For a proposed amendment to the Australian Constitution to become law, it must be approved by the Australian people in a referendum. Which of the following describes a specific requirement for such a vote to be successful?
- A 'double majority' must be reached, requiring a national majority of all voters plus a majority of voters in at least four out of the six states.Answer
- BThe change only requires a simple majority of more than 50% of the total number of voters across Australia.
- CVoting in a referendum is optional for all citizens, provided the proposal has already been passed by the Federal Parliament.
Answer
A 'double majority' must be reached, meaning a national majority of all voters across Australia and a majority of voters in at least four of the six states must agree to the change.
The correct answer identifies the 'double majority' requirement. Under Section 128 of the Australian Constitution, a proposed change must receive a 'Yes' vote from a majority of voters nationwide AND a majority of voters in at least four out of the six states (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania).
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The 'Double Majority' requirement in Australian referendums.
Hints
1
Think about the two different groups of people who must agree for the Constitution to be changed.
2
The requirement is called a 'double majority'. One part is a national majority; what is the second part?
3
To succeed, the 'Yes' vote must win in at least four of the six Australian states, in addition to the national total.
Practice More
Review how the double majority requirement protects smaller states from being over-ruled by larger states during constitutional changes.
Estimated Time:1m 15s