Last amended 2010-06-21  A very major advance in direct democracy is happening in Europe. The European Parliament has recently decided to implement CIR throughout the European Union. Thus, in a stroke, half a billion European citizens will be able to have a direct say, through CIR, in the legislation which governs their lives. This reform is probably the largest single advance in direct democracy ever undertaken. It is immensely encouraging for us in Australia. For further details please see 

And in New Zealand there is Better Democracy, which is doing an admirable job. To see what is happening across the Tasman please see

On 2009-02-05 we sent a survey to all Australian parliamentarians to ascertain their views on CIR. The results, disappointing as they are, can be seen at  

The Citizens Parliament has concluded its deliberations for improving our democracy. We are happy to report that Citizens' Initiated Referendum was adopted by the parliament as a desirable and practical reform. For a full report on the conclusions of the Citizens Parliament please see

'Citizens' Initiated Referendum - CIR - is the means whereby citizens can demand that a particular issue be put to a binding vote of the whole electorate. For the sake of brevity, Referendum is used to include both Initiative, (which relates to a new law) and referendum (which relates to a vote upon a law already enacted). In either case, CIR Australia advocates that if, say, 2% of the electors in any given jurisdiction sign a petition asking for a referendum, then the matter must be put to the electorate at the next general election.

CIR has been in operation in parts of Europe since 1874 and in parts of the USA since 1898. No jurisdiction has ever repealed CIR.

CIR Australia advocates Citizens' Initiated Referendum in the well founded belief that Australia is as capable as any other country of allowing its citizens to have a full say in their government.