Why are referendums important

The referendum must take place between 2 and 6 months after the bill is passed. Before the referendum is held, members of parliament prepare arguments for or against the proposed change. These are sent to the Australian Electoral Commission AEC , which is in charge of running federal elections and referendums. The AEC arranges for the 'Yes' and 'No' cases, along with a statement of the proposed change, to be posted to every Australian on the electoral roll. On polling day , the voting process is similar to that used for federal elections, in which polling places are set up at schools and other public buildings around the country.

Each voter's name is marked off the electoral roll and they are given a ballot paper. Voters then write 'Yes' or 'No' in a box opposite the proposed change on their ballot paper. A referendum is only passed if it is approved by a majority of voters across the nation and a majority of voters in a majority of states—this is known as a double majority. Territory voters are only counted in the national majority.

In Australia, a plebiscite also known as an advisory referendum is used to decide a national question that does not affect the Constitution. It can be used to test whether the government has enough public to go ahead with a proposed action. Unlike a referendum, the decision reached in a plebiscite does not have any legal force.

Australia has held 2 national plebiscites, in and , relating to the introduction of conscription during the First World War. Both were defeated. No specific rules exist about the running of a plebiscite. If another plebiscite is conducted, the Parliament will decide on how it is run. Since there have been 19 referendums, proposing 44 changes to the Constitution; only 8 changes have been agreed to.

The legislation will also contain rules for advertising that supports or opposes the possible outcomes of the referendum, including caps on spending. You could vote on whether the recreational use of cannabis should become legal. You could also vote on whether the End of Life Choice Act should come into force, giving people with a terminal illness the option of requesting assisted dying.

Find out more about the referendums in Seek a referendum - New Zealand Parliament. Guide for petitions - New Zealand Parliament. Skip to main content Skip to navigation within this section. Home About elections What is a referendum? About elections. Citizens initiated referendum Any New Zealand citizen can start the process for a nationwide referendum.

Across the University of Birmingham, we are working with industry partners to share knowledge and turn theory, through experimentation, into real-world applications, which will develop the technologies and infrastructure needed to decarbonise the energy and transport sectors.

Working with government, industry and international partners our research is solving societal issues and addressing challenges relating to energy poverty, the circular economy, transport systems, cooling, hydrogen, energy storage and the decarbonisation of heat. The Centre for Urban Wellbeing brings together academics from across the University of Birmingham to tackle global challenges to community health and wellbeing. The University of Birmingham has established a Birmingham Plastics Network, an interdisciplinary team of more than 40 academics working together to shape the fate and sustainable future of plastics.

We are investigating the impacts of climate change on forests and water, people and our planet seeking sustainable solutions to real world crises. Developing the use of sensors and clocks in innovative, ground-breaking technologies to change the future landscapes of healthcare, transport, defence, civil engineering and more. Academia partnering with business, investigating, developing and co-creating robust and innovative solutions to achieve responsible business success.

Building the foundations for a more responsible and sustainable future. We are working with partners across the globe to understand how to save lives at risk from poor air quality.

Challenging established views and policy responses to migration and its impact on societies in a rapidly changing world. Birmingham academics work on major issues in international ethics and global justice and train the next generation of students to tackle these issues. Birmingham has been at the forefront of transplants since the pioneering work of Sir Peter Medawar.

Our researchers are continuing his legacy. We explore what it means to be human — in historical and cultural contexts, within ethical and legal norms and through languages and communication. From atoms to astronomy, computers to cars and robots to robust materials, our goal is to transform our understanding of the world to make life easier, healthier and more sustainable.

Across the breadth of life and environmental sciences, we discover, apply and translate science to forge major advances in human and environmental health. We address the challenges facing society and the economy, from shedding light on the refugee crisis, to character education in schools, through to developing leaders in the NHS.

Political division in both the UK and Colombia has been markedly intensified by the campaigns there. The referendum, as an instrument of political decision-making, has been the source of much consternation in