The process for conducting referendums in Australia should be brought into the modern age, according to a report of the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs released today.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 22 December 2021

The process for conducting referendums in Australia should be brought into the modern age, according to a report of the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs released today. In its report on constitutional reform and referendums, the Committee recommends amendments to modernise the legislation setting out the arrangements for referendums. The Committee also recommends the establishment of a new joint parliamentary committee to examine constitutional issues on an ongoing basis, and measures to strengthen awareness and understanding of the Constitution among school students and the wider community. Acting Chair of the Committee, Ms Sharon Claydon MP, said that changes to the referendum process were long overdue. ‘It has been over 20 years since the last referendum in Australia, and even longer since a comprehensive update to the referendum rules. This inquiry has highlighted the need to modernise the referendum process to ensure that Australians can go to the ballot box fully informed about any referendum question. It is critical that these changes are considered now, and not during the middle of a referendum campaign’, Ms Claydon said. ‘The Committee was also concerned about the low levels of understanding of the Constitution, and the lack of any established process of constitutional review. Through its recommendations, the Committee is seeking to kickstart the conversation about the Constitution, both in schools and communities and in the Parliament, to help ensure Australia has a more informed and engaged citizenry’. The report is available on the inquiry website. Media inquiries Office of Ms Sharon Claydon MP, Acting Chair of the Committee Tori Holliday 0416 462 843 Tori.Holliday@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2358 spla.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can, read submissions, find details of upcoming public hearings, and subscribe to receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will this week hold the fourth public hearing for its inquiry into constitutional reform and referendums.

Media release issue date: Monday, 1 November 2021

The House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will this week hold the fourth public hearing for its inquiry into constitutional reform and referendums. On Tuesday evening, the Committee will hear from officials who supported Ireland’s recent Constitutional Convention and Citizens’ Assembly processes. Chair of the Committee, Mr Andrew Wallace MP, said that the Committee is interested to learn more about international models of engaging and consulting the public on constitutional matters and proposals. ‘This hearing is an opportunity for the Committee to learn about the Irish experience of its Constitutional Convention held from 2012 to 2014, and the subsequent Citizens’ Assemblies held between 2016 and 2021. The Committee is keen to hear how these processes worked, how successful they were, and any lessons learnt that could inform consideration of future constitutional deliberations in Australia.’ Further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference and a program for the Committee’s hearing, is available on the inquiry webpage at: www.aph.gov.au/constitutionalreform. Public hearing details Date: Tuesday, 2 November 2021 Time: 7.30 pm to 8.30 pm (AEDT) Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Committee proceedings held in Parliament House are not currently open to the public. The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Office of Mr Andrew Wallace, Chair of Committee Mr Simon Thwaites Simon.Thwaites@aph.gov.au 0439 972 667 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2358 spla.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can, read submissions, find details of upcoming public hearings, and subscribe to receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

On Tuesday the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will hold the third public hearing for its inquiry into constitutional reform and referendums.

Media release issue date: Monday, 25 October 2021

On Tuesday the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will hold the third public hearing for its inquiry into constitutional reform and referendums. The Committee will speak with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to learn about its role in public education about referendums and the operational aspects of referendum delivery. Chair of the Committee, Mr Andrew Wallace MP, said it was necessary to inquire into the mechanics of referendums and whether the current legislation and processes were fit for purpose. ‘The Committee has heard from other Government agencies about the policy environment for constitutional reform. The AEC will be able to provide information on the delivery and mechanics of a referendum and how it engages and educates the public about these processes.’ Further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference and a program for the Committee’s hearing, is available on the inquiry webpage at: www.aph.gov.au/constitutionalreform. Public hearing details Date: Tuesday, 26 October 2021 Time: 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm (AEDT) Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Committee proceedings held in Parliament House are not currently open to the public. The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Office of Mr Andrew Wallace, Chair of Committee Mr Simon Thwaites Simon.Thwaites@aph.gov.au 0439 972 667 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2358 spla.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can, read submissions, find details of upcoming public hearings, and subscribe to receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will on Thursday hold the second public hearing for its inquiry into constitutional reform and referendums.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 6 October 2021

The House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will on Thursday hold the second public hearing for its inquiry into constitutional reform and referendums. The Committee will hear from the Department of Finance and the Department of Education, Skills and Employment to discuss the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984, and education and public awareness of the Constitution. Chair of the Committee, Mr Andrew Wallace MP, said: ‘Hearing from the Department of Finance will be a good opportunity to discuss whether amendments to the Referendum Act are needed to ensure that the processes for contemporary referendums remain fit for purpose.’ ‘The Committee is also looking forward to learning more from the Department of Education about civics education in schools and the broader population, and whether there is more that can be done to inform and motivate people about Australia’s Constitution. Engaging students and the wider public in constitutional matters is important to ensure that all Australians can cast an informed vote during a referendum.’ Further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference and a full program for the Committee’s hearing, is available on the inquiry webpage at www.aph.gov.au/constitutionalreform. Public hearing details Date: Thursday, 7 October 2021 Time: 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm (AEDT) Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Committee proceedings held in Parliament House are not currently open to the public. The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media enquiries Office of Mr Andrew Wallace, Chair of Committee Mr Simon Thwaites Simon.Thwaites@aph.gov.au 0439 972 667 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2358 spla.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can, read submissions, find details of upcoming public hearings, and subscribe to receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page. 

On Monday the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will hold its first public hearing for its inquiry into constitutional reform and referendums.

Media release issue date: Friday, 17 September 2021

On Monday the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will hold its first public hearing for its inquiry into constitutional reform and referendums. The Committee will hear from a range of witnesses, including academics, research institutes and the Attorney-General’s Department. The inquiry is considering ways to improve public awareness about the Australian Constitution, community consultation when amendments are proposed and current arrangements for the conduct of referendums. The Committee is inquiring into the conduct of referendums, rather than specific proposals for constitutional change. Chair of the Committee, Mr Andrew Wallace MP, said: ‘The last referendum to change the Australian Constitution was held in 1999. This fresh look at the process of constitutional reform in Australia will ensure that the conduct of referendums remain suitable for contemporary Australia.’ ‘The Committee looks forward to discussion with expert witnesses to hear their ideas on how the conduct of referendums could be modernised’. Further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, is available on the inquiry webpage at www.aph.gov.au/constitutionalreform. Public hearing details Date: Monday, 20 September 2021 Time: 9.00 am to 12.45 pm (Canberra time) A full program for the Committee’s hearing is available on the Committee’s website here. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Committee proceedings held in Parliament House are not currently open to the public. The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Office of Mr Andrew Wallace, Chair of Committee Mr Simon Thwaites Simon.Thwaites@aph.gov.au 0439 972 667 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2358 spla.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can, read submissions, find details of upcoming public hearings, and subscribe to receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

Parliamentary inquiry established to consider new ideas to engage and inform Australians about the Constitution and to examine the way in which referendums are conducted in Australia.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 24 June 2021

A parliamentary inquiry has been established to consider new ideas to engage and inform Australians about the Constitution and to examine the way in which referendums are conducted in Australia. The Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, Mr Andrew Wallace MP, said the inquiry would be an opportunity for a fresh look at the process of constitutional reform in Australia. ‘The period since 1999 has been the longest in Australia’s history without a referendum to change the Australian Constitution, so there will be many Australians of voting age who have no experience of voting in a referendum’, Mr Wallace said. ‘The Committee is keen to consider suggestions to involve more Australians in a conversation about the Constitution, including how best to consult the community on proposals for constitutional change before they are put to a referendum. The Committee will also consider the need to modernise the way in which referendums are conducted to ensure it remains appropriate in contemporary Australia’. ‘The inquiry is not about specific changes to the Constitution, but about ensuring that as a nation we can have informed discussion and debate about any proposals for constitutional change, and a fit-for-purpose referendum process to decide on them’. The Committee is accepting written submissions of no more than 4000 words until 6 August 2021. Further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, is available on the inquiry webpage at www.aph.gov.au/constitutionalreform. Information about making a submission is available on the Parliament of Australia webpage. Media enquiries Office of Mr Andrew Wallace, Chair of Committee Mr Simon Thwaites Simon.Thwaites@aph.gov.au 0439 972 667 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2358 spla.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can, read submissions, find details of upcoming public hearings, and subscribe to receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.