

Republicans believe the new question would help their cause at the November 6 vote.

AAP RTV rmg/lw/shm

KEYWORD: REPUBLIC (CANBERRA)

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.