On Friday 20 September 2024, the Community Education Office helped host the SA Schools Constitutional Convention with the Department for Education.
Over 60 students from schools across the state came to Parliament House to learn about Australia’s Constitution and vote in a referendum on a proposed constitutional amendment: whether we should change the Constitution’s preamble.
After listening to a lecture by Associate Professor Joe McIntyre on the history and role of Australia’s constitution, the students assessed different preamble options and participated in a preferential vote to decide on a preamble to debate. They then asked questions about Australian identity to a panel, including:
- Uncle Major Moogy Sumner – Elected Member of SA’s Voice to Parliament
- Ukash Ahmed – Multicultural Communities Council of SA
- Hon. David Pisoni MP – Member for Unley (Liberal)
- Hon. Robert Simms MLC – Member of the Legislative Council (Greens)
- Hon. Tung Ngo MLC – Member of the Legislative Council (Labor)
After a robust debate on whether the draft preamble should be changed in the Constitution, the day finished with a referendum and the new preamble was approved by a double majority. Below, we have the results for the day’s referendum and the proposed preamble that was put to a referendum.
“We, the Australian people, commit ourselves to the principles of equality, justice, and opportunity. We are united in the common goal of a society that caters to all, regardless of heritage or identity, and we are unwavering in our dedication to democracy and the freedom of the individual.
We recognise the traditional custodians of the land, and the contributions of the First Nations people to the Australian cultural identity. We celebrate the generations of immigrants from world over who have helped to build our modern nation.
As a nation we will honour those who have served and continue to serve to protect our freedom and way of life, and we will never forget the sacrifices that have been made in the defence of our liberty.
We pledge to uphold these values that define our nation.”
