Paul Kildea

In early December 2022 the Albanese government took another important step towards the referendum to constitutionally enshrine a First Nations Voice. It introduced into the House of Representatives the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Amendment Bill 2022. The Bill proposes numerous changes to referendum process, including new arrangements for public education and campaign finance.

Referendum process usually takes a backseat to substantive debates on constitutional change. That is understandable, but process matters now deserve a place in the spotlight. How Parliament approaches these machinery changes will influence how the public debate and campaign over the Voice unfolds. Getting the process right is essential if the Voice vote is to be fair and informed.

Megan Davis

The commitment by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to a referendum in his first term of government puts lawyers squarely in the frame of influence over the coming years. Referendums are rare in this country. The last one was in 1999, and the last successful referendum was in 1977. Referendums are one occasion that Australians do want to hear the views of lawyers. And this is a serious responsibility for all of us.

Megan Davis

Dane Luo

Last month, the Australian Republic Movement (ARM) published the Australian Choice Model – a model for a Australian republic where the Head of State would be elected by the Australian people every five years from a pool of candidates nominated by the Commonwealth, state and territory Parliaments.