Australians didn’t have enough information in the voice referendum. There wasn’t enough information about the constitution, it’s role and how it works. Australians didn’t have enough information about the role of parliament and how laws are made.
That’s why how our system of government works must be taught in primary schools and high schools. We cannot expect people to make informed decisions about how they are governed without teaching them how our system of government works..
The constitution is the rule book for how we are governed. It mentions defence but doesn’t have all the detail of the army, navy and airforce. It mentions tax but doesn’t have all the detail of who, what and how tax is applied. It mentions foreign affairs but doesn’t provide the details of Australia’s relationships.
The constitution is the rule book has the detail of the ‘what’ of the principles of government. And like all rule books, it doesn’t — and nor should it — provide the details of the how.
The ‘yes’ campaign told those who wanted more information to find out. That learning should start early in life, not during an intense referendum campaign.