Opening Statement

Australians currently lack a comprehensive constitutional Bill of Rights. Existing protections cover only religion and voting, leaving fundamental freedoms—such as free speech, privacy, protection from government overreach, and digital rights and Volunteer voting —vulnerable.

We deserve a  to enshrine a Bill of Rights, ensure full independence, and establish accountable governance, so Australians—not politicians or unelected powers—decide on the laws that protect our freedoms.

---

History & Context

The concept of a Bill of Rights originates from England in 1689, when the English Bill of Rights limited government power and protected citizens’ freedoms. Key principles included freedom of speech, protection from arbitrary authority, and parliamentary accountability.

Australia has made several attempts to introduce a similar framework:

1944: Labor’s H.V. Evatt proposed a Bill of Rights; rejected in a referendum (53.3% No).

1973: Whitlam Government proposed a Human Rights Bill; blocked by State governments.

1988: Hawke Government proposed the “People’s Charter”; failed in a referendum (31% approval).

2024: Parliamentary committees recommended a federal Human Rights Act; no action has been taken.

Both major parties have historically resisted meaningful reform. Current protections limited to voting and religious practice do not guarantee freedom of speech, privacy, or protection from global or unelected influences.

A national referendum is the only way to ensure Australians, not politicians, decide on their rights, creating lasting democratic safeguards.

---

Australia Is Independent — Why Keep the Monarchy?

 

Australia has been fully independent since the Australia Act 1986, which:

 

Ended the UK Parliament’s power over Australia.

 

Removed the British monarch’s legal authority in Australia.

 

Made Australian states fully sovereign.

 

 

Yet Australia still retains the British monarch as head of state, a system that is unelected, inherited, and unaccountable. Other nations, like the USA and India, became republics after independence to reflect their sovereignty.

 

Right: Australia should have an Australian head of state, elected or appointed by Australians, reflecting our independence and ensuring accountability.

 

 

---

 

Constitutional Reform & Section 128

 

To secure these reforms, we must use Section 128 of the Constitution, which governs how Australians can change the Constitution:

 

Proposal: A constitutional amendment must be passed by both houses of Parliament. If one house rejects it, the other house can still pass it twice, at least 3 months apart, to proceed.

 

Referendum: The amendment is then submitted to the Australian people for a vote.

 

Voting Requirements (Double Majority):

 

1. A majority of voters nationwide

 

 

2. A majority of voters in a majority of states (at least 4 of 6)

 

 

 

Enactment: If both majorities approve, the amendment becomes part of the Constitution, legally guaranteeing the proposed rights and reforms.

 

 

Using Section 128 ensures that Australians directly decide on the Bill of Rights, republic, voluntary voting, and other constitutional protections.

 

 

---

 

Key Rights We Demand

 

1. Freedom of Speech

Australians must be able to speak freely, criticize government, and share opinions without censorship or fear.

 

2. Limiting Government Power

Laws such as the Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (Victoria) and emergency powers during COVID-19 gave excessive authority to government leaders, resulting in harsh lockdowns, job restrictions, and fines for peaceful protest. Emergency powers must be time-limited and accountable to Parliament, protecting citizens’ liberties, employment, and medical choice.

3. Right to Protest & Petition

Peaceful protest is essential to democracy. Australians must assemble, protest, and petition without fear of arrest, harassment, or media defamation.

 

4. Privacy & Digital Freedom

Laws including the Online Safety Act 2021, the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, the TOLA Act 2018, and the Identify & Disrupt Act 2021 allow broad digital surveillance, censorship, and restrictions on access to online platforms. Citizens deserve protection from unlawful surveillance, mass data collection, censorship, and arbitrary digital age restrictions.

 

5. Sovereignty & Independence

International bodies (UN, WHO, WEF) should never override Australian law. Our nation must remain fully sovereign.

 

6. Right to Self-Defense

Australians must be able to protect themselves, their families, and their property without fear of prosecution.

 

7. Voluntary Voting

Voting should be a choice, not a penalty. Citizens cannot be fined for choosing not to participate in elections. especially discriminationing people that don't understand voting with a disability.

 

8. Property Rights

Property cannot be seized without fair process and compensation, protecting Australians from arbitrary government action.

 

9. Digital Consumer Rights

Australians must retain permanent access to purchased digital goods, including games, software, and media, even if companies shut down servers.

 

10. Parliamentary Accountability

MPs and Senators who neglect their duties or act against national interest must be recallable or impeachable, ensuring government serves the people, not special interests.

 

 

---

Call to Action

Australia is a modern democracy without a Bill of Rights, voluntary voting, or a fully Australian head of state. Laws such as the Online Safety Act, the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, and the Health and Wellbeing Act have restricted freedoms that Australians should enjoy. Other democracies—like the USA, Canada, and most of Europe—protect freedoms that Australians still lack.

We call for a national referendum under Section 128 to:

 

• Enshrine a federal Bill of Rights
• Guarantee voluntary voting
• Replace the monarchy with an Australian head of state
• Protect free speech, privacy, protest, and sovereignty
• Secure digital and property rights
• Hold parliamentarians accountable for neglect or misconduct

 

Without it, future governments will continue to erode freedoms and democracy.

 

👉 Sign this petition now to demand that Australians have guaranteed rights, independence, and accountable government, constitutionally protected for generations to come.