Effectiveness Of Referendums

Question 1

People’s choice

Answer 1

One advantage of referendums is that only the people can decide if the wording of the constitution will be changed. The Constitution can only be changed if a majority of the electors in Australia and a majority of electors in a majority of states agree to the change.

Question 2

Conservative

Answer 2

Many changes that appear to have merit may not be successful because people are often conservative when it comes to voting for change. Most changes that have been successful have related to minor changes to the Constitution. Voters are less willing to vote ‘yes’ to major changes. This means that even if a major change would be beneficial many people will probably vote no due to their conservative nature.

Question 3

Thorough

Answer 3

Changing the constitution is a lengthy and thorough process. The lengthy process involved in changing the Constitution protects the Constitution from changes being proposed that have not been thoroughly considered and do not have overwhelming support.

Question 4

Compulsory

Answer 4

Voting in referendums is compulsory for all citizens over 18. The views of the community as a whole are more likely to be represented in a referendum because voting is compulsory.

Question 5

Cost

Answer 5

Changing the constitution is very expensive as it requires a referendum. it is very costly to put a referendum to the people. The cost of the 1999 referendum was over 60 million.

Question 6

Difficulty

Answer 6

Double majority – It is very difficult to
achieve this. While 13 of the 44 referendum proposals received the support of a majority of Australian voters overall, five of these did not satisfy the majority of voters in a majority of states provision.

Question 7

3 pros

Answer 7

People’s choice
Thorough
Compulsory

Question 8

3 cons

Answer 8

Costly
Double majority
Conservative