1988 Referendum Law Notes PDF

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law notes about the 1988 referendum,...

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HANA SMAILBEGOVIC Rights and Freedoms The legislation sought to enshrine in the Australian constitution various civil rights, including freedom of religion, rights in relation to trials, and rights regarding the compulsory acquisition of property.

The "religious freedom" part of the proposed change was opposed by many churches and religious-affiliated schools concerned that it would be interpreted as requiring a level of church-state separation that would put public funding and government assistance for faith schools in jeopardy. Labor proposed this change. In September 1988, less than 31 percent of Australian voted in favour of a referendum question to strengthen religious freedom of the Constitution.

Issues of writ 25 July 1988

Polling day 3 September 1988

Obtained no majority in no State and an overall minority of 3,610,924 votes. To be successful, a double majority must be achieved this means: ● ●

A majority of voters (50 percent cent + 1) in the whole of Australia (including territories) must vote ‘yes’. And a majority of voters in a majority of states (four out of six) must vote ‘yes’ to the proposed change.

As a result the referendum was not successful as there was an overall minority of voters in the whole of Australia, but a no majority in no State....