A proposal to amend the Australian Constitution is put to a referendum. The following table summarizes the voting results across the nation:
| Region | Majority Vote Result |
|---|---|
| National Total | **Yes ()** |
| New South Wales | Yes |
| Victoria | Yes |
| Queensland | Yes |
| South Australia | No |
| Western Australia | No |
| Tasmania | No |
| Australian Capital Territory | Yes () |
| Northern Territory | Yes () |
Based on these results and the requirements set out in the Australian Constitution, what is the outcome for the proposed amendment?
- The amendment fails because it did not achieve a 'Yes' vote in a majority of the states, despite achieving a national majority.Cevap
- BThe amendment passes because it achieved a majority of the total national vote, which is the primary requirement for constitutional change.
- CThe amendment passes because the combined 'Yes' votes from three states and two territories satisfy the requirement for a majority of Australian jurisdictions.
Cevap
The amendment fails because it did not achieve a 'Yes' vote in a majority of the states, despite achieving a national majority.
The correct answer identifies that the referendum fails. Under Section 128 of the Constitution, an amendment must receive a 'double majority': more than of all voters nationwide AND a majority of voters in at least four of the six states. In this scenario, while the national majority () was met, only three states (New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland) voted 'Yes.' Since three is not a majority of the six states, the referendum fails. The high 'Yes' votes in the territories count toward the national total but do not help meet the state-majority requirement.
Adım Adım Çözüm
Anahtar Kavram
The Double Majority Requirement for Constitutional Change
İpuçları
1
Recall that a referendum requires a 'double majority' to pass. Check if both conditions were met in the table.
2
There are exactly six states in Australia. How many of those six must vote 'Yes' for the 'majority of states' requirement to be satisfied?
3
Residents of the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory have their votes counted in the national total, but do they count as 'states' when calculating the majority of states?
Daha Fazla Pratik
Review the 1977 Constitutional Referendum which allowed territory residents to vote in referendums for the first time.
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