FED: Mateship still under cloud in preamble following talks

AAP General News (Australia)
08-07-1999
FED: Mateship still under cloud in preamble following talks

References to mateship in the proposed preamble to the Australian constitution remain
uncertain following negotiations between the Democrats and Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD.

Democrats reconciliation spokesman ADEN RIDGEWAY has confirmed his party's against the use
of the term mateship in any preamble, but is refusing to be drawn on what alternative wording
it has in mind.

Senator RIDGEWAY has acknowledged negotiations are in the early stages, but says any final
decisions will be made by the partyroom.

He says the Democrats met with Mr HOWARD in the hope that a preamble could be drawn up as
part of a referendum question.

The fate of the preamble's inclusion as a second question in the November 6 referendum is
expected to be decided in the next few weeks.

AAP RTV pjg/tsm/kbw/wz/shm

KEYWORD: REPUBLIC RIDGEWAY (SYDNEY)

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