Republic of New Zealand Party News Release

2 May 2008

Ozzie leads the way

If Ozzie Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, sticks to his time table Australia will be a republic while Kiwis are still jerking their forelocks to the Queen, says Constitutional Affairs spokesman, Wayne Hawkins

The Labour Government will put the question to Australian voters at the next federal elections in 2010. If they say ‘yes’ Australian voters will be asked to vote on options for a republic system in 2013. And then the Ozzies will do it.

Jim Bolger said we should be one. Helen Clark said that we will inevitably become one. Labour politicians tell us privately that they agree with us. New Zealand should be a republic.

But the acid test is who has the guts and the vision to put this to the people

“There’s only one party,” says Wayne Hawkins, “ that’s us, The Republic of New Zealand Party.”

He said the Party would put the question to New Zealanders in a referendum which would be binding.

If two thirds say yes we would set up a constitutional committee to work on a proposal for a constitution which we would put to the people. This would become our founding document, the blueprint for our republic.
During this process, reconciling Maori grievances will be a priority.

The Republic of New Zealand Party favours a system based on the separation of powers, an elected presidency, a legislature and a judiciary but the people will decide on the form of our republic

We need to develop our own form of government, a system which meets our needs as an independent South Pacific nation in the new millennium.

“Kiwi snoozers need to wake up. It’s time for us to move with our Anzac friends across the ditch and claim our own identity in the South Pacific.”

ENDS

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