PM distances Government from Republic Vote

At the National Press Club in Canberra, Julia Gillard is asked about the Republic.  She said “where the republic debate went wrong was that it became too much about what people like me think and not enough about what the community thinks”.  She said that there has to be consensus (not yet evident) and a change from the NO vote of 1999 to YES.  She strongly signalled that unless her Government could clearly see that a referendum will succeed, then it will take no action.  She also commented that she doesn’t see the same level of engagement with or activity on this issue as was the case in the late 1990s.  WfaAR reminds the Prime Minister that voter engagement with the Republic was minimal until the Constitutional Convention was convened by the Howard Government in 1998 and continued at a high level until the 1999 referendum.  After that, it dropped off quickly when it became evident that no further votes were on the horizon with the then Government remaining strongly opposed.  If a Gillard Government holds one or more non-binding polls or a referendum, the electorate will engage – strongly.  It must, it has to vote and make a choice.  See also Australia Will Not Vote on Ties to British Monarchy by Bonnie Malkin in the UK Telegraph 15 July; PM Lukewarm on Republic by Michelle Grattan in The Age 16 July.