Give Australians a stronger voice in our democracy

Australia's democracy is built on representation, accountability and the right to vote. However, many Australians believe citizens should have more opportunities to participate in important decisions between elections.

Citizen-initiated referendums (CIRs) are one possible democratic reform that deserves careful examination. A well-designed CIR system could allow citizens who demonstrate significant public support for an issue to bring it forward for consideration through a transparent and safeguarded process.

This petition is not about replacing Parliament or removing the important role of elected representatives. It is about asking our Parliament to investigate whether Australia could benefit from an additional democratic tool that complements our existing system.

Australia has discussed this idea before, including through previous parliamentary proposals and a Senate inquiry into the Citizen Initiated Referendum Bill 2013. Other democracies have also developed similar systems, providing valuable lessons about both opportunities and safeguards.

We are calling on the Australian Parliament to establish a new inquiry into citizen-initiated referendums so that experts, communities and elected representatives can examine the evidence and determine whether a carefully designed model could strengthen Australia's democracy.

Sign this petition to support a more informed national conversation about the future of democratic participation in Australia.

Australia's representative democracy has served our nation for more than a century. However, many Australians believe that citizens should have more opportunities to participate in democratic decision-making between elections.

Citizen-initiated referendums (CIRs) are one possible mechanism that could complement Australia's existing democratic institutions. Under such a system, eligible citizens who demonstrate substantial public support for an issue could have the opportunity to propose a matter for public consideration through a referendum process designed with appropriate safeguards.

This petition does not seek to replace Australia's parliamentary system. Members of Parliament would continue to perform their essential roles in debating, scrutinising and passing legislation. Rather, it calls for a careful examination of whether a well-designed CIR framework could provide Australians with an additional avenue for participation on matters of significant public interest.

Australia has considered this idea before

The concept of citizen-initiated referendums is not new in Australia. Similar proposals have been discussed for more than a century, including through parliamentary debates, political platforms, public campaigns and petitions.

Australia has also had direct experience with similar mechanisms. Under its former system of self-government, Norfolk Island operated a form of citizen-initiated referendum, demonstrating that direct democratic processes have existed within Australian governance arrangements.

 

In 2013, the Citizen Initiated Referendum Bill was introduced into the Senate and referred to a parliamentary committee for examination. The bill did not complete the parliamentary process before the end of the parliamentary term, rather than being rejected through a final vote. Since then, there has been further international experience and continued public discussion about ways to strengthen democratic participation.

Why a new inquiry is needed

A parliamentary inquiry would allow Australia to consider this issue carefully and objectively. It could examine:

 

• previous Australian proposals and parliamentary consideration;
• experiences from jurisdictions such as Switzerland, Italy and various states in the United States;
• constitutional and legal requirements;
• potential benefits and risks;
• appropriate safeguards;
• possible implementation models;
• opportunities for public consultation.

Any future Australian model would need to ensure that direct democratic participation operates alongside representative government. Possible safeguards could include substantial signature thresholds, independent verification of petitions, transparent campaign funding rules, impartial public information, constitutional protections and appropriate oversight.

 

A constructive next step for Australian democracy

Public confidence in democratic institutions is strengthened when citizens have meaningful ways to participate and be heard. Around the world, democracies are exploring new ways to engage citizens while preserving the stability and accountability of representative government.

Australia should have a mature, evidence-based discussion about whether citizen-initiated referendums could form part of that future.

We, the undersigned, call on the Australian Parliament to establish a parliamentary inquiry into citizen-initiated referendums and related forms of direct democratic participation.

Such an inquiry would not predetermine the outcome. Instead, it would provide Australians, experts and elected representatives with the opportunity to examine the evidence, consider safeguards and determine whether such a mechanism could strengthen Australia's democracy.