4.2.10 - Factors that effect the success of a referendum

Question 1

factors that effect the success of a referendum

Answer 1

• cost and complexity
• multi-party support
• clarity and understanding
• magnitude of change
• conflicting values
• wariness of power

Question 2

cost and complexity

Answer 2

• A referendum is costly, both time and money

Question 3

multi-party support

Answer 3

• Referendum proposals are more likely to be successful if there is bipartisan agreement (i.e. both major parties support the change)
• If the vote in parliament is unanimously a NO, booklet won’t be distributed to the people

Question 4

clarity and understanding

Answer 4

• Legal issues involved in referendum proposals can be confusing for the public
• There can be conflicting claims about the future consequences of a change
• If the public are unsure of the meaning of the change of the wording or of the impact of the change on government or their rights, they tend to vote NO

Question 5

magnitude of change

Answer 5

• Australian voters are more likely to be conservative about changing the constitution
• Most people believe we have a relatively high standard of living and prefer to maintain the current status rather than risk what a change might bring

Question 6

wariness of power

Answer 6

• Federation of Australia brought together colonies who wanted to maintain their rights and individual autonomy
• Difficult to convince the majority of the population to give more power to the federal government

Question 6

conflicting values

Answer 6

• Over time it is increasingly difficult to find an issue that the Australian people all agree on
• Public and political debate is less based on compromise
• Australia is a diverse country with many different views and values
• The role of the media and social media can increase the divide between people