People Power

George Williams, David Hume

ISBN 10: 1742232159 / ISBN 13: 9781742232157

Published by NewSouth Publishing, AU, 2010

About this Item

From the failed attempt to ban communism in 1951 to the unsuccessful republican referendum of 1999, Australians have been cautious about constitutional change, approving only eight out of 44 referendum proposals in just over 100 years - a success rate of about 18%. People Power is the only full history of constitutional change in Australia. It closely examines Australia's referendum record, and explains why success has been so rare. It includes interviews with leading proponents for constitutional change, alongside political cartoons, advertising and brochures from key referendum campaigns. Following their sustained analysis of each referendum campaign, the public response and the forces that shaped the outcome, the authors argue that the key to a successful referendum is truly engaging the people in the political process.

Seller Inventory # LU-9781742232157

Bibliographic Details

• Title: People Power
• Publisher: NewSouth Publishing, AU
• Publication Date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1742232159
• ISBN 13: 9781742232157
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition: Illustrated.
• Condition: New
• Dimensions: 15.24W x 2.29H x 23.5D centimeters 15.24 centimeters width by 2.29 centimeters height by 23.5 centimeters depth
• Weight: 500 grams

About this title

Synopsis

A full history of constitutional change in Australia, this analysis examines the nation’s referendum record and explains why referendum approvals have been so rare. Including interviews with leading proponents for constitutional change as well as political cartoons and brochures from key campaigns, this account provides a thorough analysis of each referendum campaign, the public’s response, and the forces that shaped the outcome.

About the Author

George Williams is a lawyer and the Anthony Mason Professor of Law at the University of New South Wales. He is the author or coauthor of numerous books, including A Bill of Rights for Australia, A Charter of Rights for Australia, and The Oxford Companion to the High Court of Australia, and is a columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald. David Hume is a solicitor at Freehills and a visiting fellow at the University of New South Wales.