FACTBOX-Five things to know about Australia’s planned Indigenous referendum

Australia said on Wednesday that a referendum to recognise the country’s Indigenous people in its constitution will be held on October 14.

The parliament passed legislation in August that paved the way for the referendum, which will ask voters whether they support altering the constitution to include a “Voice to Parliament”, an Indigneous committee to advise parliament on matters affecting them. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who represent about 3.2% of Australia’s nearly 26 million population, are not mentioned in the constitution.

Here are five things to know about the referendum: PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION

The Parliament in August agreed to propose adding a new chapter, Chapter IX-Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to the Constitution. The chapter would include a new section 129, which would say the following: In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:

1. There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice; 2. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;

3. The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures. WHAT IS THE PROPOSED REFERENDUM QUESTION?

The referendum question would be: “A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?” Voters will have to write ‘Yes’ on the ballot paper if they agree with this proposed change to the constitution, or write ‘No’ if you do not agree.

HOW DOES THE POLLING WORK? Just like a federal election, thousands of polling stations will be opened across the country on voting day. Australians can cast their vote at any polling place within their state or territory. Polling will take place between 8am and 6pm, local time.

The election commission has said the referendum will see more voting services delivered to remote communities than any other vote in Australia’s history. Polling teams will visit approximately 35% more remote communities than in the past. HOW MANY VOTES ARE NEEDED?

To change the constitution, the government must secure what is known as a double majority in the referendum. That means more than a majority of voters must vote in favour nationally, plus a majority of voters in a majority of the states must back the change.

Votes of people living in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), the Northern Territory regions, and any of Australia’s external territories, count towards the national majority only. Poll turnout will be high as voting is compulsory.

HOW HAVE PAST REFERENDUMS FARED? There have been 44 proposals for constitutional change in 19 referendums, and only eight of these proposals have been approved.

In the last referendum in 1999, Australians voted against changing the constitution to establish the Commonwealth of Australia as a republic with the monarchy and governor-general being replaced by a president appointed by a two-thirds majority of members of parliament.

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