The People’s Guide to the Australian Constitution

Everything you need to know about the Australian Constitution – its past, present and future.

The People’s Guide to the Australian Constitution illustrates how, far from being an unchangeable, technical legal contract, the Australian Constitution gives people the power to participate in and decide the shape of government and the policies it adopts. Leading legal academics Rosalind Dixon and William Partlett shed light on what Governor-General John Kerr did not acknowledge about the Constitution when he dismissed the Whitlam government, the tension between Australia’s Christian settler-colonial constitutional identity and the recognition of First Nations peoples, the advantages and risks of constitutional change and much more.

At almost 125 years old, Australia’s Constitution is one of the oldest in the world, and while this has brought stability, it also gives the Australian people an opportunity to participate in adapting it to changing times.

‘If the Voice referendum has taught us anything, it is that there is a huge gap in civic education in this country. This book will foster better understanding of our Constitution and empower Australians to become more informed voters and citizens, which is a win for our democracy.’ – Jennifer Robinson, Human Rights Lawyer

‘The People’s Guide to the Australian Constitution is a comprehensive and readable explanation of its history and working. A basic understanding of our Constitution is essential to our representative democracy. It is the legal infrastructure for the operation of our democracy, the maintenance of the rule of law, the limitation of official power and the protection of important freedoms.’ – The Hon Robert French AC

‘An important resource that inspires Australians toward a transformative, genuine sovereign democracy and understanding.’ – Waskam Emelda Davis, Emeritus City of Sydney Councillor