Referendums in the UK and plebiscites in Australia: when to seek the views of the people?

Abstract

Discusses situations in which UK and Australian Governments may use advisory referendums, and notes the potential justifications, including to add legitimacy to proposed reforms. Suggests how such a policy also promotes the values of representative democracy, and reviews key features of the use of such referendums in relation to changes to parliamentary powers or structures, modifications to the electoral process and changes to the franchise