Australian ‘republic’ backed by M.P.s

Press, 11 March 1983, Page 26

Australian ‘republic’ backed by M.P.s

NZPA London Thirteen Opposition Labour members of Parliament, in a Parliamentary motion sponsored by a leading antiRoyalist, said that they would be “happy” if the new Labour Government turned Australia into a republic. The motion congratulated the Australian Labour Party leader, Mr Bob Hawke, on his election victory. The motion, sponsored by Mr William Hamilton, said it was “happy to note that in a short while Australia will become a republic within the Commonwealth."

Australia is among 17 nations in the 47-member Commonwealth which regard the Queen as head of State. The remainder — republics and four countries with their own monarchs — recognise the Queen as head of the Commonwealth. Meanwhile, a Royal Navy spokesman said Britain would not order a new warship from Australia in retaliation for Mr Hawke’s reported cancellation of an Australian order for a Brit-ish-built aircraft carrier. Britain had offered to have a replacement for the landing craft Sir Galahad, which

was sunk in last year’s Falklands war, built at an Australian yard. “If they are not going to buy an aircraft carrier from us, obviously the proposal that Australia build a Sir Galahad replacement lapses. It was part of a package,” said a Royal Navy spokesman. Britain had not yet been formally notified by Mr Hawke’s administration that it was cancelling the aircraft carrier order, he said. British labour unions have protested about the Sir Galahad order.