CANBERRA, Feb 4: Diehard Republicans threatened here on Wednesday to derail a historic convention debating Australia's future after it rejected the idea of electing a President by popular vote.About 20 Republican delegates formed a breakaway group saying they would walk out or even vote with those in favour of retaining ties to the British monarchy after a vote on Tuesday appeared to rule out popular Presidential elections in any new Republic.
The vote raised hopes that a majority of the 152 delegates attending the conference would opt for a ``minimalist'' republic in which a President would be appointed by a two thirds majority of the federal parliament.
The issue over how a President should be chosen has bitterly divided the Republican movement, overshadowing the conference debating whether Australia should sever its links with the British crown.
The ``minimalist'' option is backed by the Australian Republican Movement, which has the biggest bloc of delegates, as well as the Labor Opposition andkey government members including monarchist Prime Minister John Howard, who sees it as the only viable Republican option.
Howard has offered a referendum on the issue next year but only if the two-week convention reaches agreement on what kind of model should be presented to the public. Groups of delegates are producing a series of recommendations which are put to a vote on the floor of the convention at the end of each day.
The one which sparked a row on Wednesday, about codification of the powers of ahead of state, was rejected by delegates but could be brought back on to the agenda in a final debate at the end of next week.
The radical Republicans have been disgruntled from the start that their preference for an elected presidency has been sidelined despite popular support. Queensland Republican delegate Paul Tully said on Tuesday's vote was an affront to 80 per cent of Australians shown in polls to favour popular election.
``The only way to get some sort of consensus may well be to put the variousproposals to the people in a plebiscite,'' he told reporters here. ``That will delay the ultimate referendum but it may be the only way to get some sensible consensus out of this convention''.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
