>From ABC news on-line, 9/3/99
Five weeks for public comment on republic draft legislation
The Federal Government has given just over five weeks for public
comment on draft legislation to make Australia a republic.
The Federal Government has released the draft Bills, which set out
the changes proposed at last year's Constitutional Convention.
The draft sticks to the model suggested by the Constitutional
Convention.
If the republic referendum is passed a President would take office
on January 1, 2001 for a five-year term.
A 32-member committee, half-politicians, half-community members
would work out the short list.
The final decision would be made by a two-thirds majority of
Parliament.
The President could be sacked by the Prime Minister, provided a
simple majority of the House of Representatives approves the
decision within 30 days.
But the President would keep the reserve powers the
Governor-General currently has to dismiss the Prime Minister, such
as in 1975.
There is still no date for the referendum, but it is expected in
November.
There will be separate ballot papers on the republic and on a new
preamble.
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