However, when the bill entered the committee stage, Hughes moved an amendment that the bill should not be proclaimed until submitted to the people, either by referendum or general election. Attorney-General John Latham noted that the Commonwealth had no power to call a referendum, making general election the only constitutionally valid result of the amendment.
However, when the bill reached the committee stage, Hughes proposed an amendment that the bill should not be enacted until submitted to the people, either through a referendum or general election. Attorney-General John Latham pointed out that the Commonwealth lacked the authority to conduct a referendum, leaving only a constitutional general election as the valid outcome of the amendment.