A matter of sport - Republicans exploit 2000 Olympics

Sport is no longer the gentle and courteous athletics of earlier generations. Today sport embraces the typical aggressive business tactics and political machinations of the multi million dollar commercial enterprise it has become.

The Australian Monarchist League welcomes the Olympics. We welcome the opportunity to show Sydney to the World. However what we do not welcome is the unprecedented assertion by Prime Minister Howard that the Prime Minister of the day (meaning himself) - and not The Queen or the Governor-General - should open the Games.

We do not also welcome the decree by the Chief of the Australian Olympic Games Mr John Coates to the effect that should the Australian National Flag not be changed by the time of the 2000 Olympics the Australian Olympic Committee will use one of their own designs on Olympic uniforms to appease those Athletes who oppose the Union Jack.

It appears that for the sake of a few disgruntled people, not only is our Sovereign to be pushed aside, but now apparently so is the Flag. Obviously the fact that The People have still to decide both on their Constitutional future and on any alteration to the Flag is of no consequence whatsoever to either the Prime Minister or the Olympic Committee.

However it is of consequence to us and once again we must combat this continuation of Republicanism by Stealth.

We appeal to members and supporters – and indeed to anyone who cares – to write to the Prime Minister and the Olympics Chief putting forward your objections on these two issues. No more can we allow these people – or anyone else - to belittle our Queen and to denigrate our traditions:

Hon. John Howard MP Prime Minister Office of the Prime Minister Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Phone: 02 6277 7700 Fax: 02 6273 4100 Mr John Coates AO President Australian Olympic Committee Level 27 - 2 Chiffley Square Sydney NSW 2000 Phone: 02 9247 2000 Fax: 02 9223 0036