The Constitution is an Act of British Parliament, so when a referendum is successful, does the British Parliament need to be notified?
Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, 1900: Original Public Record Copy (1900).
Parliament House Art Collection, Art Services Parliament House
Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, 1900: Original Public Record Copy (1900).
Parliament House Art Collection, Art Services Parliament House
Description
This image shows the front page of the original public record copy of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900.
Permission for publication must be sought from Parliament House Art Collection. Contact DPS Art Services, phone: 02 62775034 or 02 62775123
Hi, thanks for your question.
No. The British Parliament does not need to be notified or involved when Australia changes its Constitution through a referendum, even though the Australian Constitution was originally part of a British Act of Parliament.
A referendum is a vote to change the Australian Constitution. The process for conducting a referendum is contained in section 128 of the Australian Constitution. It does not include any requirement to notify the British Parliament or ask for permission.
Australia has passed laws which give it constitutional independence from the British Parliament. This means the Australian Parliament can pass bills, including referendum bills, without any involvement of the British Parliament.