Australian Referendum of 1999 by Armaan Ghosh

jodaeikou — 2024-10-30 02:06:03 UTC

The 1999 referendum was a bill to alter the constitution and make Australia a republic, replacing the governor general/crown with a president. this referendum also wanted Australia to insert a preamble (introductory part of a statute or deed, stating its purpose, aims and justification)

ghosharm — 2024-10-30 02:14:12 UTC

The outcome of the first question was against the referendum. It did not achieve a full "double majority".
The same outcome was achieved for the second question. The preamble question also did not receive "double majority" nor did it receive a majority of votes from the states for constitutional change .

jodaeikou — 2024-10-30 02:16:33 UTC

For the campaign:

This campaign was heavily led by now former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull. He argued that it was an issue of principal and national pride. He then supported this by saying our president should be a resident, which was referring to how the head of state should be an Australian.

Yes campaigners at the time said it would make the country more democratic and bring a 'maturity' to the country.

former prime ministers Bob Hawke, Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Frasier also supported it.

Those who supported campaign didnt necessarily want the Preamble to pass that was added by Howard.

ghosharm — 2024-10-30 02:22:12 UTC

What is the importance of this referendum?

This referendum was an important stepping stool for Australia in their journey to separate themselves from the British.
Australian people wanted a republic but they were unsure about what type of republic thus the votes vary.

jodaeikou — 2024-10-30 02:22:43 UTC

Against the campaign:

Mix of monarchists and those who didn't want elitists.

many thought it wasn't going to change much so it wasn't worth passing.

system proposed would create a politicians republic, believed to be undemocratic.

Howard voted no as he believed country was better off with the current system.

ghosharm — 2024-10-30 02:29:54 UTC

I would go against it because the republic model proposed by The Convention was considered to be weak and not helpful to the country. The president would have been appointed by the politicians instead of the people they are supposed to represent. This would have caused a huge imbalance between the people and their representatives.

jodaeikou — 2024-10-30 02:31:26 UTC

Kourosh - Personally I really would not mind Australia being a republic, however from the research I have done it seems they did not propose enough of a change in the referendum so it lost the campaign. England really has no power over Australia these days anyway. So, I would support this referendum currently if it was going to offer enough of a change to our society. however i don't believe that the preamble was necessary so I would vote no for the preamble