Reasons for constitutional reform

DP8

Reasons for constitutional reform

• recognise first nations people

• increase protection of rights

• change commonwealth’s law making powers

• reform Australia’s political system.

Recognise First Nations people

There is no mention of Australia’s first nations people in the constitution, nor is there any recognition of the fact that First Nations people have been living on the continent for at least 65 000 years.

Proposed changes:

• establish a voice to parliament

• honour and recognise FN people in the constitution

Increase protection of rights

The number of rights protected by the Australian Constitution is limited, with many of the rights themselves being narrow in scope. Most rights are instead protected via laws.

proposed changes:

• incorporate a bill of rights into the aus constitution

• change the AC to protect basic democratic freedoms to clarify or broaden the existing express rights

Change the commonwealths law making powers

the commonwealth parliament has exclusive and concurrent powers, whilst the states have concurrent and residual powers.

proposed changes:

• the cth parliament has sought to change the AC to provide it with more powers

• suggestions to reduce the cths law making powers

Reform Australia’s political system

Suggestions to change the AC in order to our political system

proposed changes:

• increase term of HOR members from three to four yeats

• allow more people to be eligble to sit in parliament

• become a republic