How many referendums has australia had since 1901

Electors vote by writing 'yes' or 'no' in the box opposite each question. Referendums asking people to say 'yes' or 'no' to the proposed Australian Constitution were held in each of the Australian colonies between and This was one of the most important steps in the process of Federation. It was also the first time in the world that a national constitution had been submitted to the people's vote. The Constitutional Convention agreed that before proceeding with Federation, the Constitution for governing the new nation should have 'the approval of the people'.

The intention to seek this approval through referendums was established at the Corowa people's convention in The people's convention also resolved that there should be a new Constitutional Convention composed of popularly elected delegates. In order to put the Corowa Plan into action, each colony was required to pass an Enabling Act to enable the elections and referendums to be held. In elections for members of the new Constitutional Convention were held in all the colonies with the exception of Queensland, where Parliament could not agree on the enabling legislation, and Western Australia, where Parliament elected its own delegates.

When the Convention completed its work on the Constitution in , the referendum process began. The referendum was a new idea at the time of Federation. The referendum must take place between 2 and 6 months after the bill is passed.

Before the referendum is held, members of parliament prepare arguments for or against the proposed change. These are sent to the Australian Electoral Commission AEC , which is in charge of running federal elections and referendums. The AEC arranges for the 'Yes' and 'No' cases, along with a statement of the proposed change, to be posted to every Australian on the electoral roll.

On polling day , the voting process is similar to that used for federal elections, in which polling places are set up at schools and other public buildings around the country.

Each voter's name is marked off the electoral roll and they are given a ballot paper. Voters then write 'Yes' or 'No' in a box opposite the proposed change on their ballot paper.

A referendum is only passed if it is approved by a majority of voters across the nation and a majority of voters in a majority of states—this is known as a double majority. Territory voters are only counted in the national majority.

In Australia, a plebiscite also known as an advisory referendum is used to decide a national question that does not affect the Constitution. It can be used to test whether the government has enough public to go ahead with a proposed action. Unlike a referendum, the decision reached in a plebiscite does not have any legal force. Australia has held 2 national plebiscites, in and , relating to the introduction of conscription during the First World War.

Even if a "self-executing" plebiscite is excluded, it is perfectly possible for the precise wording of the proposed change to the Marriage Act to be worked out and publicised in advance, so that interested people could know precisely what they were voting on.

At present there is a period commonly called "daylight saving" by which time is advanced by one hour for the period commencing on the last Sunday in October in each year and ending on the first Sunday in March in the following year. If in favour place the word "YES" in the square opposite the question. If not in favour place the word "NO" in the square opposite the question. It may be worth noting that section doesn't use the words "referendum" or "plebiscite" at all - it just says that proposals for constitutional alteration have to be "submitted to the electors".

The decision to use the word "referendum" for the votes under s was made by whoever drafted the first Referendum Constitution Alteration Act in But as you say the two words mean the same thing - all this business about referendum meaning one thing and plebiscite another which, as you point out, is not followed in the practice of the States anyway is just made up by people who like to invent distinctions and then be pedantic about them.

I liked Clarke and Dawe's definition last night: plebiscite means "cave in to your own right wing". But of course if we called the proposed, and quite unnecessary, vote a "non-binding referendum" that would still apply. I absolutely agree with your assertion that the words "plebiscite" and "referendum" mean the same thing. Nitpickers who claim there is a difference, are the worst kind of nitpickers, the nitpickers who are wrong.

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. But what to call the national vote? Victoria 1 Hotel closing hours Queensland 3 Prohibition , Religious instruction in schools Daylight Saving Western Australia 9 Daylight saving , , , Shop Trading Hours two questions in Prohibition , Local option on hotel trading Secession South Australia 5 Payment of members Hotel closing hours State lotteries Shop trading hours Daylight saving Tasmania 3 Hotel licencing Casino Where to dam the Franklin River ACT 3 Self-government Electoral system Electoral system entrenchment Northern Territory 1 Statehood Comments Isn't it possible for the enabling legislation to be written as an amendment to the Marriage Act which will come into force only if the referendum is carried?

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Drought-stricken Queensland comes alive after drenching. It is important that the referendum is not perceived as owned either by politicians or the elite, but by the nation as a whole. The success of the referendum reflects the high level of participation of all Australians in the process leading up to the referendum.

The widespread consensus generated by years of campaigning and extensive national debate contributed to a sense of public ownership. Past referendums have demonstrated that greater understanding among the Australian public of the issues being proposed increases the chances of a yes vote.

Despite the technical nature of the amendments, significant advocacy efforts and the clarity of message in the referendum mobilised the Australian population to vote yes.