We the People of Australia voting at referendum adopt this Constitution as the cornerstone and basic law of Australian society and declare that this Constitution shall be changed only by the People in accordance with the provisions herein.

This Constitution shall establish, promote and preserve a free, secular, egalitarian and just society in which all Australian Citizens are equal before the law and have equal opportunity to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Throughout this Constitution unless the contrary intention is obvious, references to the male gender shall include the female gender and vice versa.

We the People of Australia declare with this Constitution that the People and only the People are Sovereign¹. 

We the People of Australia acknowledge our history and with this Constitution declare Sovereignty over Australia² in perpetuity as described herein.

All the assets of the land, air and sea of Australia form part of the common wealth of Australia and belong to all Australian Citizens.

We the People declare sustainable development a fundamental principle of our Nation. We declare that any activity that unduly adversely impacts on the natural environment shall be unlawful and that we shall restore as far as possible the damage already inflicted on the land, air and sea.

Recognising that some aspects of society are better achieved with common standards, centralised decision making and collective endeavour, We the People establish with this Constitution a system of representative, democratic government. This system provides for government of the People by the People for the People and shall remain in force until changed by the People voting at referendum.

The validity of all laws passed by the Parliament shall be judged against this Constitution including this preamble. No laws shall impinge on the rights and responsibilities of the People as stipulated in this Constitution unless agreed by the People voting at referendum. Any law, ordinance, regulation or Court judgment contrary to the provisions of this Constitution shall be invalid.

With this Constitution We the People of Australia declare friendship to all other nations and that we have no aspirations for the territory of any other nation. This declaration shall be changed only by the People voting at referendum.

¹‘The People and only the People are Sovereign’ means that all authority stems from the People and reverts to the People and cannot be usurped.

²‘Sovereignty over Australia’ means that Australian Citizens rule Australia and that the land area of Australia is part of the common wealth that belongs to all Australian Citizens.

Unlike the 1901 Constitution, this Preamble forms part of the Constitution and shall be used as required to interpret intent and meaning.

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