Green party MP Keith Locke is close to
completing his private members bill seeking a referendum on whether New Zealand
should replace the monarchy.
Mr. Locke said yesterday he had been
working on the legislation “Months”.
It was
coincidence he was likely to complete it so close to the Queen’s visit, he told
National Radio.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are
due to arrive tomorrow.
Mr. Locke said the monarchy did not
reflect New Zealand’s independent, multicultural nature.
Private member’s bills are drawn from a
ballot to be debated every second Wednesday.
If enacted, the bill would allow New
Zealanders to decide if they wanted the Monarchy. It would also discuss whether
a new head of state should be elected, or chosen by 75% of parliament.
Monarchist league of New Zealand
spokesman Noel Cox said he had no objection to a referendum, but republicans
had so far failed to justify the need for a change.