Irish voters decide to keep their Senate after all. Meanwhile, British politicians are arguing about giving their voters the opportunity to decide whether to keep EU membership.
Category: Referenda
On getting rid of a Senate
Ireland's voters may decide tomorrow to abolish their Senate. Could it happen in Australia as well?
Media criticism made easy
The media show no interest in explaining what the holdup is with constitutional recognition of Australia's indigenous people.
How not to write about local government
Journalists these days tend to forego the hard work of learning about policy and just write about the political "horse race". What's worse is that they frequently get the details of that wrong.
Federalism and local government
The Gillard government wants the constitutional power to fund local government directly. Here's why that's a bad idea.
Slow progress in Kosovo, but at least it’s not Chechnya
European media are hailing a historic agreement between Serbia and Kosovo, but the underlying problems haven't really been solved.
Good news for Zimbabwe, at last
The EU has responded to Zimbabwe's constitutional referendum by suspending most of the sanctions on government figures, although not President Mugabe himself.
The week’s electoral roundup
Election news from Zimbabwe, Western Australia, Bulgaria, Kenya and Venezuela.
Self-determination in the South Atlantic
The Falkland Islanders want to stay British; Britain still seems happy to have them. So does anyone else get to have a say in this?
A step sideways for Aboriginal recognition
There'll be feel-good images out of Canberra today as parliament votes on recognition of indigenous people. But the idea that the bill represents a step forward on a constitutional referendum is simply not true.
The World is Not Enough 