He said in a statement issued in Canberra that few would disagree that the distinction in law between illegitimate children and other children was invidious and should be abolished.

Because of constitutional limitations the federal government could not abolish the legal status of illegitimacy throughout Australia.

The legislation would therefore abolish the status under federal law and ordinances would be put to territorial legislators to give them the opportunity of approving the change.

Some state governments had already enacted their own legislation abolishing the status of illegitimacy.

Meanwhile, on the same day, the official opening of The Edwards History Centre at Canberra Grammar School was announced.

The centre was officially opened by the Vice Chancellor of the Australian National University, Professor Low. He unveiled a plaque which was covered by an Australian flag and said, "I hope it's one of the rare occasions I pull down the Australian flag".

See: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110830671