"Using an example that you have studied, outline one successful referendum including the process involved."
In order for a referendum to begin, a problem or issue must arise that requires the wording of the constitution changing. Prior to May, 1967 the ability to make laws regarding Indigenous Australians were a residual power and left with the states. This was due to Section 51 (xxvi) stating that the Commonwealth could 'make laws for any race, other than Aboriginal race' and S127 that prevents them from being included in the census. This meant that Indigenous people were not counted as part of our population and did not receive funding provided based on a per capita basis. However at the time, Indigenous people were considered citizens and had the right to vote.
In order for the constitution to be amended, an Constitution Alteration bill needed to be drafted and pass federal parliament like any other bill. That means it needs to receive majority support from both Houses. Here, members of the Houses voted in support of the amendment and the proposal was put to the Australian people.
On May, 1967, the people of Australia were asked whether they wanted the Commonwealth to have the ability to legislate on matters for Aboriginals and whether they should be included in the census.
To successfully amend the constitution, a major hurdle needs to be achieve referred to as a double majority. This means more than 50% of Australia's population must agree to the change and at least 4 out of 6 states must also support it. The outcome of this referendum in 1967 received overwhelming support. An approximate total of 90.77% of Australian voted in favour of amending the Constitution.
As a result of achieving the double majority, the bill was given royal assent and the Constitution was amended according to the desire of the people seeking change. As a result of this successful referendum, s127 was completely removed, certain phrases of S51 (xxvi) were deleted thus changing the wording of the Constitution. What this meant was that what was once a residual power (only resting with the States) was now a concurrent power whereby the Commonwealth could share the law making aspect. This altered the division of powers as law making by Commonwealth parliament was increased providing the ability for Commonwealth parliament to assist with funding aspects of Indigenous areas such as health, employment and education.
In order for a referendum to begin, a problem or issue must arise that requires the wording of the constitution changing. Prior to May, 1967 the ability to make laws regarding Indigenous Australians were a residual power and left with the states. This was due to Section 51 (xxvi) stating that the Commonwealth could 'make laws for any race, other than Aboriginal race' and S127 that prevents them from being included in the census. This meant that Indigenous people were not counted as part of our population and did not receive funding provided based on a per capita basis. However at the time, Indigenous people were considered citizens and had the right to vote.
In order for the constitution to be amended, an Constitution Alteration bill needed to be drafted and pass federal parliament like any other bill. That means it needs to receive majority support from both Houses. Here, members of the Houses voted in support of the amendment and the proposal was put to the Australian people.
On May, 1967, the people of Australia were asked whether they wanted the Commonwealth to have the ability to legislate on matters for Aboriginals and whether they should be included in the census.
To successfully amend the constitution, a major hurdle needs to be achieve referred to as a double majority. This means more than 50% of Australia's population must agree to the change and at least 4 out of 6 states must also support it. The outcome of this referendum in 1967 received overwhelming support. An approximate total of 90.77% of Australian voted in favour of amending the Constitution.
As a result of achieving the double majority, the bill was given royal assent and the Constitution was amended according to the desire of the people seeking change. As a result of this successful referendum, s127 was completely removed, certain phrases of S51 (xxvi) were deleted thus changing the wording of the Constitution. What this meant was that what was once a residual power (only resting with the States) was now a concurrent power whereby the Commonwealth could share the law making aspect. This altered the division of powers as law making by Commonwealth parliament was increased providing the ability for Commonwealth parliament to assist with funding aspects of Indigenous areas such as health, employment and education.