Sydney - An Australian state premier disagreed yesterday with an article in the official Sydney Olympics programme criticising Australians as weak and inept for voting against a republic last year, but said different points of view should "flourish".
The article, written by art critic Robert Hughes, has sparked outrage among monarchists who have written to the International Olympic Committee president, Mr Juan Antonio Samaranch, demanding the programme be withdrawn from sale. But the New South Wales State Premier, Mr Bob Carr, said free speech was an important part of Australia's democracy.