A puzzled Canberra Times reader asked why there would be non-binding votes when the Constitution requires a s.128 referendum to change it. This is what the Editor published from our National Convenor in reply:
“Replying to Letters 16 February, the first stage of voting on the Republic is proposed to be a non-binding poll (a plebiscite) not a referendum.
Our view is that only one yes/no plebiscite, lacking sufficient detail to make a confident decision, would be a rerun of the 1999 referendum and about as successful. We have made this clear to both the Australian Republican Movement and to the Labor Party.
We think two plebiscites – possibly more – canvassing, for example, voters’ opinions on the name of the country, the title of the head of state and the selection method for the head of state are necessary before the final constitutional convention and, last step, referendum. Women, whose support runs consistently 10 percent lower than that of men, are more likely to vote YES this way.”
