Arguably legislating first may have been a better strategy but that was not what all the community groups wanted, according to the Calma Langton report. And with good reason, just after the vote Dutton reneged on a second referendum and various state LNP groups back flipped on their treaty deals.
One thing that the referendum exposed was the racism inherent in Australian society. That’s something that the Yes camp couldn’t address.
It’s become clear that the constitution is sacred to most people. It defies logic as other referendums were beneficial to society. But the voter just won’t buy it, despite the antiquity and inappropriateness of the document.
The latest Quadrant is full of racist and inaccurate commentary, the only benefit being that now we know what they are really thinking.
John Quiggin 
Arguably legislating first may have been a better strategy but that was not what all the community groups wanted, according to the Calma Langton report. And with good reason, just after the vote Dutton reneged on a second referendum and various state LNP groups back flipped on their treaty deals.
One thing that the referendum exposed was the racism inherent in Australian society. That’s something that the Yes camp couldn’t address.
It’s become clear that the constitution is sacred to most people. It defies logic as other referendums were beneficial to society. But the voter just won’t buy it, despite the antiquity and inappropriateness of the document.
The latest Quadrant is full of racist and inaccurate commentary, the only benefit being that now we know what they are really thinking.