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SEU UI UG VIDED ERO Uw Another recommendation is that we have trial by jury and freedom of religion. The Committee suggested there should be a | powers tomake laws regarding the succession d new Preamble to the Constitution; to the Throne and Regency in the sovereignty For a proposal to be passed at a referen- “Whereas the people are drawn from a rich | of Australia. If the U.K, alters its rules of | dum itmust win the support of the majority of diversity of cultures, yet are one in their devo- | succession (as it did during the abdication of | voters in the majority of States, and the major- tion to the Australian tradition of equality, the | Edward VII in 1936) those rules would not | ity of voters overall. Referenda have changed freedom of the person and the dignity of the | apply to Australia. the Constitution eight times since Federation. individual. Other recommendations include recogni- | On 30 other occasions, Referenda have failed ¢ “Whereas Australia is an ancient land previ- | tionoflocal government and provision forthe | to achieve their majorities. But four of the 8 ously owned and occupied by Aboriginal {| creation of new States. proposals were passed since 1967 (out of 14). people who never ceded ownership. Think (and register!) before you vote; « “Whereas the Australian people look to S e pte m. b er 3 rd whatever your view, this chance may never share fairly in the plenty of our Common- come again. wealth. « “Whereas Australia is a continent of im- Ref erendum This information has been compiled from’ mense extent and unique in the world, de- the Summary of the First Report of the Consti- manding as our homeland our respect, devo- On September the 3rd we are voting on four | ‘tional Commission and the Summary of the tion and wise management..” questions in a Referendum. These relate to; Reports of the Advisory Committees to the However, the Commission has decided | « Parliamentary term increased to four years | Constitutional Commission. Copies of these not to include this preamble in its recommen- | « The right to vote documents are available FREE from the dations. They said it was too difficult to define | + Recognition of local government Commission; just ring (02) 29 8505 or (008) “the fundamental sentiments which Austra- | + Extension of rights and freedoms including | 02 3/03. A lians of all origins hold in common...” - but the rl : rest of the Preamble was thrown out as well. Parliamentary Changes The House of Representatives determines the government, provides most government ministers and initiates most legislation. Its members are elected by the population and must perform constituency work in their own electorates. The Senate is elected on the basis of equal representation of States rather than by popula- pore aigaechins = ine Seer ot Son ee formu ¢ 3 . n referendum Is ution , the Commonwealth can acquire aaa unis State "particular | qieady has a section which specitically property on just terms trom a State one bese: ‘ guarantees freedom of religion; son for any purpose that the Common- The Commission has many recommenda- | “The Commonwealth shall not make any — wealth has power to make laws about. tions concerning parliament. One is to extend | law for establishing any religion, or for World Heritage justifies Commonwealth the maximum term of the House of Represen- | Imposing any religious observance, orfor aquisition of State Forest, for instance. tatives from three years to four, The vast | Prohibiting the free exercise of any rell- majority of countries with democratic govern- gion, and no religious test shall be required Australia IS Neutrall!! as a qualification for any office or public ments laye foaran Saya Of the 143 | trust under the Commonwealth.” Under the Australian Constitution, parliaments listed in Geneva, only 15 have | - Sect, 116, States Section, Common- terms of three years or less. weallh of Australia Constitution Act, 1901. opted irvashaal ee 4 Another recommendation is that there be I's offen considered this clause ex- a three year minimum term so that elections | 'endsno Commonwealth powers over the ONSTRATE ANY ALLEGIANCE even toa States on Religious matters - but Section _frlendly nation. Sat SSE Fic SEEN 109, also in the States section, says that; No Australian politician can show any “When a law of a State Is inconsisient with “acknowledgement of allegience, obedi- Ou r M onarch the law of the Commonwealth, the latter ence or adherence to a foreign power” shall prevali, and the former shall, to the under Section 44(i.) of the Constitution. No The Commission recommends that there be | extent of the Inconsistency, be Invalid.” —_ Australian politician can, therefore, make sat, =... | This means that the Constitution already any treaties of allegiance (ANZUS) ordeals , 2 eae, - — . se as — guarantees freedom of religion through- _—to “Stick Together” (ADHERE) with ANY Uonal Monarchy, except to repeal certain | out Australial We are actually voting on FOREIGN POWER! powers of the Monarch; moving this section to another part of the The recent arrests at Pine Gap have At present, the Queen of England may | Constitution - a Bill of Rights. resulted In this clause being used to chal- disallow any Australian law within one year Furthermore, the Federal Government lenge the right of politicians to order Aus- tralians to protect foreign facilities, of it being signed for her by the Governor | 40s have direct constitutional power to acquire land from the States in the interests John Sword General. She may also disallow certain laws by not assenting to them within two years. NEXUS New Times Six - Spring 1988 Aboriginals Ignored |i by jury and freedom of eligi September 3rd Referendum Parliamentary Changes Australia IS Neutrall! Our Monarch