The democratic process can be quite complex.  And because of this complexity, confusion can ensue and blur the real question at stake.  And when confused, voters prefer to keep the status quo and do nothing to change.

Did you know that since Federation, there has been 44 proposals for constitutional change.  Out of these 44 proposals, only eight have received approval from voters.  The most recent successful referendum was held in 1977.  Since then, seven proposals have been put forward and none of them has passed.

Brigit interviewed A/Prof Ian Tregenza from the Politics and International Relations Department at MQ on the line to help us better understand what a referendum is and its importance in the Australian democratic process.