REMEMBER WHEN

IT WAS a moment that shocked the police force and sent ripples through the community.

A female Gold Coast police officer was suspended without pay following an internal probe into allegations she worked as a prostitute while on the force.

The constable was called to appear before a disciplinary hearing chaired by Deputy Commissioner Bill Aldrich where she faced seven charges of misconduct.

The unnamed officer spoke to the Bulletin from her home and said the allegations were rubbish and that she would fight the charges.

A 300-page dossier was to be presented at the hearing as a result of a long investigation.

The allegations contained within it were tied with financial records, bank statements and rent payments.

It was alleged the woman had worked as a prostitute while living in a Surfers Paradise unit during November 1994.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Paul Keating unveiled his blueprint for Australia to become a republic.

Under Mr Keating’s proposal, the parliament would have the power to sack the Australian president, a reverse of the powers held by the Governor-General.

Mr Keating’s idea was taken up by the republic movement after Labor lost power in 1996 and became one of the major issues in the country throughout the late 1990s.

The Coalition government of John Howard pushed ahead with a referendum which was held in late 1999 when Australia voted to remain tied to the British crown.

The issue has been raised again in recent years.