On Cobwebs and Fine Silk: Nationhood for the 21st Century

Only eight constitutional referendums have been successful in Australia's history, and none since 1977. Yet Australia is almost irreconcilably different to the Australia of Federation. Parts of our founding document are now redundant, others are in desperate need of review, while some sections are at risk of causing constitutional crises. Partisan politics and an aversion to failure means that many issues will never be put to a referendum unless innovative and brave measures are taken. Our founding document needs help, and there is one thing that we can do…