Media Release Republican Movement

Queen's Counsel Restoration Backwards Step: Republican Movement

17 June 2009

"The reinstatement of Queen’s Counsel is a backwards step for New Zealand. The Republican Movement is totally opposed to this move" said the chair of the Republican Movement, Lewis Holden.

Most members of the Commonwealth, including all states of Australia, now call their top lawyers Senior Counsel. The decision to reinstate the Imperial title puts New Zealand out of step with fellow Commonwealth members. It also puts all lawyers appointed as Senior Counsel in an awkward position amongst their peers.

"It is foolish in this day and age to be reclaiming the trappings the Empire when polls show most people believe that New Zealand will eventually become a republic.

"The move back to Queen's Counsel suggests an underlying view about New Zealand and its future. It indicates, despite growing republican sentiment, that the British monarch is to remain our head of State and New Zealand will forever be part of their realm. It is devoid of any vision for New Zealand's future as an independent member of the Commonwealth" concluded Mr Holden.

The Republican Movement

The Republican Movement is a network of New Zealanders who want our head of state to be elected by New Zealanders - either directly or indirectly.

We are committed to:

* involving all New Zealanders in the republic debate;

* providing relevant and reliable information;

* focusing on ideas, not personalities;

* winning a referendum to establish the republic;

Creating a republic does not require any change to the Treaty of Waitangi, flag or Commonwealth membership. For more information, see our website: www.republic.org.nz [1]

[1] http://www.republic.org.nz [2]

ENDS

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