New Zealand is mentioned in the Australian constitution. Does that mean that New Zealanders have the legal authority to vote?
Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, 1900: Original Public Record Copy (1900).
Parliament House Art Collection, Art Services Parliament House
Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, 1900: Original Public Record Copy (1900).
Parliament House Art Collection, Art Services Parliament House
Description
This image shows the front page of the original public record copy of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900. There is a a red ribbon tied in a bow on the left hand side of the document. The paper looks faded from age.
Permission for publication must be sought from Parliament House Art Collection. Contact DPS Art Services, phone: 02 62775034 or 02 62775123
Thank you for your question. Yes, New Zealand is mentioned in the Australian Constitution but New Zealand citizens do not have the right to vote in Australian elections.
The colony of New Zealand participated in the early Federation conferences. However, there was not a strong interest in New Zealand for joining with the Australian colonies to form a new country. New Zealand delegates did not attend the conferences where the draft Australian Constitution was written.
The Constitution gives New Zealand the option to join Australia. Covering clause 6 of the Constitution states New Zealand may be admitted into Australia as a state. (Section 121 provides the rules on how new states would be admitted.) As non-Australian citizens, New Zealanders cannot vote in Australian elections.