We use clear English to understand the world. Today, we look at Australia’s referendum on becoming a republic. A referendum is a public vote on a question or proposed change.
Transcript
You’re listening to Today in History, a closer look at an event from the past.
EmmaWelcome to Slow English FM. This is Today in History, where we explore one event from history and what it meant. We use clear English to understand the world. Today, we look at Australia’s referendum on becoming a republic. A referendum is a public vote on a question or proposed change.
On November 6, 1999, Australians voted on whether to change their Constitution, the country’s basic set of laws. The proposal would establish Australia as a republic, with a President replacing the Queen and the Governor-General. The President would be chosen by a two-thirds majority of members of the Commonwealth Parliament, Australia’s national lawmaking body. Voters were not being asked to elect the President directly.
EmmaWhy did the result depend on more than the national vote? Australia requires a “double majority” to change its Constitution. That means more than half of voters across the country must support a change, and voters must also support it in at least four of the six states. Votes in the territories count toward the national total, but not toward the state test.
The republic proposal failed both parts of that test. Nationally, 45.13 percent voted yes and 54.87 percent voted no. No state had a majority in favour. The Australian Capital Territory, a territory rather than a state, voted yes, but its result could not meet the state requirement. The Constitution therefore stayed as it was.
EmmaThe totals show how close some local results were. In Queensland, 37.44 percent voted yes. In Victoria, the final count was very close: 49.84 percent yes and 50.16 percent no. In the Australian Capital Territory, 63.27 percent voted yes. Across the country, 95.1 percent of eligible voters took part.
The republic question was one of two proposed changes to the Constitution in the 1999 referendum. The other proposed adding a preamble, a short opening statement. Neither proposal won the required double majority, so neither change was carried. For the republic proposal, that meant Australia did not become a republic through this vote, and the Queen and Governor-General were not replaced by the proposed President.
EmmaThat is the story of Australia’s 1999 republic referendum: a nationwide vote, a divided result, and a Constitution left unchanged. Thanks for listening to Today in History on Slow English FM. Stay with us for more news and stories in clear English.
Vocabulary in this episode
- referendum
Today, we look at Australia’s referendum on becoming a republic.
A referendum is a public vote on an important question or proposed change.
- referendum
A referendum is a public vote on a question or proposed change.
Here, a referendum means a public vote on a question or proposed change.
- referendum
The republic question was one of two proposed changes to the Constitution in the 1999 referendum.
The 1999 referendum was a public vote on two possible changes to the Constitution.
- referendum
That is the story of Australia’s 1999 republic referendum: a nationwide vote, a divided result, and a Constitution left unchanged.
The republic referendum was the public vote about changing Australia into a republic.
- establish
The proposal would establish Australia as a republic, with a President replacing the Queen and the Governor-General.
Here, establish means to create or set up Australia as a republic.
- two-thirds majority
The President would be chosen by a two-thirds majority of members of the Commonwealth Parliament, Australia’s national lawmaking body.
This means at least two out of every three members had to choose the President.
- lawmaking body
The President would be chosen by a two-thirds majority of members of the Commonwealth Parliament, Australia’s national lawmaking body.
A lawmaking body is a group that makes laws for a country.
- directly
Voters were not being asked to elect the President directly.
Directly means voters themselves would not choose the President in this vote.
- double majority
Australia requires a “double majority” to change its Constitution.
A double majority requires support from both a national majority and enough states.
- double majority
Neither proposal won the required double majority, so neither change was carried.
Here, a double majority means a national majority and support in at least four states.
- in favour
No state had a majority in favour.
In favour means supporting the proposal.
- eligible
Across the country, 95.1 percent of eligible voters took part.
Eligible voters were people allowed to vote in the referendum.
- preamble
The other proposed adding a preamble, a short opening statement.
A preamble is a short introduction at the start of a document.
- carried
Neither proposal won the required double majority, so neither change was carried.
Here, carried means officially approved by the vote.