12 October

At a republic debate organised by The Australian at Ipswich Qld, Cheryl Kernot, opposition spokesperson on employment, said that the proposed change to a republic would provide Australia with an even safer constitutional system. She said that the change was not a radical one nor even everyone’s preferred option. But she said, it is safe and an opportunity to “symbolically stand on our own two feet, without any risk to our parliamentary system and our democratic traditions.” Reported in The Australian.
At the same debate, Mary Kelly, a unionist and direct election supporter at last year’s Constitutional Convention is now behind the YES…and More campaign. She said, “I would still rather a yes and more than a no and wait. I am a republican and I don’t think there is place for the British monarchy in modern Australia.” Also reported in The Australian.