constitutional reform

• Recognising First Nation's People

  1. Establish a First Nations Voice to Parliament

  This would be an advisory body enshrined, allowing First Nations people to give advice to the Commonwealth Parliament. 

  • This would be on policies and laws of direct impact. 
  • Body would be chosen by First Nations people.

  1. To honour and recognise First Nations people in the Constitution. 

  For example, the 1999 referendum propose a preamble to the Constitution to ‘honour Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, the nation’s first people’. This was unsuccessful. 
• To reform Australia’s political system - preventing short-sighted policies

  1. Timing of Federal Elections

  The House of Representatives have a term of up to 3 years (but can be called earlier). Worldwide, other parliaments have longer terms, such as four years in the UK. 

  
  

  A referendum was held in 1988 to increase this length to four years, but was unsuccessful. A 2004 parliamentary committee recommended a four year term in order to encourage long term policy making and use fewer resources. 
• To Reform Australia's Political System - Republic

  1. Becoming a Republic 

  There have been calls to remove Australia from the Commonwealth and become a republic. This means that an Australian person would be the head of state, rather than a King’s representative. 

  However, the 1999 referendum failed.