factors affecting the success of a referendum

    Cards (4)

    • Bi Partisan Support 'No' Campaign
      • the 1951 referendum was about giving the Commonwealth the ability to ban communist political parties was unsuccessful due to Labours ‘no’ campaign. 
    • Bipartisan Support 'Yes' Campaign
      • The 1967 referendum on recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as part of the population had bipartisan support.
    • Whether voters are seeking change
      • The 1967 referendum was seen to be a people’s movement, an advocacy for First Nations people speaking out against unfair treatment.
      • This referendum passed in all 6 states, with over 90% approval for the whole country. 
    • The Nature of the Proposal
      1988 REFERENDUM
      • It contained four different questions, three of which related to changing Australia’s political structure.
      • None of the questions passed. 
      • Furthermore, no states supported any of the proposals overall.
      The 1988 referendum was complex because:
      • Several referendum questions related to the mechanics of voting and elections in Australia. Voters who did not understand these issues may have voted no out of caution.
      • Asking four questions at the one time may have added to the confusion.
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