Senator MINCHIN (Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister)(9.50 p.m.) —In response to Senator Bolkus, we do accept that amendment but, in speaking on behalf of the government, I would have to say that we would still be in the position of having to oppose this preamble. I do not want to sound unduly petulant, but the reference to the head of state raises issues about which members of the government and opposition do disagree. If it is said that Australia might become a republic, we might have less problem with it, but I think the totality of the wording is such that it is not capable of being amended on the spot now in a manner which I could on behalf of the government accept. Therefore, I would have to say we oppose it.