FED: Wooldridge backs original republic question

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-1999
FED: Wooldridge backs original republic question

CANBERRA, Aug 4 AAP - Federal cabinet minister Michael Wooldridge said today he would vote
for a republic in the November 6 referendum regardless of how the question was framed.

The health minister said he did not see any need to change the wording of the question.

"Quite frankly, I thought the title was pretty good as it stood," Dr Wooldridge told
reporters.

"I'll still be voting yes."

A cross-party committee of MPs is set to recommend the question be changed to ensure voters
know they would be voting on whether to replace the Queen with an Australian head of state.

Dr Wooldridge said he was happy with the current wording which focused on the selection of
a president by a two-thirds majority of parliament, and which makes no mention of the Queen.

"I think the question, to my way of thinking, was an accurate reflection of what was in the
(Constitutional) Convention," he said.

He said he did not think the change in wording would be a key factor in boosting republican
chances in the November referendum.

"Honestly, if the republican movement needs the framing of the question to get the debate
up, it's dead," he said.

AAP daw/jg/pwa/br

KEYWORD: REPUBLIC WOOLDRIDGE

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