What is a plebiscite?

  • A plebiscite is a national vote on a question that does not affect the Constitution (Parliamentary Education Office), in this case:
    "SHOULD THE AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT INTRODUCE A 25% TAX ON AUSTRALIA’S GAS EXPORTS?"     
  • A plebiscite is different from a Referendum, which is a vote of the Australian people on a proposed change to the Australian Constitution. 
  • A plebiscite does not have legal force. If a plebiscite is held, the Parliament decides on how it is run. The government would choose the exact wording of the question.  
  • Every Australian would have the opportunity to hear the arguments for and against, and then vote "YES" or "NO".  
  • A plebiscite measures the level of public support on a matter – and gives every Australian a chance to have their say. 
  • If most Australians vote "Yes" to a gas export tax, that would send a strong message to the federal government.  
  • A recent example of a plebiscite is the 2017 postal survey on marriage equality, in which 62% of Australians voted YES to the question" "Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?"
    Later that year, Parliament respected the majority result by voting to change the law to allow same-sex marriage.