From the Archives,1998:Cheers,tears and the tang of eucalypts

The Herald’s Tony Stephens was there when the Constitutional Convention voted in favour of the nation becoming a republic,paving the way for a referendum.

First published inThe Sydney Morning Herald on February 14,1998

Cheers,tears and the tang of eucalypts
Convention Diary

February 13,1998. It might just turn out to be Golden Friday. At the very least,it is unlikely that Australian democracy will be quite the same again.

As the convention finished there were hugs for the ARM with Janet Holmes A Court,at left,and Malcolm Campbell getting a hug from Wendy Machin. 13th February,1998.

As the convention finished there were hugs for the ARM with Janet Holmes A Court,at left,and Malcolm Campbell getting a hug from Wendy Machin. 13th February,1998.John French

The Prime Minister said as much when he opened Constitution Place in Canberra yesterday. The name will be a lasting tribute to this historic convention.

How much of this convention lasts remains to be seen,but the exhilaration in Old Parliament House touched hardened political hearts and warmed the spirit of the nation.

Delegates who had arm wrestled for two weeks threw their arms around one another. Hands formerly raised in anger were offered in friendship. Kisses were offered and accepted,tears shed.

Mr Howard said:“The reason it has been a success and why it has captured the interest and imagination of the Australian people is that . . . we all smell the same eucalypts,we all know the same dust,and we all feel the same salt in the same ocean.”

The shining moment came at 2.44 pm. Seventy-three delegates had voted “that this convention supports the adoption of a republican system of government on the bipartisan appointment model in preference to there being no change to the Constitution”. There were 57 votes against and 22 abstentions. The mood was strangely subdued. Members of the Australian Republican Movement were disappointed. Delegates were distracted by argument as to whether or not the 73 constituted a majority.

Then Mr Howard rose to announce that,because a clear majority had voted for a republic and the bipartisan model was clearly most favoured,“it would be a travesty in a democracy for that proposition not to be put to the Australian people”.

The vast majority of delegates,and most visitors in the public gallery,broke into applause. Lloyd Waddy,who has defended the monarchy like Horatio on his bridge,led the clapping.

History will judge this moment,and this day.

It’s not Federation on January 1,1901;Anzac on April 25,1915;or the Mabo judgment of June 3,1992. Yet Friday,February 13,could be a defining moment,not only for what was decided but for the manner of the decisions. The convention restored faith in the quality of civic debate in Australia.

Constitutional Convention,Old Parliament House,Canberra. Last day and the first of the votes take place with those standing ready to hand in their ballot papers. 13th February,1998.

Constitutional Convention,Old Parliament House,Canberra. Last day and the first of the votes take place with those standing ready to hand in their ballot papers. 13th February,1998.John French

The Rev Tim Costello,who had opposed the ARM,began by moving “that this convention supports,in principle,Australia becoming a republic”.

Dr David Mitchell,a Presbyterian minister,warned that the republic would fall “through the grace of almighty God”.

Kim Beazley said that no less than 85 per cent of Australians wanted a republic now or thought it inevitable.

Nova Peris-Kneebone,who won an Olympic gold medal for hockey,said that to argue a republic was dangerous was like telling a daughter it was dangerous to play hockey.

Catholic Archbishop George Pell voted for the republic. Anglican Archbishop Peter Hollingworth,an honest broker beset by doubt,abstained. Pell was among the winners when the vote was announced at 10.23 am,89 to 52,with 11 abstentions.

Pell rose to move the crucial resolution. Conservatives should recognise they would never get a better result than this.

Lloyd Waddy,praised on all sides for his integrity,said that what was proposed was constitutional vandalism.

Peter Costello,brother of Tim,thought Australia should move on but that the republican model was unfinished work. He couldn’t vote for it.

Golden Friday rushed on,through Howard announcing the referendum to the final vote,that the republican model be put to a referendum. An overwhelming 133 delegates approved,at 3.27 pm.

Janet Holmes a Court kissed Malcolm Turnbull and wept. Wendy Machin wept. Chairman Ian Sinclair appeared more emotional than ever.

Beazley said he believed Howard would support the referendum in the end. Howard shook his head. Nearly everyone sang Advance Australia Fair.

A baby cried in the public gallery.

Tony Stephens is a Walkley Award winning journalist,editor and author.

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