Civics & Citizenship · Year 5 · The Democratic Engine: How Australia Governs · Term 1

Changing the Constitution: Referendums

Investigating the process of changing the Australian Constitution through a referendum and historical examples.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9HASS5K01

About This Topic

Changing the Australian Constitution through a referendum requires a 'double majority': approval by more than half of voters nationwide and by a majority in at least four of the six states. Year 5 students investigate this process alongside historical examples, such as the 1967 referendum granting federal powers over Indigenous affairs and the 1999 proposal for an Australian republic that failed. These cases highlight how the Constitution, established in 1901, serves as the nation's foundational legal framework and adapts slowly to societal shifts.

This topic aligns with AC9HASS5K01 by building knowledge of democratic processes and civic engagement. Students analyze reasons for proposed changes, like expanding rights or modernizing governance, while critiquing challenges such as low voter turnout, misinformation, or state-federal tensions. Through this, they develop skills in evaluating evidence, forming arguments, and understanding why only eight of 44 referendums have succeeded.

Active learning benefits this topic because the referendum process feels distant and procedural until students experience it. Mock votes and debates make the double majority tangible, helping students connect historical events to their own decision-making and grasp persuasion's role in democracy.

Key Questions

1. Explain the process of a constitutional referendum in Australia.
2. Analyze the reasons why a country might need to change its foundational rules.
3. Critique the challenges and successes of past Australian referendums.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the steps involved in a constitutional referendum in Australia, including the requirement for a double majority.
• Analyze the motivations behind historical attempts to change the Australian Constitution, such as the 1967 and 1999 referendums.
• Critique the factors that contribute to the success or failure of Australian referendums, using evidence from past examples.
• Compare the arguments for and against a proposed constitutional change in a simulated referendum scenario.

Before You Start

Branches of Government in Australia

Why: Students need to understand the roles of the Parliament and the High Court to comprehend how the Constitution functions and why changes are proposed.

Democratic Processes and Voting

Why: Prior knowledge of how elections work, including the concept of voting, is essential for understanding the mechanics of a referendum.

Key Vocabulary

Referendum	A national vote where the entire electorate is asked to vote 'Yes' or 'No' on a proposed change to the Constitution.
Constitution	The set of rules and principles that defines how Australia is governed, including the powers of the Parliament and the rights of citizens.
Double Majority	The requirement for a referendum to pass: a majority of voters nationwide AND a majority of voters in at least four out of the six states.
Electorate	All the people in Australia who are entitled to vote in an election or referendum.
Amendment	A formal change or addition made to a law or document, in this case, the Australian Constitution.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Parliament alone can change the Constitution.

What to Teach Instead

Section 128 mandates a referendum for amendments. Role-playing parliamentary vs. public votes clarifies this separation of powers. Students see how simulations reveal the deliberate slowness of change, building accurate civic knowledge.

Common Misconception

A national majority vote always passes a referendum.

What to Teach Instead

The double majority rule requires state approvals too. Mock referendums with 'state' groups demonstrate this, as students experience national wins failing due to state divides, correcting oversimplifications through hands-on trials.

Common Misconception

Referendums are quick and easy processes.

What to Teach Instead

They involve years of debate and campaigns. Timeline activities and debates expose the complexity, helping students appreciate historical contexts and why most fail, via collaborative evidence analysis.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: Classroom Referendum

Propose a class rule change, like extending recess. Divide into campaign teams to create posters and speeches. Hold a vote tracking national (class) and state (table group) majorities. Discuss outcomes and barriers.

45 min·Small Groups

Jigsaw: Key Referendums

Assign groups one historical referendum (e.g., 1967, 1999). Research process, arguments, and result using provided sources. Regroup to teach peers and build a class chart of patterns.

35 min·Small Groups

Formal Debate: Amendment Proposal

Pairs brainstorm a modern Constitution change, like youth voting age. Prepare pros/cons arguments. Whole class debates, then votes in a mock referendum format.

40 min·Pairs

Timeline Challenge: Referendum History

Individuals or pairs sequence eight referendums on a template. Add reasons for success or failure. Share in gallery walk to identify trends.

30 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Citizens can participate directly in democracy by voting in referendums, influencing the fundamental laws of the country. For example, the 1967 referendum on Indigenous Australians' rights involved millions of voters across the nation.
• Political scientists and historians analyze referendum results to understand public opinion and the effectiveness of democratic processes. They study voting patterns and campaign strategies to explain why certain proposals succeed or fail, like the 1999 republic referendum.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Provide students with a scenario of a proposed constitutional change. Ask them to write two sentences explaining who would need to vote 'Yes' for it to pass, referencing the 'double majority' concept.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Why might it be difficult for Australians to agree on changing the Constitution?' Facilitate a class discussion, guiding students to consider the 'double majority' and the diverse opinions within the country.

Quick Check

Present students with a list of historical referendums. Ask them to identify which ones were successful and which failed, and to briefly state one reason for the outcome based on class discussions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the process for changing the Australian Constitution?

A bill passes both houses of Parliament, then goes to a referendum. Voters need a national majority over 50% and majorities in four states. The Governor-General proclaims changes if successful. This protects against hasty alterations, ensuring broad support across diverse regions.

Why have most Australian referendums failed?

Of 44 referendums, only eight passed due to factors like unclear proposals, partisan divides, or state interests overriding national ones. Examples include 1999's republic vote, split by monarchy preferences. Students benefit from analyzing primary sources to see voter psychology and strategy impacts.

How does active learning help teach referendums?

Simulations like mock votes let students navigate double majorities firsthand, making abstract rules concrete. Debates build persuasion skills mirroring campaigns, while jigsaws foster peer teaching of history. These approaches boost retention and critical thinking over lectures, as students link processes to real stakes.

What are key historical examples of referendums?

The 1967 referendum succeeded by removing discriminatory clauses on Indigenous people, gaining 90% support. The 1901 state debt referendum passed early on. Failures like 1977's simultaneous elections show persistent challenges. Examining these builds context for why change is rare but significant.