CitizenCoach
Get started

Referenda

11 questions on referenda, part of Government and the law in Australia. Every answer is drawn from Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond.

Q1easy

In the 1967 Referendum, what did more than 90 per cent of Australians vote ‘Yes’ to allow?

  • AAboriginal peoples to be counted in the CensusCorrect
  • BA new national flag to be adopted
  • CAustralia to become a republic
  • DThe voting age to be lowered

The fact states that in the 1967 Referendum, more than 90 per cent of Australians voted ‘Yes’ to allow Aboriginal peoples to be counted in the Census.

Q2medium

A student is preparing a presentation about Australian referenda and says, “There was a referendum in 1967 where over 90 per cent of Australians supported counting Aboriginal peoples in the Census.” Which event is the student describing?

  • AThe 1967 ReferendumCorrect
  • BThe first federal election
  • CThe creation of the High Court
  • DThe federation of Australia

The student’s statement matches the fact: in the 1967 Referendum, more than 90 per cent of Australians voted ‘Yes’ to allow Aboriginal peoples to be counted in the Census.

Q3hard

What does the result of the 1967 Referendum show about the level of support for allowing Aboriginal peoples to be counted in the Census?

  • AIt had very strong support, with more than 90 per cent voting ‘Yes’.Correct
  • BIt had little support, with fewer than 10 per cent voting ‘Yes’.
  • CIt was evenly divided, with about half voting ‘Yes’.
  • DIt was rejected because most Australians voted ‘No’.

The fact says more than 90 per cent of Australians voted ‘Yes’ in the 1967 Referendum, which shows very strong support for allowing Aboriginal peoples to be counted in the Census.

Q4easy

What is required for the Australian Constitution to be changed by referendum?

  • AA double majorityCorrect
  • BA simple majority only
  • CApproval by one state only
  • DA decision by local councils

The fact states that a referendum requires a double majority for the Australian Constitution to be changed.

Q5medium

A referendum is held about changing the Australian Constitution. The proposal does not achieve a double majority. What happens according to the requirement described?

  • AThe Constitution is not changedCorrect
  • BThe Constitution is changed automatically
  • CThe change is decided by local governments
  • DThe result is ignored and the change proceeds

Because changing the Australian Constitution by referendum requires a double majority, a proposal that does not achieve a double majority would not change the Constitution.

Q6easy

In a referendum, what does a double majority require?

  • AA majority of voters in a majority of states to vote for the changeCorrect
  • BAll voters in every state to vote for the change
  • CA majority of voters in only one state to vote for the change
  • DParliament to approve the change without voters

The fact states that a double majority requires a majority of voters in a majority of states to vote for the change.

Q7medium

A proposed change is put to voters in a referendum. It receives support from a majority of voters in a majority of states. Based on the rule for a double majority, what does this mean?

  • AIt meets the stated double majority requirementCorrect
  • BIt fails because every state must have a majority in favour
  • CIt fails because only Parliament can decide a referendum result
  • DIt meets the requirement only if no voters oppose it

A double majority requires a majority of voters in a majority of states to vote for the change. In the scenario, that requirement is met.

Q8hard

Which statement best explains the concept of a double majority in a referendum?

  • AThe change needs majority support among voters across a majority of statesCorrect
  • BThe change needs unanimous support from voters in all states
  • CThe change needs support from a majority of state governments rather than voters
  • DThe change needs approval from voters in the largest state only

The concept of a double majority is that a majority of voters in a majority of states must vote for the change.

Q9easy

In a referendum, what does a double majority require regarding voters across Australia?

  • AA majority of voters across the nation must vote for the change.Correct
  • BOnly voters in one state must vote for the change.
  • CThe Governor-General must approve the change without a vote.
  • DAll voters across the nation must vote for the change.

The fact states that a double majority requires a majority of voters across the nation to vote for the change.

Q10medium

A proposed referendum change receives support from fewer than half of voters across Australia. Based on the stated requirement, what does this mean for the double majority?

  • AIt has not met the requirement that a majority of voters across the nation vote for the change.Correct
  • BIt has met the requirement because any level of national support is enough.
  • CIt has met the requirement if the proposal was discussed in Parliament.
  • DIt has not met the requirement only if no voters supported the change.

A double majority requires a majority of voters across the nation to vote for the change. If fewer than half support it nationally, that requirement is not met.

Q11hard

Which statement best describes the national voting requirement included in a double majority for a referendum change?

  • AMore than half of voters across the nation must vote in favour of the change.Correct
  • BA majority of voters across the nation must vote against the change.
  • CThe result depends only on whether the proposal is popular in the capital city.
  • DThe change can pass nationally without majority support from voters across Australia.

The fact explains that a double majority requires a majority of voters across the nation to vote for the change, meaning national majority support is required.

← Raising matters with representativesSeparation of powers →
Feedback