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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 12 Hansard (13 November) . . Page.. 4213 ..

MR CORBELL (continuing):

Madam Deputy Speaker, I wanted to put those thoughts on the record and to say very clearly that, when it comes to making decisions in this place, the most important things are the people of the Australian Capital Territory and the interests that we serve - not the interests of the head of state who resides many thousands of miles away; but the interests of the residents of this Territory. That is why I believe that this Assembly should be supporting these amendments.

MR STEFANIAK (Minister for Education and Training) (9.40): Unfortunately, Mr Corbell does not appreciate that that is exactly what the traditional form of words which Ms Tucker is seeking to remove means. I will make just three brief points. I will agree with the Speaker that we are not yet a republic. When we become one - Ms Tucker may be right; that may well be sooner rather than later - then it would be appropriate to remove these words and insert other words, and to do that in a consistent way across all legislation, rather than in a piecemeal way like this. What will she want to do next, Madam Deputy Speaker? Have a look behind you. You have a very nice coat of arms up there, which says, "For the Queen, the Law and the People". Does she want that to come down? Does she want to smash that or paint it out? What will she want to do next?

Mr Wood: In the next parliament, that is going. You anticipate me.

MR STEFANIAK: I hope not. Ms Tucker, wait. You might be right. If Mr Corbell is right and if this huge percentage of people want us to become a republic, no doubt we will have a referendum in due course. That may well occur. When it does, go for your life, Ms Tucker. My colleague Mr Cornwell is a member of Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy. I do not know whether I am a member at present. I would probably have to repay my subscription. I think they sent me a reminder. Let us assume, Ms Tucker, that you are right and that we will at some stage become a republic.

I have one further point to make, apart from your being very premature in this. The current words have a lot of style. They are:

I ... swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second, and Her heirs and successors, according to law.

Then it goes on about well and truly serving in the office of referee. That has a lot of style. What are you suggesting that we put in its place, Ms Tucker? You are suggesting just the last sentence, with the insertion of "the people of the Australian Capital Territory". Regardless of the other arguments, I think you need to go back to the drawing board and come up with something with a bit more style.

Mr Humphries: It is not elegant.

MR STEFANIAK: It is not elegant.

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