The amendment by referendum method described in the section was modelled on provisions in the Swiss Federal Constitution.
[1] Its inclusion was influenced also by the Swiss method being present in the constitutions of several U.S. states at the time of federation.
If the second house again refuses to pass it, the Governor-General (presumably on the advice of the Prime Minister) may still submit the proposed change for referendum.
Section 128 makes allowance for inconsistent suffrage rights across the colonies at federation.
The Hawke government's Constitutional Commission recommended in its final report that the section be altered to allow for State Parliaments to initiate referendums by passing bills containing proposed changes.