THREE arguments do not wash. One is: “”We have not had enough information.” The second is: “”We have not had enough time.” The third is: “”Our leaders have given us a confused message.”
These excuses frequently came up in the referendum campaign.
They could be translated: “”We have been too lazy to look at the masses of information until the last day or two. We are too lazy or stupid to think through what is rubbish and what has merit.”
The information was there for those who applied just a little effort — like reading it. The proposals and issues have been around for a very long time.
A lot of the campaigners have been far too polite about the Australian voter. All trotted out the cliches that the Australian voter is intelligent and well-informed.
But daily we saw ample evidence to the contrary — people displaying ignorance of the Constitution and system of government. They knew so little about the existing system, let alone grasp the elements of any new proposals. They swallowed the most fanciful drivel and waded into the most far-fetched scenarios. Things like ex-servicepeople being excluded from the presidency or Australia being thrown out of the Commonwealth or rubbish that Prince Charles is harming Australian beef exports.
The campaign provides a convincing argument for voluntary voting in referendums. At least the apathetic and most of the undecided would be removed from the vote. No-
case campaigner Senator Nick Minchin has argued for voluntary voting in elections that people should have a right not to vote. In referen