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| Kevin Rudd spoke to the media
about his thoughts on the 2020 summit which called for a republic. Interview with Karen Middleton, SBS TV News 20 April 2008 Subject: 2020 Summit E&OE... PM: You know what actually hit me between the eyes, was this single undiluted call from the business community and those in our economic working group saying, ‘what we want most of all is a single, seamless national economy’. That is, a single national market. Whether it’s in labour, product, carbon, electricity, water. Because the costs of doing business nationally in what is still a relatively small economy by global standards are too great. MIDDLETON: We saw some big picture ideas too and not surprising that we are hearing calls for the Republic. There was a vote yesterday suggesting that should happen within two years. And those calls actually came from within your own Government. What’s your response to a two year time frame given that this has come from the floor of this Summit? PM: Everyone at this Summit has been free to put their own views whether they are from the within the Government, or outside. I’m pretty relaxed about all that. I’m a Republican. Australia will become a Republic. The question is when. The mood of this Summit was obviously strong in support of a Republic. We just need to get the process right. Remember, we lost the referendum on the Republic less than a decade ago. I don’t believe it helps if we lose another one. We’ve got to get it right. MIDDLETON: Will you drive this forward now after having this brought to you from the Summit? PM: Well, the relevant Ministers and I will spend some time looking at the details of the new proposal. They put forward a new, as I see it, two stage proposal. Let’s work our way through that and see what it contains. Australians for Constitutional Monarchy national convenor David Flint said no monarchists were chosen to participate in the governance stream, although prominent Tasmanian Liberal MP and monarchist Michael Hodgman had nominated himself. Australian Monarchist League chairman Philip Benwell said the governance delegates were specifically selected to produce the recommendation in favour of the republic. "It is a recommendation made by republicans, not by a summit that comprises a consensus of the people,'' he told ABC Radio. 22 April 2008 Opposition frontbencher Malcolm Turnbull has warned Prime Minister Kevin Rudd he risks "glorious defeat" if he pushes for a republic without overwhelming support. Mr Turnbull, chairman of the republican movement at the time of the 1999 referendum when Australians voted to retain the monarchy, said the best time to revive the issue would be when the Queen's reign ends. |
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