Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumThe Double Majority Requirement

In a national referendum to change the Australian Constitution, the final count shows that 62%62\% of all voters across the country voted 'Yes'. The 'Yes' vote also achieved a majority in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland, but failed to reach a majority in the other three states. What is the result of this referendum?

  1. The proposal is rejected because a majority of voters in at least four states did not vote 'Yes'.Answer
  2. B
    The proposal is successful because more than half of the total number of voters in Australia supported the change.
  3. C
    The proposal is successful because it achieved a majority in half of the states and a strong national majority.

Answer

The proposal is rejected because it failed to achieve a majority of voters in at least four out of the six states.
The correct answer identifies that the referendum fails. Under Section 128 of the Australian Constitution, a change only passes if it achieves a 'double majority': a majority of voters nationally and a majority of voters in at least four of the six states. In this scenario, although the national majority was high (62%62\%), only three states voted 'Yes', meaning the second half of the requirement was not fulfilled.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Check the national majority requirement.
The proposal received 62%62\% of the national vote, which is more than 50%50\%. The first requirement is met.
To pass, a referendum must first achieve a majority of all voters across Australia (including territories).
2
Check the state majority requirement.
The proposal achieved a majority in 3 states (NSW, VIC, QLD). Since there are 6 states, a majority is at least 4. This requirement is not met.
The 'double majority' rule specifically requires a majority of voters in a majority of states (4 out of 6).
3
Determine the final outcome.
Since both requirements were not met (only the national majority was achieved), the referendum fails.
Both the national majority and the state majority must be achieved for the Constitution to be changed.

Key Concept

The Double Majority Requirement

Hints

1
Remember that changing the Constitution requires a 'double majority'.
2
The 'double majority' involves two separate counts: the total national votes and the number of states that voted 'Yes'.
3
How many states are there in Australia, and how many of them must vote 'Yes' for a majority?

Practice More

Review how voters in the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory are counted in a referendum.
Estimated Time:1m 15s
Rate this question

Topics

The Double Majority Requirement

More questions from this topic