Cory Bernardi SA, Australian Conservatives
12:37 pm
I ask that general business notice of motion No. 1152 standing in my name for today, relating to the Australian Constitution—you cannot object to this, surely—be taken as a formal motion.
Scott Ryan President
Is there any objection to this motion being taken as formal? There being none, Senator Bernardi.
Cory Bernardi SA, Australian Conservatives
I move:
That the Senate:
(a) notes that 6 November 2018 marks the 19th anniversary of the defeat of the referendum proposal for Australia to break ties with the British monarchy and become a republic;
(b) further notes that every Australian state voted against the proposal; and
(c) supports Australia's Constitution.
Anthony Chisholm Queensland, Australian Labor Party
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Anthony Chisholm Queensland, Australian Labor Party
The founders of our Constitution included a mechanism for us to regularly update the Constitution to ensure it remained relevant and reflected the will of the people. We note a recent survey indicated most Australians support Australia becoming a republic. If Labor is elected at the next election, we will hold a national vote to allow the Australian people to decide if they want an Australian as our head of state.
Question agreed to.