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Resources What is a Referendum?
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What is a Referendum?

Jessica Johnston
Last edited: April 5, 2023

This ANTAR Factsheet outlines what constitutes a referendum – a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote by which the Australian people give their consent to make changes to the Constitution.

Referendums are the only way to change the Australian Constitution, with the understanding that this ‘people power’ can be used – at least in theory – to keep the Constitution up to date with contemporary best practice as well as popular values. As we will see, this appropriate and often elusive balance between stability and flexibility has not been struck for various reasons, not least of which is the colonial history and racist underpinnings of the Australian Constitution itself.