Young people will support the Bipartisan Model to be put to Referendum this November, according to Young Australians for a Republic, a coalition of young republicans representing youth at this weekend's National Convention of Republicans.
"We have read the recent reports about the drop in support for the republic among young people, but having spent the last year speaking to young Australians from all around the country, we know these reports are misleading," said Victorian delegate Peter Sagar, 22. "These claims have been made on the basis of one small sample, and they don't reflect what young people are saying about the issue."
"I have spoken to hundreds of young people involved with the Constitutional Centenary Foundation who support the march towards the republic, and for most of them, the question of the model is secondary," said Andrew Knox, a youth delegate from South Australia.
"Young Australians have a range of views about how an Australian Republic should be created, but overwhelmingly we know that the current system is outdated and does not represent young people's views and values."
Young Australians for a Republic ackowledged that mnay young people support the idea of popular election of a president, but rejected suggestions that they will desert the republic at this year's referendum.
"Young people are tired of the arguments within the republican camps, we just want an Australian as our Head of State instead of an English Queen," said Stephen Brooks, from Barooga, Victoria.
"Phil Cleary, Peter Reith and Ted Mack don't understand that young people see the Bipartisan model as more democratic that the Constitutional Monarchy. Young people will vote yes, because we don't like a system with an English Head of State. We don't think it's fair that someone becomes a Queen or King just because they are born into the Royal Family"
Contact:
Sandy Pitcher [ACT/NT]
Marni Curtis [SA/WA]
Terry MacDonald [VIC/TAS]
James Cockayne [NSW/QLD]
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