Extract from the CURRENT HOUSE HANSARD Database Date: 6 February 1997
Ms HANSON--"Does the Prime Minister support the view that, under the present economic circumstances, the $25 million people's convention is likely to be an expensive waste of time? Prime Minister, why not conduct a constitutional referendum on the republic and let all the people have a say?"
Mr HOWARD--"The end of the process, if there is to be change, must, of course, be a constitutional referendum. This issue, although I do not believe it is a `top of the mind' issue for Australians, and although it is an issue that is regarded by many Australians as being a second order issue, does go to the constitutional future of Australia, and it is our belief that the issue should be fully and properly debated. The great dilemma, as I have said on a number of occasions recently, is that we have a first-class system of government, without parallel anywhere in the world, but there are a growing number of Australians who are unhappy with some of the symbols of that system. If we are to change the system, we must be absolutely certain that the system that we change to is as good as, if not better than, the system we now have, otherwise we would be a very foolish people to make that change."
"At the end of the day it is very difficult to put a dollar value on constitutional stability. It is very difficult to put a dollar value on parliamentary democracy, the rule of law, the separation of powers and all of those other things which are the hallmarks of our system. I believe we need more debate, more discussion and more understanding of this matter before the time arrives for a constitutional referendum. I have said before that we will have the convention elected. I believe the procedure laid down by the government for the election of the convention is the right procedure in all of the circumstances, and I take the opportunity of reiterating that today. Depending on the outcome of that referendum, further action will follow in accordance with what I said to the Australian people before the election."
"I intend to keep faith with the Australian people. I intend to involve them at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of this process. I believe very passionately that the Australian constitution belongs to the Australian people. It does not belong to you or to me or to the Leader of the Opposition. It belongs to all of the Australian people."
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