Image and Article by Croakey

Professor Gabrielle Appleby and Professor Megan Davis have edited a new book, The Failure of the Voice Referendum and the Future of Australian Democracy, that includes a significant focus on misinformation and disinformation, as well as covering human rights, gender equality, structural reform, and the roles of civil society and corporates.

It includes authors with expertise and experience across politics, law, public policy, government, journalism, human rights and Aboriginal affairs. An open access version is available online.

The article below, first published by The Conversation, is an edited extract, and makes the case for sustained civics education to “become a permanent feature of our educational curriculum and democratic life, sooner rather than later”.

“Looking forward, the need for a Voice has not diminished,” they write. “If anything, the years since the referendum has reinforced its necessity.”