What is a referendum and how does it work?

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the wording for the promised referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. It will be Australia's first referendum since 1999 - and the first one anyone younger than 42 will have voted in.

The inauguration of the Australian Commonwealth. When the Constitution of Australia came into force, on 1st January 1901, the colonies collectively became states of the Commonwealth of Australia. Celebrations included Sydney post-office illuminated with the lettering 'Welcome to Our Governor General, God Save the Queen'. Drawing by C H Hunt reproduced in The Illustrated London News, 16th February 1901 page 225 1901 | AAP/MARY EVANS/The Illustrated London News NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY Credit: Illustrated London News Ltd/Mar/MARY EVANS

On New Year's Day in 1901, 60,000 people gathered at Centennial Park in Sydney to witness the formation of Australia as it's now known.

The Queen's Proclamation was read, ministers were sworn in and with a 21-gun salute, what had been six separate colonies were united as one.

Setting the rules for how this new nation would be governed was the Constitution.

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