People Power

<p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)>WHY HAS SUCCESS BEEN SO RARE IN AUSTRALIAN REFERENDUMS?</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)>From the failed attempt to ban communism in 1951 to the unsuccessful Voice referendum in 2023 Australians have been cautious about constitutional change voting 'Yes' to only eight out of 45 referendum proposals.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)>In </span><em style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)>People Power</em><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)> the only full history of constitutional change in Australia constitutional experts George Williams and David Hume closely examine our referendum record and explain why success is difficult to achieve. They interview leading proponents for constitutional change and analyse each referendum campaign the public response and the forces that shaped the outcome.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)>This comprehensively updated edition of </span><em style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)>People Power</em><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)> includes analysis on the 2023 Voice referendum along with discussion of the rise of interest in state and territory referendums and the 2017 national plebiscite on same-sex marriage.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)>And the answer to holding a successful referendum in Australia? Truly engaging the people in the political process.</span></p><p><strong style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)>'Essential reading.' - Marcia Langton</strong><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)> </span><strong style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)><em>Meanjin</em></strong></p><p><strong style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)>'The first of its kind.' -</strong><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)> </span><strong style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)><em>Indigenous Law Bulletin</em></strong></p><p><strong style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)>'...advances scholarly and popular understanding of Australia's federal constitutional system.' -</strong><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)> </span><strong style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)><em>Labour History</em></strong></p><p><strong style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)>'A handy reference for teachers and students of Australian history and politics.' -</strong><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)> </span><strong style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(55 65 81 1)><em>The Age.</em></strong></p><p><br></p>