On 14 March 2013, the Senate referred the Citizen Initiated Referendum Bill 2013 to the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 24 June 2013.
The reasons for the referral are for the Committee to consider:
1. Citizens' Initiated Referendum (CIR) promotes greater openness and accountability in public decision-making.
2. Laws instituted as a result of a CIR are more clearly derived from the popular expression of the people's will.
3. Government authority flows from the people and is based upon their consent.
4. Citizens in a democracy have the responsibility to participate in the political system.
5. The Inter Parliamentary Union's call on member states to strengthen democracy through constitutional instruments including the citizen's right to initiate legislation
For further information, contact: Senate Finance and Public Administration Committees
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia