THE AUSTRALIAN MODEL
How Direct Democracy works
THE PRINCIPLE BEHIND THE MOVEMENT
Elections choose who represents us
Direct democracy adds ways for Australians to participate between elections
Australians still elect representatives and Parliament still governs.
Direct Democracy adds additional ways for Australians to participate directly in certain decisions between elections.
Vote - Challenge - Initiate
The three tools
Mandatory Referendum
Defined major decisions automatically go to Australians for a national vote.
Under the proposed model certain categories of major decisions would require a national vote rather than being decided by Parliament alone.
Examples based on the Swiss model include constitutional changes and certain major international commitments.
People’s Veto
Australians can challenge legislation passed by Parliament.
When Parliament passes legislation Australians can collect the required signatures to trigger a national vote on whether that legislation should remain in place.
Citizens Initiative
Australians can initiate constitutional changes for a national vote.
A Citizens Initiative allows Australians to propose changes to the Constitution rather than waiting for Parliament to introduce them
Once the required number of valid signatures and other safeguards are met the proposal can progress to a national referendum.
In Practice...
Australians might propose a constitutional amendment introducing a mechanism to trigger an early federal election when defined government accountability requirements are not met.
Australians would collect the required signatures and once the threshold and relevant requirements are met the proposal could proceed to a national vote.
What would this look like?
People's veto example
ADD YOUR VOICE
Help shape Australia’s future
Support additional ways for Australians to participate directly in major decisions between elections.
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Every contribution helps us raise awareness, educate Australians, grow community participation and support the work towards establishing Direct Democracy in Australia