Australian Constitution

person casting a ballot at a polling station

From a legal standpoint, there is a difference between a state and a territory, and for some that justifies giving territory voters less say. 

australian prime minister anthony albanese speaks during question time

A Voice to Parliament would advise the “executive government” – that is, ministers and the public service – on issues that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Australian, the First Nations and Torres Strait Island flags in the House of Representatives at Parliament House

Legislation is an unsatisfactory way to institute a Voice to Parliament because, among other reasons, it would make the body insecure and vulnerable to the whims of different governments.

aboriginal flag

This constitutional reform process may be ‘unorthodox’, but it’s entirely appropriate.

Anthony Albanese and Scott Morrison in front of the Australian Aboriginal Flag

Five experts grade the major parties’ policies and past actions on pursuing a First Nations Voice to Parliament.

Health Minister Greg Hunt at a press conference

Everyone from human rights experts to famous cricketers are expressing their disgust at the federal government's India travel ban. Its legality depends on what laws you are looking at.

canberra.jpg

Problems with section 44 of the Constitution have absorbed a great deal of time, money and energy over the past year – politicians should now work towards genuine reform.

6_dual_citizenship_federation.jpg

The constitutional text on dual citizenship that has proved so significant more than a century later, was a last minute change that was drafted in private and accepted out of weariness, writes Hal Colebatch.

barnaby Joyce

Unwittingly being a citizen of somewhere else does not breach the constitution's demand for sole loyalty to Australia, writes Rosalind Dixon.

28_aboriginal_flag.jpg

A simple referendum question about consitutional change would leave the parliament to handle the detail of how to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders a voice in the legislative process, writes Rosalind Dixon.

Pages