changing a constitution-referendum

Question 1

What are the requirements for passing a referendum?

Answer 1

• approval from the Cth houses of Parliament
• double majority

Question 2

What section sets out the process of changing the constitution?

Answer 2

Section 128 of the Aus Constitution

Question 3

What is an absolute majority?

Answer 3

More than half of the total members of the Senate or House of reps agree, regardless of attendance. This means 76 in the HoR and 39 in the Senate.

Question 4

Approval from the Cth houses of Parliament

Answer 4

• Proposed change must be written into a Constitution Alteration Bill
• It must be passed by an absolute majority in both Houses of Parliament
• If one house rejects the proposal, after a period of 3 months the first house again must pass the bill with absolute majority and it is able to be passed then with consent of the Gov-General (deadlock provision)

Question 5

Double majority

Answer 5

• Between 2 to 6 months after passing thru Parliament (thru either method), proposal must be submitted to a referendum of all voters in Aus
• The changes are expressed to the public as a yes/no question and the vote must achieve a double majority
• A double majority is a vote of yes from a majority of voters in Australia (including territories) and a majority of voters in a majority of states (ie. over half the voters in 4/6 states)

Question 6

What happens if a referendum passes a double majority?

Answer 6

• the proposal is then submitted to the gov general for royal assent
• once this is received, the wording of the Constitution is changed