The PRESIDENT —From 12 to 14 May this year the fourth National Schools Constitutional Convention met in Canberra with over 125 students from 123 schools attending. I was not able to meet them on the day of their final conference as the Senate was meeting, but I subsequently accepted a communique from two of the students and a photograph of Parliament House which all of the students had signed. I propose to table the photograph and signatures and have the communique incorporated in Hansard so that all senators are able to read it.

The communique read as follows—

NATIONAL SCHOOLS CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

12-14 May 1999, Old Parliament House Canberra

COMMUNIQUE

The fourth National Schools Constitutional Convention was held in the Senate Chamber, Old Parliament House, Canberra from 12—14 May 1999.

One hundred and twenty five student delegates from 123 schools from all Australian states and territories took part in the convention organised by the Constitutional Centenary Foundation.

The Schools Constitutional Conventions seek to promote understanding and informed discussion amongst young Australians about the Australian Constitution and system of government.

Student delegates from every Australian school in the catholic, government and independent education sectors are given the opportunity to participate regional and state/territory schools constitutional conventions, where they are either selected or elected to attend the National Convention.

The Convention was opened by the Hon Trish Worth MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs. Mr Donald McDonald, Chairman of the Constitutional Centenary Foundation welcomed delegates to the Convention. Speakers included: the Rt. Hon Ian Sinclair, Maxine McKew, the Hon Neville Wran, Mrs Kerry Jones, Chief Justice the Hon Murray Gleeson, Ms Evelyn Scott, and Mia Handshin.

Student delegates were addressed by His Excellency the Honourable Sir William Deane, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, at a welcome reception at Government House. As part of the Convention program, delegates attended Question Time in the House of Representatives and met with the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament at afternoon tea.

The ACT Minister for Education, Mr. Bill Stefaniak, welcomed students to Canberra at an evening function at the National Science and Technology Centre. Students were addressed by Mr John Basten QC at the Convention dinner at the High Court of Australia.

The Convention was assisted by the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs under the Discovering Democracy program, with sponsorship from the National Council for the Centenary of Federation.

The Convention delegates discussed two major issues:

The 1999 Referendum and the Republic Model

Citizenship

The conclusions of the Convention were:

REFERENDUM ON A REPUBLIC

1. Australia should become a republic.

2. The proposed model is acceptable as the Initial basis for an Australian republic.

3. The model could be improved in the following respects:

. The powers of the Head of State should be codified.

. The President should be automatically-returned to office if the Prime Minister's decision to dismiss is not ratified.

. The President should only be dismissed by a two-thirds majority of the Parliament rather than the Prime Minister alone.

CITIZENSHIP

1. The Australian Constitution should recognise Australian Citizenship.

2. In principle, the Constitution should recognise certain citizenship rights.

3. Citizenship rights which should be recognised in the Constitution include:

. To vote

. Stand for public office

. Hold an Australian passport

. Diplomatic protection while overseas

4. The Convention was equally divided on the issue whether Australian citizens who also are citizens of another country should be able to stand for parliament.

5. The working groups at the Convention proposed that the community could be made more aware of the idea of citizenship by:

. Voluntary citizenship affirmation for all Australians

. Education

. Citizenship day

. Australians aged 16-17 years be allowed to vote on voluntary basis

For Convention Communique, delegates, issues papers and addresses, see: www.centenary.org.au

For further information, contact:

Ms Marian Schoen

Executive Director

Constitutional Centenary Foundation

Level 2-723 Swanston Street

Carlton VIC 3053

Tel: (03) 9349 1846

Fax: (03) 9349 1779

Email: ccf2001@ibm.net