“Perhaps it time for a Referendum” What do you mean? Do you want the same rules as in the Constitution? That is where one that has to win the majority of votes in each state and in the majority of states. That is one that the result can only be changed by another referendum. What makes you think this will resolve the issues. We are, I believe allowed to have different points of views and beliefs. That is at least as long as my view. Belief or action does not hurt someone else. I think it is about time we live and let live. What someone else believes in or does is really none of our business. Just because I believe in something does not make it right for someone else. There are many more important things in this world to worry about. Try poverty and injustice for starters.

Of course we are allowed to have different beliefs, unfortunately issues like legalising gay marriage and allowing burkasto be worn in certain circumstances are things that need to be addressed.

These types of issues won't be solved with a live and let live attitude. Action does need to be taken, whether it be yay or nay.

“Of course we are allowed to have different beliefs; unfortunately issues like legalising gay marriage and allowing burkas to be worn in certain circumstances are things that need to be addressed.”

I mean the things like you mentioned. How does a gay marriage hurt you? Before you start yelling, “the kids” are aware that many hundred already live in informal gay relationship. There is no evidence that they are coming to harm. I, for one am bemused that they want marriage. As for the burka, are you aware that very few women wear it? They are found in two or three localised areas. If there are problems with banks etc, that can be dealt with at that level. No way do they interfere with your life. Letting live and let live does not mean I agree with gay marriages and burkas. It means, if it does not harm others, it is not my business. The burka will eventually disappear the same way as the nun’s habit did. There are man laws, such as those against smoking. That is different. Smoking affects the health of others.

What a scary idea.

Just think of the number of laws that will need to be created each year, thanks to the conga-line of busybodies and do-gooders, who want to tell other people what to wear, decide what they can eat and drink, control how fast they drive, clamp down on what they don't want them to read...

And then undo the same laws the next year, once the riots have stopped.

Giving people that kind of power is like giving a loaded water pistol to a kid, telling him to be responsible and not squirt his sister.

Someone's going to get wet.

Or we could go the California route, where every proposition that spends "government" money is approved, while every one that raises taxes is knocked back.

People, en masse, are very easily led into mindless stupidity.

You put too much faith in referendums.
In one to give Aboriginals the vote,to make them citizens in their own country while it passed
Kempsy NSW voted strongly against it.
Your wish list however controversial as it is, would mostly get the result you want.
Maybe that is why we will not get it ever.

There are many issues that could be put to a public vote. Why do we ask our parliamentarians who represent us to vote on their conscience and not on the majority.

Some of our parliamentarians could be described as ignorant.

This is not the same as advocating referenda for every piece of legislation or the every minutiae of government. That would just be silly. Imagine the red tape and cost of bureacratic processes.