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P A R L I A M E N T A R Y H A N D B O O K O F T H E C O M M O N W E A L T H O F A U S T R A L I A T w e n t y - E i g h t h E d i t i o n 1 9 9 9
Introduction
The referendum is used in Australia as part of the formal process of amending the Commonwealth Constitution. A proposal to amend the Constitution must first take the form of a Bill submitted to the Commonwealth Parliament. Between two to six months after it leaves the Parliament, the proposal ‘shall be submitted’ to the voters in the States and Territories in the form of a referendum.
Before the 1977 Referendum, the Constitution provided that Bills to alter the Constitution must be approved by referendum in a majority of States and by a majority of all electors voting. Following the approval by the electors in 1977, the Constitution now allows electors in the Territories, as well as electors in the States, to vote in constitutional referendums. The vote of a Territory is not counted as part of a majority of the States in determining the result of a referendum, but it is included in the majority of electors total. No proposed amendment diminishing the proportionate representation of any State in either House of the Parliament, or the minimum number of representatives of a State in the House of Representatives, or altering the boundaries of a State, may become law unless the majority of the electors voting in that State approve the proposed law.
The Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act 1906 provides the machinery for conducting referendums. Constitutional referendums have been held on eighteen separate occasions, involving forty-two separate amendment attempts.
Only eight of the forty-two proposals have been carried by referendum:
⢠Senate Elections (12 December 1906) made minor alterations concerning Senate elections and terms of Senators ⢠State Debts (13 April 1910) allowed the
Commonwealth takeover of State debts
⢠State Debts (17 November 1928) formalised the position of the Loan Council
⢠Social Services (28 September 1946) gave the Commonwealth power to provide certain social services
⢠Aborigines (27 May 1967) gave the Commonwealth power to make laws for Aboriginal people resident in the States and to include all Aboriginal people in the national census
⢠Casual Vacancies (21 May 1977) aimed at ensuring that a replacement Senator should be from the same party as the departing Senator ⢠Territory Votes (21 May 1977) gave
residents of the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory the right to vote in constitutional referendums ⢠Retirement of Judges (21 May 1977)
provided for a retirement age for all federal judges.
Plebiscites Issues put to the people in the form of a referendum, but not affecting the Constitution, are usually called plebiscites. Three national plebiscites have been held: two on the conscription of troops during World War I and one on a national song in 1977.
The following pages show the voting figures at each referendum and plebiscite since the establishment of the Commonwealth.
Note that for all referendums up to and including that for 13 December 1919 the sum of ‘For’, ‘Against’ and ‘Informal’ does not equal ‘Number to whom ballot papers were issued’. The difference is ‘Ballot papers issued but not accounted for’.
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Referendum results
12 December 1906 Senate Elections: Submission to the electors of a proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled: Constitution Alteration (Senate Elections) 1906
This Act (No. 1 of 1907) made minor machinery alterations to section 13 of the Constitution governing the rotation of Senators and the wording of provisions relating to their term of service, to enable elections for both Houses to be held concurrently as a matter of convenience.
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
New South Wales 737 599 381 019 286 888 83.85 55 261 16.15 37 929
Victoria 672 054 380 953 282 739 83.10 57 487 16.90 38 936
Queensland 271 109 124 352 81 295 76.84 24 502 23.16 15 325
South Australia 193 118 70 479 54 297 86.99 8 121 13.01 7 892
Western Australia 145 473 52 712 34 736 78.93 9 274 21.07 6 312
Tasmania 90 209 48 762 34 056 81.32 7 825 18.68 5 761
Total for Commonwealth 2 109 562 1 058 277 774 011 82.65 162 470 17.35 112 155 Obtained majority in all six States and an overall majority of 611 541 votes. Carried
13 April 1910
State Debts; Surplus Revenue: Submissions to the electors of proposed laws for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled:
(i) Constitution Alteration (State Debts) 1909, and (ii) Constitution Alteration (Finance). The first proposal, which was approved, amended section 105 to give the Commonwealth unrestricted power to take over State debts. The second proposal, which was not carried, was to amend section 87 (the Braddon Clause) in order to implement without delay an agreement whereby the Commonwealth would make a fixed payment out of surplus revenue to the States on a per capita basis, in substitution for three-fourths of the net revenue originally provided in section 87.
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(i) New South Wales 834 662 512 802 159 275 33.34 318 412 66.66 34 060
Victoria 703 699 468 535 279 392 64.59 153 148 35.41 33 824
Queensland 279 031 170 634 102 705 64.57 56 346 35.43 9 971
South Australia 207 655 110 503 72 985 73.18 26 742 26.82 10 252
Western Australia 134 979 83 893 57 367 72.80 21 437 27.20 4 324
Tasmania 98 456 57 609 43 329 80.97 10 186 19.03 3 778
Total for Commonwealth 2 258 482 1 403 976 715 053 54.95 586 271 45.05 96 209
Obtained majority in five States and an overall majority of 128 782 votes. Carried
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State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(ii) New South Wales 834 662 512 802 227 650 47.35 253 107 52.65 31 411
Victoria 703 699 468 535 200 165 45.26 242 119 54.74 24 299
Queensland 279 031 170 634 87 130 54.58 72 516 45.42 9 489
South Australia 207 655 110 503 49 352 49.06 51 250 50.94 9 679
Western Australia 134 979 83 893 49 050 61.74 30 392 38.26 3 890
Tasmania 98 456 57 609 32 167 59.99 21 454 40.01 3 669
Total for Commonwealth 2 258 482 1 403 976 645 514 49.04 670 838 50.96 82 437
Obtained majority in three States and an overall minority of 25 324 votes. Not carried
26 April 1911 Trade and commerce: Nationalisation of Monopolies: Submissions to the electors of proposed laws for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled: (i) Constitution Alteration (Legislative Powers), and
(ii) Constitution Alteration (Monopolies). The two amendments submitted at this Referendum were: (i) to extend the Commonwealth’s powers with regard to trade and commerce, the control of corporations, labour and employment, including wages and conditions and the settling of disputes, and combinations and monopolies, and (ii) to give power to the Commonwealth to nationalise any industry declared to be the subject of a monopoly by both Houses of Parliament. Both amendments were rejected.
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(i) New South Wales 868 194 384 188 135 968 36.11 240 605 63.89 7 396
Victoria 723 377 448 566 170 288 38.64 270 390 61.36 7 554
Queensland 293 003 162 135 69 552 43.75 89 420 56.25 3 002
South Australia 216 027 133 802 50 358 38.07 81 904 61.93 1 374
Western Australia 138 697 61 482 33 043 54.86 27 185 45.14 870
Tasmania 102 326 58 053 24 147 42.11 33 200 57.89 673
Total for Commonwealth 2 341 624 1 248 226 483 356 39.42 742 704 60.58 20 869
Obtained majority in one State and an overall minority of 259 348 votes. Not carried
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State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(ii) New South Wales 868 194 384 188 138 237 36.72 238 177 63.28 7 618
Victoria 723 377 448 566 171 453 38.95 268 743 61.05 8 041
Queensland 293 003 162 135 70 259 44.26 88 472 55.74 3 200
South Australia 216 027 133 802 50 835 38.42 81 479 61.58 1 344
Western Australia 138 697 61 482 33 592 55.84 26 561 44.16 898
Tasmania 102 326 58 053 24 292 42.43 32 960 57.57 753
Total for Commonwealth 2 341 624 1 248 226 488 668 39.89 736 392 60.11 21 854
Obtained majority in one State and an overall minority of 247 724 votes. Not carried
31 May 1913 Trade and commerce; corporations; industrial matters; trusts; nationalisation of monopolies; railway disputes On this date, the previously rejected proposals were again put to the electorate, but, on this occasion, as five distinct amendments, together with a sixth, the purpose of which was to give jurisdiction to the Commonwealth over industrial relations in the State railway services. All proposals were rejected. (i) Submission to the electors of a proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled:
Constitution Alteration (Trade and Commerce)
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(i) New South Wales 1 036 187 717 855 317 848 46.93 359 418 53.07 39 333
Victoria 830 391 626 861 297 290 49.12 307 975 50.88 21 268
Queensland 363 082 280 525 146 187 54.34 122 813 45.66 11 304
South Australia 244 026 195 463 96 085 51.32 91 144 48.68 8 017
Western Australia 179 784 132 149 66 349 52.86 59 181 47.14 6 286
Tasmania 106 746 80 398 34 660 45.16 42 084 54.84 3 528
Total for Commonwealth 2 760 216 2 033 251 958 419 49.38 982 615 50.62 89 736
Obtained majority in three States and an overall minority of 24 196 votes. Not carried
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(ii) Submission to the electors of a proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled:
Constitution Alteration (Corporations)
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(ii) New South Wales 1 036 187 717 855 317 668 46.79 361 255 53.21 37 676
Victoria 830 391 626 861 298 479 49.14 308 915 50.86 19 139
Queensland 363 082 280 525 146 936 54.31 123 632 45.69 9 736
South Australia 244 026 195 463 96 309 51.34 91 273 48.66 7 664
Western Australia 179 784 132 149 66 595 52.84 59 445 47.16 5 776
Tasmania 106 746 80 398 34 724 45.08 42 304 54.92 3 244
Total for Commonwealth 2 760 216 2 033 251 960 711 49.33 986 824 50.67 83 235
Obtained majority in three States and an overall minority of 26 113 votes. Not carried
(iii) Submission to the electors of a proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled:
Constitution Alteration (Industrial Matters)
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(iii) New South Wales 1 036 187 717 855 318 622 46.88 361 044 53.12 36 933
Victoria 830 391 626 861 297 892 49.02 309 804 50.98 18 837
Queensland 363 082 280 525 147 171 54.36 123 554 45.64 9 579
South Australia 244 026 195 463 96 626 51.40 91 361 48.60 7 259
Western Australia 179 784 132 149 66 451 52.71 59 612 47.29 5 753
Tasmania 106 746 80 398 34 839 45.20 42 236 54.80 3 197
Total for Commonwealth 2 760 216 2 033 251 961 601 49.33 987 611 50.67 81 558
Obtained majority in three States and an overall minority of 26 010 votes. Not carried
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(iv) Submission to the electors of a proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled:
Constitution Alteration (Trusts)
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(iv) New South Wales 1 036 187 717 855 319 150 47.12 358 155 52.88 39 294
Victoria 830 391 626 861 301 729 49.71 305 268 50.29 19 536
Queensland 363 082 280 525 147 871 54.78 122 088 45.22 10 345
South Australia 244 026 195 463 96 400 51.67 90 185 48.33 8 661
Western Australia 179 784 132 149 67 342 53.59 58 312 46.41 6 162
Tasmania 106 746 80 398 34 839 45.38 41 935 54.62 3 498
Total for Commonwealth 2 760 216 2 033 251 967 331 49.78 975 943 50.22 87 496
Obtained majority in three States and an overall minority of 8 612 votes. Not carried
(v) Submission to the electors of a proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled:
Constitution Alteration (Nationalisation of Monopolies)
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(v) New South Wales 1 036 187 717 855 301 192 46.85 341 724 53.15 73 683
Victoria 830 391 626 861 287 379 49.07 298 326 50.93 40 828
Queensland 363 082 280 525 139 019 54.17 117 609 45.83 23 676
South Australia 244 026 195 463 91 411 51.26 86 915 48.74 16 920
Western Australia 179 784 132 149 64 988 53.19 57 184 46.81 9 644
Tasmania 106 746 80 398 33 176 45.22 40 189 54.78 6 907
Total for Commonwealth 2 760 216 2 033 251 917 165 49.33 941 947 50.67 171 658 Obtained majority in three States and an overall minority of 24 782 votes. Not carried
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(vi) Submission to the electors of a proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled:
Constitution Alteration (Railways Disputes)
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(vi) New South Wales 1 036 187 717 855 316 928 46.70 361 743 53.30 37 928
Victoria 830 391 626 861 296 255 48.79 310 921 51.21 19 357
Queensland 363 082 280 525 146 521 54.19 123 859 45.81 9 924
South Australia 244 026 195 463 96 072 51.28 91 262 48.72 7 912
Western Australia 179 784 132 149 65 957 52.38 59 965 47.62 5 894
Tasmania 106 746 80 398 34 625 45.01 42 296 54.99 3 351
Total for Commonwealth 2 760 216 2 033 251 956 358 49.13 990 046 50.87 84 366
Obtained majority in three States and an overall minority of 33 688 votes. Not carried
13 December 1919 Legislative Powers; Nationalisation of Monopolies: Submissions to the electors of proposed laws for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled: (i) Constitution Alteration (Legislative Powers), and
(ii) Constitution Alteration (Nationalisation of Monopolies). By these measures, the Commonwealth sought temporary extension of its legislative powers in regard to trade and commerce, corporations, industrial matters and trusts, also in regard to nationalisation of monopolies. Both proposals failed.
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(i) New South Wales 1 079 439 717 565 259 751 39.95 390 450 60.05 67 132
Victoria 837 408 638 098 369 210 64.65 201 869 35.35 66 227
Queensland 389 200 330 231 175 225 57.35 130 299 42.65 24 397
South Australia 268 235 178 092 40 520 25.28 119 789 74.72 17 656
Western Australia 163 544 103 235 48 142 51.75 44 892 48.25 9 854
Tasmania 112 036 65 716 18 509 33.43 36 861 66.57 10 128
Total for Commonwealth 2 849 862 2 032 937 911 357 49.65 924 160 50.35 195 394 Obtained majority in three States and an overall minority of 12 803 votes. Not carried
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State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(ii) New South Wales 1 079 439 717 565 227 156 38.31 365 847 61.69 124 330
Victoria 837 408 638 098 324 343 63.29 188 129 36.71 124 834
Queensland 389 200 330 231 162 062 56.92 122 650 43.08 45 209
South Australia 268 235 178 092 38 503 25.54 112 259 74.46 27 203
Western Australia 163 544 103 235 45 285 53.99 38 584 46.01 19 019
Tasmania 112 036 65 716 16 531 34.08 31 982 65.92 16 985
Total for Commonwealth 2 849 862 2 032 937 813 880 48.64 859 451 51.36 357 580 Obtained majority in three States and an overall minority of 45 571 votes. Not carried
4 September 1926 Industry and Commerce; Essential Services: Submissions to the electors of proposed laws for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled: (i) Constitution Alteration (Industry and Commerce), and
(ii) Constitution Alteration (Essential Services). The first of these proposals sought to authorise the creation of authorities to control the terms and conditions of industrial employment, to invest State authorities with powers similar to those vested in Commonwealth authorities, and to regulate and control trusts and combinations. The second proposal sought to empower the Commonwealth to take measures to protect the public against interruption of essential services. Neither was approved.
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(i) New South Wales 1 241 635 1 131 656 566 973 51.53 533 284 48.47 31 399
Victoria 968 861 888 661 310 261 36.23 546 138 63.77 32 262
Queensland 440 632 399 664 202 691 52.10 186 374 47.90 10 599
South Australia 303 054 281 492 78 983 29.32 190 396 70.68 12 113
Western Australia 190 286 164 555 46 469 29.29 112 185 70.71 5 901
Tasmania 110 484 98 356 41 711 44.86 51 278 55.14 5 367
Total for Commonwealth 3 254 952 2 964 384 1 247 088 43.50 1 619 655 56.50 97 641 Obtained majority in two States and an overall minority of 372 567 votes. Not carried
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State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(ii) New South Wales 1 241 635 1 131 656 545 270 50.39 536 734 49.61 49 652
Victoria 968 861 888 661 296 548 35.55 537 560 64.45 54 553
Queensland 440 632 399 664 188 473 50.56 184 320 49.44 26 871
South Australia 303 054 281 492 81 966 31.32 179 740 68.68 19 786
Western Australia 190 286 164 555 39 566 25.90 113 222 74.10 11 767
Tasmania 110 484 98 356 43 679 48.59 46 217 51.41 8 460
Total for Commonwealth 3 254 952 2 964 384 1 195 502 42.80 1 597 793 57.20 171 089 Obtained majority in two States and an overall minority of 402 291 votes. Not carried
17 November 1928 State Debts: Submission to the electors of a proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled: Constitution Alteration (State Debts)
This proposal was to insert in the Constitution section 105A which enabled the Commonwealth to ratify an agreement which had already been accepted by all the Australian Governments—in effect, terminating the system of per capita payments which had been made by the Commonwealth since 1910, and restricting the right of each State to borrow for its own development, by subjecting that borrowing to control by a Loan Council. This proposal was approved.
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
New South Wales 1 335 660 1 244 918 754 446 64.47 415 846 35.53 74 626
Victoria 1 006 463 953 477 791 425 87.78 110 143 12.22 51 909
Queensland 465 423 435 298 367 257 88.60 47 250 11.40 20 791
South Australia 319 584 301 179 164 628 62.68 98 017 37.32 38 534
Western Australia 203 146 183 475 96 913 57.53 71 552 42.47 15 010
Tasmania 114 490 106 153 62 722 66.89 31 044 33.11 12 387
Total for Commonwealth 3 444 766 3 224 500 2 237 391 74.30 773 852 25.70 213 257 Obtained majority in all six States and an overall majority of 1 463 539 votes. Carried
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6 March 1937
Aviation: Marketing: Submissions to the electors of proposed laws for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled: (i) Constitution Alteration (Aviation) 1936, and (ii) Constitution Alteration (Marketing) 1936.
These amendments were to empower the Commonwealth to legislate with respect to air navigation and aircraft, and with respect to marketing, so as to remove the restraints imposed on the Commonwealth Parliament by section 92. Both were defeated.
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(i) New South Wales 1 550 947 1 461 860 664 589 47.25 741 821 52.75 55 450
Victoria 1 128 492 1 074 278 675 481 65.10 362 112 34.90 36 685
Queensland 562 240 519 933 310 352 61.87 191 251 38.13 18 330
South Australia 358 069 341 444 128 582 40.13 191 831 59.87 21 031
Western Australia 247 536 221 832 100 326 47.58 110 529 52.42 10 977
Tasmania 133 444 125 016 45 616 38.94 71 518 61.06 7 882
Total for Commonwealth 3 980 728 3 744 363 1 924 946 53.56 1 669 062 46.44 150 355 Obtained majority in two States and an overall majority of 255 884 votes. Not carried
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(ii) New South Wales 1 550 947 1 461 860 456 802 33.76 896 457 66.24 108 601
Victoria 1 128 492 1 074 278 468 337 46.58 537 021 53.42 68 920
Queensland 562 240 519 933 187 685 38.78 296 302 61.22 35 946
South Australia 358 069 341 444 65 364 20.83 248 502 79.17 27 578
Western Australia 247 536 221 832 57 023 27.77 148 308 72.23 16 501
Tasmania 133 444 125 016 24 597 21.88 87 798 78.12 12 621
Total for Commonwealth 3 980 728 3 744 363 1 259 808 36.26 2 214 388 63.74 270 167 Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 954 580 votes. Not carried
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19 August 1944
Post-war Reconstruction and Democratic Rights: Submission to the electors upon proposed law to alter the Constitution with respect to: Post-war Reconstruction and Democratic Rights (The ‘Fourteen Powers’ or ‘Fourteen Points’ Referendum)
It was proposed by this measure to insert a new section (60A) in the Constitution, empowering the Commonwealth, for a period of five years, to legislate with respect to the fourteen specified matters, which included the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen, national health, family allowances and ‘the people of Aboriginal race’ as well as, in some form, many of the matters on which powers to legislate had been sought in 1911. There were also to be inserted Constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech and religion and safeguards against the abuse of delegated legislative power. Electors were required to vote for the proposed alterations as a whole. The proposal was rejected.
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
New South Wales 1 758 166 1 694 119 759 211 45.44 911 680 54.56 23 228
Victoria 1 266 662 1 227 571 597 848 49.31 614 487 50.69 15 236
Queensland 633 907 599 568 216 262 36.52 375 862 63.48 7 444
South Australia 403 133 392 443 196 294 50.64 191 317 49.36 4 832
Western Australia 278 722 272 339 140 399 52.25 128 303 47.75 3 637
Tasmania 143 359 139 411 53 386 38.92 83 769 61.08 2 256
Total for Commonwealth 4 483 949 4 325 451* 1 963 400 45.99 2 305 418 54.01 56 633 * Including 417 082 votes by members of the Forces, of which 218 452 were for, 195 148 against and 3482 informal.
Obtained majority in two States and an overall minority of 342 018 votes.
Not carried
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28 September 1946
Social Services; Marketing; Industrial Employment: Submissions to the electors of proposed laws for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled: (i) Constitution Alteration (Social Services) 1946, (ii) Constitution Alteration (Organised Marketing of Primary Products) 1946, and
(iii) Constitution Alteration (Industrial Employment) 1946. By these proposals, power was to be given to the Commonwealth Parliament to legislate on a wide range of social services, also to make laws with respect to the organised marketing of primary products, unrestricted by section 92, and on the terms and conditions of industrial employment (but not so as to authorise any form of industrial conscription). Only the social services proposal was favoured by a majority of States, although a majority of electors favoured all three amendments. As a result of its acceptance, placitum xxiiiA was inserted in section 51.
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(i) New South Wales 1 858 749 1 757 150 897 887 54.00 764 723 46.00 94 540
Victoria 1 345 537 1 261 374 671 967 55.98 528 452 44.02 60 955
Queensland 660 316 612 170 299 205 51.26 284 465 48.74 28 500
South Australia 420 361 399 301 197 395 51.73 184 172 48.27 17 734
Western Australia 300 337 279 066 164 017 62.26 99 412 37.74 15 637
Tasmania 154 553 144 880 67 463 50.58 65 924 49.42 11 493
Total for Commonwealth 4 739 853 4 453 941* 2 297 934 54.39 1 927 148 45.61 228 859 * Including 37 021 votes by members of the Forces of which in the case of ( i) 22 824 were for, 13 211 against and 986 informal; (ii) 19 924 for, 15 997 against, 1100 informal, and ( iii) 20 445 for, 15 239 against, 1337 informal.
Obtained majority in all six States and an overall majority of 370 786 votes.
Carried
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(ii) New South Wales 1 858 749 1 757 150 855 233 51.83 794 852 48.17 107 065
Victoria 1 345 537 1 261 374 624 343 52.37 567 860 47.63 69 171
Queensland 660 316 612 170 251 672 43.74 323 678 56.26 36 820
South Australia 420 361 399 301 183 674 48.74 193 201 51.26 22 426
Western Australia 300 337 279 066 145 781 56.21 113 562 43.79 19 723
Tasmania 154 553 144 880 55 561 42.55 75 018 57.45 14 301
Total for Commonwealth 4 739 853 4 453 941* 2 116 264 50.57 2 068 171 49.43 269 506 * See note under (i) above.
Obtained majority in three States and an overall majority of 48 093 votes.
Not carried
R E F E R E N D U M S ⢠R e f e r e n d u m r e s u l t s 5 3 7
P A R L I A M E N T A R Y H A N D B O O K O F T H E C O M M O N W E A L T H O F A U S T R A L I A T w e n t y - E i g h t h E d i t i o n 1 9 9 9
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(iii) New South Wales 1 858 749 1 757 150 833 822 51.72 778 280 48.28 145 048
Victoria 1 345 537 1 261 374 609 355 52.08 560 773 47.92 91 246
Queensland 660 316 612 170 243 242 43.42 316 970 56.58 51 958
South Australia 420 361 399 301 179 153 48.20 192 516 51.80 27 632
Western Australia 300 337 279 066 142 186 55.74 112 881 44.26 23 999
Tasmania 154 553 144 880 52 517 41.37 74 440 58.63 17 923
Total for Commonwealth 4 739 853 4 453 941* 2 060 275 50.30 2 035 860 49.70 357 806 * See note under (i) on previous page.
Obtained majority in three States and an overall majority of 24 415 votes.
Not carried
29 May 1948 Rents and Prices: Submission to the electors of a proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled: Constitution Alteration (Rents and Prices) 1947
This proposal would have given the Commonwealth permanent power to control rents and prices. It was rejected, and as a result of its rejection the Commonwealth divested itself of its war-time controls, transferring them to the States.
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
New South Wales 1 880 779 1 762 091 723 183 41.66 1 012 639 58.34 26 269
Victoria 1 351 853 1 270 037 559 361 44.63 693 937 55.37 16 739
Queensland 669 555 617 678 187 955 30.80 422 236 69.20 7 487
South Australia 422 809 402 778 167 171 42.15 229 438 57.85 6 169
Western Australia 301 223 278 282 105 605 38.59 168 088 61.41 4 589
Tasmania 157 668 145 135 50 437 35.45 91 845 64.55 2 853
Total for Commonwealth 4 783 887 4 476 001* 1 793 712 40.66 2 618 183 59.34 64 106 * Includes 11 905 votes by members of the Forces, of which 6557 were for, 5213 against and 135 informal.
Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 824 471 votes.
Not carried
5 3 8 R E F E R E N D U M S ⢠R e f e r e n d u m r e s u l t s
P A R L I A M E N T A R Y H A N D B O O K O F T H E C O M M O N W E A L T H O F A U S T R A L I A T w e n t y - E i g h t h E d i t i o n 1 9 9 9
22 September 1951
Communists and Communism: Submission to the electors on the proposed law: Constitution Alteration (Powers to Deal with Communists and Communism) 1951 Following a High Court decision that the Communist Party Dissolution Act 1950 was beyond the existing powers of the Commonwealth Parliament, the electors were asked to approve the addition of a new section (51A) to the Constitution, which would empower the Commonwealth Parliament to make laws in respect of Communists and Communism where this was necessary for the security of the Commonwealth. The nature of the powers sought was not approved in many quarters, and the proposal was not carried.
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
New South Wales 1 944 219 1 861 147 865 838 47.17 969 868 52.83 25 441
Victoria 1 393 556 1 326 024 636 819 48.71 670 513 51.29 18 692
Queensland 709 328 675 916 373 156 55.76 296 019 44.24 6 741
South Australia 442 983 427 253 198 971 47.29 221 763 52.71 6 519
Western Australia 319 383 305 653 164 989 55.09 134 497 44.91 6 167
Tasmania 164 868 158 596 78 154 50.26 77 349 49.74 3 093
Total for Commonwealth 4 974 337 4 754 589* 2 317 927 49.44 2 370 009 50.56 66 653 *Including 9472 votes by members of the Forces, of which 6478 were for, 2917 against and 82 informal.
Obtained majority in three States and an overall minority of 52 082 votes.
Not carried
27 May 1967 Parliament; Aboriginals: Submission to the electors of proposed laws for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled: (i) Constitution Alteration (Parliament) 1967, and
(ii) Constitution Alteration (Aboriginals) 1967. The first of these proposals sought to alter the Constitution so that the number of Members of the House of Representatives could be increased without necessarily increasing the number of Senators. This proposal was rejected. The second proposal sought to remove any ground for the belief that the Constitution discriminated against people of the Aboriginal race, and, at the same time, to make it possible for the Commonwealth Parliament to enact special laws for these people. This proposal was carried.
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(i) New South Wales 2 315 828 2 166 507 1 087 694 51.01 1 044 458 48.99 34 355
Victoria 1 734 476 1 630 594 496 826 30.87 1 112 506 69.13 21 262
Queensland 904 808 848 728 370 200 44.13 468 673 55.87 9 855
South Australia 590 275 560 844 186 344 33.91 363 120 66.09 11 380
Western Australia 437 609 405 666 114 841 29.05 280 523 70.95 10 302
Tasmania 199 589 189 245 42 764 23.06 142 660 76.94 3 821
Total for Commonwealth 6 182 585 5 801 584 2 298 669 40.25 3 411 940 59.75 90 975 Obtained majority in one State and an overall minority of 1 113 271 votes. Not carried
R E F E R E N D U M S ⢠R e f e r e n d u m r e s u l t s 5 3 9
P A R L I A M E N T A R Y H A N D B O O K O F T H E C O M M O N W E A L T H O F A U S T R A L I A T w e n t y - E i g h t h E d i t i o n 1 9 9 9
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(ii) New South Wales 2 315 828 2 166 507 1 949 036 91.46 182 010 8.54 35 461
Victoria 1 734 476 1 630 594 1 525 026 94.68 85 611 5.32 19 957
Queensland 904 808 848 728 748 612 89.21 90 587 10.79 9 529
South Australia 590 275 560 844 473 440 86.26 75 383 13.74 12 021
Western Australia 437 609 405 666 319 823 80.95 75 282 19.05 10 561
Tasmania 199 589 189 245 167 176 90.21 18 134 9.79 3 935
Total for Commonwealth 6 182 585 5 801 584 5 183 113 90.77 527 007 9.23 91 464
Obtained majority in all six States and an overall majority of 4 656 106 votes. Carried
8 December 1973 Prices; Incomes: Submissions to the electors of proposed laws for the alteration of the Consti tution, entitled: (i) Constitution Alteration (Prices) 1973, and
(ii) Constitution Alteration (Incomes) 1973. The first of these proposals to alter the Constitution sought to give power to the Australian Government to control prices and the other was to enable the Australian Government to legislate with respect to incomes. Both proposals were rejected by the electors in all States.
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(i) New South Wales 2 827 989 2 618 673 1 257 499 48.55 1 332 485 51.45 28 689
Victoria 2 129 494 2 001 924 891 144 45.18 1 081 120 54.82 29 660
Queensland 1 128 417 1 055 299 402 506 38.47 643 770 61.53 9 023
South Australia 737 573 700 333 282 754 41.16 404 181 58.84 13 398
Western Australia 588 789 542 122 169 605 31.90 362 121 68.10 10 396
Tasmania 241 207 229 016 85 631 38.22 138 416 61.78 4 969
Total for Commonwealth 7 653 469 7 147 367 3 089 139 43.81 3 962 093 56.19 96 135 Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 872 954 votes. Not carried
5 4 0 R E F E R E N D U M S ⢠R e f e r e n d u m r e s u l t s
P A R L I A M E N T A R Y H A N D B O O K O F T H E C O M M O N W E A L T H O F A U S T R A L I A T w e n t y - E i g h t h E d i t i o n 1 9 9 9
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(ii) New South Wales 2 827 989 2 618 673 1 041 429 40.31 1 542 217 59.69 35 027
Victoria 2 129 494 2 001 924 657 756 33.44 1 309 302 66.56 34 866
Queensland 1 128 417 1 055 299 331 163 31.70 713 562 68.30 10 574
South Australia 737 573 700 333 193 301 28.25 490 943 71.75 16 089
Western Australia 588 789 542 122 133 531 25.21 396 199 74.79 12 392
Tasmania 241 207 229 016 63 135 28.31 159 862 71.69 6 019
Total for Commonwealth 7 653 469 7 147 367 2 420 315 34.42 4 612 085 65.58 114 967 Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 2 191 770 votes. Not carried
18 May 1974 Simultaneous Elections; Mode of Altering the Constitution; Democratic Elections; Local Government Bodies: Submissions to the electors of proposed laws for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled:
(i) Constitution Alteration (Simultaneous Elections) 1974, (ii) Constitution Alteration (Mode of Altering the Constitution) 1974, (iii) Constitution Alteration (Democratic Elections) 1974, and (iv) Constitution Alteration (Local Government Bodies) 1974. The first of these proposals to alter the Constitution sought to hold elections for the Senate and the House of Representatives on the same day. Simultaneous elections for both Houses had been held from Federation up to 1961 except on one occasion, but they got out of step from 1961. The second proposal sought firstly to give a vote in referendums to electors in the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory and secondly to enable amendments to be made to the Constitution if approved by a majority of Australian voters and a majority of voters in half the States. The third proposal sought to make population instead of electors, as at present, the basis of determining the average size of electorates in each State. The fourth proposal sought to give the Australian Government powers to borrow money for, and to make financial assistance grants directly to, any local government body. All the proposals were rejected by a majority of States.
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(i) New South Wales 2 834 558 2 702 903 1 359 485 51.06 1 303 117 48.94 40 301
Victoria 2 161 474 2 070 893 1 001 111 49.19 1 033 969 50.81 35 813
Queensland 1 154 762 1 098 401 481 092 44.32 604 444 55.68 12 865
South Australia 750 308 722 434 332 369 47.14 372 666 52.86 17 399
Western Australia 612 016 577 989 248 860 44.07 315 786 55.93 13 343
Tasmania 246 596 237 891 96 793 41.37 137 156 58.63 3 942
Total for Commonwealth 7 759 714 7 410 511 3 519 710 48.30 3 767 138 51.70 123 663 Obtained majority in one State and an overall minority of 247 428 votes. Not carried
R E F E R E N D U M S ⢠R e f e r e n d u m r e s u l t s 5 4 1
P A R L I A M E N T A R Y H A N D B O O K O F T H E C O M M O N W E A L T H O F A U S T R A L I A T w e n t y - E i g h t h E d i t i o n 1 9 9 9
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(ii) New South Wales 2 834 558 2 702 903 1 367 476 51.35 1 295 621 48.65 39 806
Victoria 2 161 474 2 070 893 1 001 753 49.22 1 033 486 50.78 35 654
Queensland 1 154 762 1 098 401 480 926 44.29 604 816 55.71 12 659
South Australia 750 308 722 434 311 954 44.26 392 891 55.74 17 589
Western Australia 612 016 577 989 240 134 42.53 324 435 57.47 13 420
Tasmania 246 596 237 891 95 264 40.72 138 674 59.28 3 953
Total for Commonwealth 7 759 714 7 410 511 3 497 507 47.99 3 789 923 52.01 123 081 Obtained majority in one State and an overall minority of 292 416 votes. Not carried
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(iii) New South Wales 2 834 558 2 702 903 1 345 983 50.55 1 316 837 49.45 40 083
Victoria 2 161 474 2 070 893 970 903 47.71 1 064 023 52.29 35 967
Queensland 1 154 762 1 098 401 474 337 43.70 611 135 56.30 12 929
South Australia 750 308 722 434 310 839 44.11 393 857 55.89 17 738
Western Australia 612 016 577 989 241 946 42.86 322 587 57.14 13 456
Tasmania 246 596 237 891 95 463 40.81 138 430 59.19 3 998
Total for Commonwealth 7 759 714 7 410 511 3 439 471 47.20 3 846 869 52.80 124 171 Obtained majority in one State and an overall minority of 407 398 votes. Not carried
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(iv) New South Wales 2 834 558 2 702 903 1 350 274 50.79 1 308 039 49.21 44 590
Victoria 2 161 474 2 070 893 961 664 47.38 1 068 120 52.62 41 109
Queensland 1 154 762 1 098 401 473 465 43.68 610 537 56.32 14 399
South Australia 750 308 722 434 298 489 42.52 403 479 57.48 20 466
Western Australia 612 016 577 989 229 337 40.67 334 529 59.33 14 123
Tasmania 246 596 237 891 93 495 40.03 140 073 59.97 4 323
Total for Commonwealth 7 759 714 7 410 511 3 406 724 46.85 3 864 777 53.15 139 010 Obtained majority in one State and an overall minority of 458 053 votes. Not carried
5 4 2 R E F E R E N D U M S ⢠R e f e r e n d u m r e s u l t s
P A R L I A M E N T A R Y H A N D B O O K O F T H E C O M M O N W E A L T H O F A U S T R A L I A T w e n t y - E i g h t h E d i t i o n 1 9 9 9
21 May 1977
Simultaneous Elections; Senate Casual Vacancies; Referendums; Retirement of Judges: Submissions to the electors of proposed laws for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled: (i) Constitution Alteration (Simultaneous Elections) 1977, (ii) Constitution Alteration (Senate Casual Vacancies) 1977,
(iii) Constitution Alteration (Referendums) 1977, and (iv) Constitution Alteration (Retirement of Judges) 1977. The first of these proposals to alter the Constitution sought to ensure that Senate elections are held at the same time as House of Representatives elections. While the Constitution does not prevent such simultaneous elections, since 1961 the elections for both Houses have generally been out of step. The second proposal sought to ensure as far as practicable that a casual vacancy in the Senate is filled by a person of the same political party as the Senator chosen by the people and that that person shall hold the seat for the balance of the term. The third proposal sought to allow electors in Territories, as well as electors in the States, to vote at referendums on proposed laws to alter the Constitution. The fourth proposal sought to provide for retiring ages for judges of Federal Courts. The first proposal, re Simultaneous Elections, received a majority in three States only and therefore was not carried. The remaining three proposals, having received majorities in all six States, were carried.
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(i) New South Wales 3 007 511 2 774 388 1 931 775 70.71 800 331 29.29 42 282
Victoria 2 252 831 2 083 136 1 325 708 65.00 713 929 35.00 43 499
Queensland 1 241 426 1 138 842 534 968 47.51 590 942 52.49 12 932
South Australia 799 243 745 990 480 827 65.99 247 762 34.01 17 401
Western Australia 682 291 617 463 292 344 48.47 310 765 51.53 14 354
Tasmania 259 081 246 063 82 785 34.26 158 818 65.74 4 460
Total for Commonwealth 8 242 383 7 605 882 4 648 407 62.22 2 822 547 37.78 134 928 Obtained majority in three States and an overall majority of 1 825 860 votes. Not carried
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(ii) New South Wales 3 007 511 2 774 388 2 230 218 81.62 502 171 18.38 41 999
Victoria 2 252 831 2 083 136 1 552 558 76.13 486 798 23.87 43 780
Queensland 1 241 426 1 138 842 662 732 58.86 463 165 41.14 12 945
South Australia 799 243 745 990 557 950 76.59 170 536 23.41 17 504
Western Australia 682 291 617 463 344 389 57.11 258 655 42.89 14 419
Tasmania 259 081 246 063 129 924 53.78 111 638 46.22 4 501
Total for Commonwealth 8 242 383 7 605 882 5 477 771 73.32 1 992 963 26.68 135 148 Obtained majority in all six States and an overall majority of 3 484 808 votes. Carried
R E F E R E N D U M S ⢠R e f e r e n d u m r e s u l t s 5 4 3
P A R L I A M E N T A R Y H A N D B O O K O F T H E C O M M O N W E A L T H O F A U S T R A L I A T w e n t y - E i g h t h E d i t i o n 1 9 9 9
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(iii) New South Wales 3 007 511 2 774 388 2 292 822 83.92 439 247 16.08 42 319
Victoria 2 252 831 2 083 136 1 647 187 80.78 391 855 19.22 44 094
Queensland 1 241 426 1 138 842 670 820 59.58 455 051 40.42 12 971
South Australia 799 243 745 990 606 743 83.29 121 770 16.71 17 477
Western Australia 682 291 617 463 437 751 72.62 165 049 27.38 14 663
Tasmania 259 081 246 063 150 346 62.25 91 184 37.75 4 533
Total for Commonwealth 8 242 383 7 605 882 5 805 669 77.72 1 664 156 22.28 136 057 Obtained majority in all six States and an overall majority of 4 141 513 votes. Carried
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(iv) New South Wales 3 007 511 2 774 388 2 316 999 84.84 414 070 15.16 43 319
Victoria 2 252 831 2 083 136 1 659 273 81.43 378 505 18.57 45 358
Queensland 1 241 426 1 138 842 734 183 65.24 391 227 34.76 13 432
South Australia 799 243 745 990 622 760 85.57 104 987 14.43 18 243
Western Australia 682 291 617 463 472 228 78.37 130 307 21.63 14 928
Tasmania 259 081 246 063 174 951 72.46 66 478 27.54 4 634
Total for Commonwealth 8 242 383 7 605 882 5 980 394 80.10 1 485 574 19.90 139 914 Obtained majority in all six States and an overall majority of 4 494 820 votes. Carried
5 4 4 R E F E R E N D U M S ⢠R e f e r e n d u m r e s u l t s
P A R L I A M E N T A R Y H A N D B O O K O F T H E C O M M O N W E A L T H O F A U S T R A L I A T w e n t y - E i g h t h E d i t i o n 1 9 9 9
1 December 1984
Terms of Senators; Interchange of Powers: Submissions to the electors of proposed laws for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled: (i) Constitution Alteration (Terms of Senators) 1984, and (ii) Constitution Alteration (Interchange of Powers) 1984.
The first of these proposals to alter the Constitution sought to require that Senate elections were held simultaneously with those of the House of Representatives. The second proposal sought to enable the Commonwealth and the States to voluntarily refer powers to each other. Both proposals were rejected.
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(i) New South Wales 3 423 624 3 216 256 1 621 894 52.86 1 446 150 47.14 148 212
Victoria 2 617 291 2 475 891 1 244 451 53.20 1 094 760 46.80 136 680
Queensland 1 549 749 1 447 284 642 768 45.65 765 329 54.35 39 187
South Australia 908 424 856 226 398 127 49.98 398 463 50.02 59 636
Western Australia 858 763 806 637 358 502 46.47 412 996 53.53 35 139
Tasmania 289 142 277 100 102 762 39.29 158 777 60.71 15 561
Australian Capital Territory 150 416 140 982 76 901 56.68 58 764 43.32 5 317
Northern Territory 68 857 58 668 28 310 51.87 26 265 48.13 4 093
Total for Commonwealth 9 866 266 9 279 044 4 473 715 50.64 4 361 504 49.36 443 825 Obtained majority in two States and an overall majority of 112 211 votes. Not carried
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(ii) New South Wales 3 423 624 3 216 256 1 475 971 49.04 1 533 799 50.96 206 486
Victoria 2 617 291 2 475 891 1 139 565 49.86 1 146 136 50.14 190 190
Queensland 1 549 749 1 447 284 578 674 41.69 809 249 58.31 59 361
South Australia 908 424 856 226 355 588 45.94 418 433 54.06 82 205
Western Australia 858 763 806 637 336 184 44.28 423 022 55.72 47 431
Tasmania 289 142 277 100 87 933 34.65 165 878 65.35 23 289
Australian Capital Territory 150 416 140 982 74 741 56.10 58 487 43.90 7 754
Northern Territory 68 857 58 668 25 684 47.78 28 066 52.22 4 918
Total for Commonwealth 9 866 266 9 279 044 4 074 340 47.06 4 583 070 52.94 621 634 Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 508 730 votes. Not carried
R E F E R E N D U M S ⢠R e f e r e n d u m r e s u l t s 5 4 5
P A R L I A M E N T A R Y H A N D B O O K O F T H E C O M M O N W E A L T H O F A U S T R A L I A T w e n t y - E i g h t h E d i t i o n 1 9 9 9
3 September 1988
Parliamentary Terms; Fair Elections; Local Government; Rights and Freedoms: Submissions to the electors of proposed laws for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled: (i) Constitution Alteration (Parliamentary Terms) 1988, (ii) Constitution Alteration (Fair Elections) 1988,
(iii) Constitution Alteration (Local Government) 1988, and (iv) Constitution Alteration (Rights and Freedoms) 1988. The first of these proposals to alter the Constitution sought to provide for four-year maximum terms for members of both Houses of the Commonwealth Parliament. The second proposal sought to ensure fair and democratic parliamentary elections throughout Australia. The third proposal sought to recognise local government. The fourth proposal sought to extend the right to trial by jury, to extend freedom of religion, and to ensure fair terms for persons whose property is acquired by any Government. All proposals were rejected.
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(i) New South Wales 3 564 856 3 297 246 1 032 621 31.66 2 228 503 68.34 36 122
Victoria 2 697 096 2 491 183 886 128 36.20 1 561 759 63.80 43 296
Queensland 1 693 247 1 542 293 538 779 35.15 993 822 64.85 9 692
South Australia 937 974 873 511 229 938 26.76 629 454 73.24 14 119
Western Australia 926 636 845 209 255 556 30.67 577 555 69.33 12 098
Tasmania 302 324 282 785 70 698 25.34 208 297 74.66 3 790
Australian Capital Territory 166 131 149 128 64 458 43.62 83 328 56.38 1 342
Northern Territory 74 695 56 370 21 092 38.13 34 222 61.87 1 056
Total for Commonwealth 10 362 959 9 537 725 3 099 270 32.91 6 316 940 67.09 121 515 Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 3 217 670 votes. Not carried
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(ii) New South Wales 3 564 856 3 297 246 1 159 713 35.57 2 100 604 64.43 36 929
Victoria 2 697 096 2 491 183 981 508 40.12 1 465 119 59.88 44 556
Queensland 1 693 247 1 542 293 686 765 44.81 845 767 55.19 9 761
South Australia 937 974 873 511 263 006 30.61 596 102 69.39 14 403
Western Australia 926 636 845 209 266 639 32.02 566 145 67.98 12 425
Tasmania 302 324 282 785 80 608 28.89 198 372 71.11 3 805
Australian Capital Territory 166 131 149 128 76 815 51.99 70 937 48.01 1 376
Northern Territory 74 695 56 370 23 763 42.99 31 512 57.01 1 095
Total for Commonwealth 10 362 959 9 537 725 3 538 817 37.59 5 874 558 62.41 124 350 Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 2 335 741 votes. Not carried
5 4 6 R E F E R E N D U M S ⢠R e f e r e n d u m r e s u l t s
P A R L I A M E N T A R Y H A N D B O O K O F T H E C O M M O N W E A L T H O F A U S T R A L I A T w e n t y - E i g h t h E d i t i o n 1 9 9 9
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(iii) New South Wales 3 564 856 3 297 246 1 033 364 31.70 2 226 529 68.30 37 353
Victoria 2 697 096 2 491 183 882 020 36.06 1 563 957 63.94 45 206
Queensland 1 693 247 1 542 293 586 942 38.31 945 333 61.69 10 018
South Australia 937 974 873 511 256 421 29.85 602 499 70.15 14 591
Western Australia 926 636 845 209 247 830 29.76 584 863 70.24 12 516
Tasmania 302 324 282 785 76 707 27.50 202 214 72.50 3 864
Australian Capital Territory 166 131 149 128 58 755 39.78 88 945 60.22 1 428
Northern Territory 74 695 56 370 21 449 38.80 33 826 61.20 1 095
Total for Commonwealth 10 362 959 9 537 725 3 163 488 33.61 6 248 166 66.39 126 071 Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 3 084 678 votes. Not carried
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
(iv) New South Wales 3 564 856 3 297 246 965 045 29.65 2 289 645 70.35 42 556
Victoria 2 697 096 2 491 183 816 057 33.42 1 625 484 66.58 49 642
Queensland 1 693 247 1 542 293 503 217 32.88 1 027 218 67.12 11 858
South Australia 937 974 873 511 223 038 26.01 634 438 73.99 16 035
Western Australia 926 636 845 209 233 917 28.14 597 322 71.86 13 970
Tasmania 302 324 282 785 70 987 25.49 207 486 74.51 4 312
Australian Capital Territory 166 131 149 128 60 064 40.71 87 460 59.29 1 604
Northern Territory 74 695 56 370 20 503 37.14 34 699 62.86 1 168
Total for Commonwealth 10 362 959 9 537 725 2 892 828 30.79 6 503 752 69.21 141 145 Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 3 610 924 votes. Not carried
R E F E R E N D U M S ⢠R e f e r e n d u m r e s u l t s 5 4 7
P A R L I A M E N T A R Y H A N D B O O K O F T H E C O M M O N W E A L T H O F A U S T R A L I A T w e n t y - E i g h t h E d i t i o n 1 9 9 9
Plebiscite results
Military Service These proposals were, on the first occasion, for ‘compulsory powers over citizens in regard to requiring their military service . . . outside the Commonwealth’, and, on the second occasion, to conscript men for overseas service in sufficient numbers to make the total reinforcements (including volunteers) up to 7000 a month. Both were rejected. 28 October 1916 Submission to the electors of the question prescribed by section 5 of the
Military Service Referendum Act 1916
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
New South Wales 1 055 986 858 399 356 805 42.92 474 544 57.08 27 050
Victoria 824 972 696 684 353 930 51.88 328 216 48.12 14 538
Queensland 366 042 309 921 144 200 47.71 158 051 52.29 7 670
South Australia 262 781 211 252 87 924 42.44 119 236 57.56 4 092
Western Australia 167 602 140 648 94 069 69.71 40 884 30.29 5 695
Tasmania 107 875 88 231 48 493 56.17 37 833 43.83 1 905
Federal Territories 4 572 3 468 2 136 62.73 1 269 37.27 63
Total for Commonwealth 2 789 830 2 308 603* 1 087 557 48.39 1 160 033 51.61 61 013 *Including 133 813 votes by members of the Australian Imperial Forces, of which 72 399 were for, 58 894 against, and 2520 informal.
Obtained majority in three States and an overall minority of 72 476 votes.
Not carried
20 December 1917 Submission to the electors of the question prescribed by regulation 6 of the War Precautions (Military Service Referendum) Regulations 1917
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers
were issued For
Per cent For Against
Per cent Against Informal
New South Wales 1 055 883 853 894 341 256 41.16 487 774 58.84 24 864
Victoria 807 331 678 806 329 772 49.79 332 490 50.21 16 544
Queensland 378 378 310 164 132 771 44.02 168 875 55.98 8 518
South Australia 261 661 197 970 86 663 44.90 106 364 55.10 4 943
Western Australia 162 347 135 593 84 116 64.39 46 522 35.61 4 955
Tasmania 106 803 78 792 38 881 50.24 38 502 49.76 1 409
Federal Territories 4 037 3 002 1 700 58.22 1 220 41.78 82
Total for Commonwealth 2 776 440 2 258 221* 1 015 159 46.21 1 181 747 53.79 61 315 * Including 199 677 votes by members of the Australian Imperial Forces, of which 103 789 were for, 93 910 against, and 1978 informal.
Obtained majority in two States and an overall minority of 166 588 votes.
Not carried
5 4 8 R E F E R E N D U M S ⢠P l e b i s c i t e r e s u l t s
P A R L I A M E N T A R Y H A N D B O O K O F T H E C O M M O N W E A L T H O F A U S T R A L I A T w e n t y - E i g h t h E d i t i o n 1 9 9 9
National Song Poll
The National Song Poll was held in 1977 by the Fraser Government to determine which song was preferred as Australia’s national anthem. Until 1974 God save the Queen/King was used as Australia’s national anthem. The Whitlam Government, following the result of a public opinion poll conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, changed the anthem to Advance Australia Fair, except on specifically royal occasions. In January 1976, the Fraser Government reinstated the use of God save the Queen for royal, vice-regal, defence, and loyal toast occasions. Advance Australia Fair was played on all other official occasions. On 19 April 1984, the Governor-General Sir Ninian Stephen issued a proclamation declaring that God save the Queen was to be the royal anthem, to be used in the presence of the Queen or members of the Royal Family. Advance Australia Fair was declared to be the national anthem, and non-sexist words were adopted.
21 May 1977 National Song Poll 1977
God save the Queen Advance Australia Fair
State
Number on rolls
Number to whom ballot papers were issued Number Per cent Number Per cent
NSW 3 007 511 2 537 805 348 885 15.32 1 169 421 51.35
VIC 2 252 831 1 951 160 352 603 20.68 683 451 40.09
QLD 1 241 426 1 056 804 204 453 21.38 438 929 45.90
SA 799 243 706 392 114 477 18.07 152 507 24.07
WA 682 291 235 525 113 054 23.17 183 159 37.54
TAS 259 081 253 525 47 346 22.38 88 825 41.98
ACT 120 875 22 136 1 448 6.65 7 857 36.11
NT 38 209 2 951 423 14.93 1 143 40.35
Total 8 401 467 7 069 046 1 182 689 18.78 2 725 292 43.29
Song of Australia Waltzing Matilda State Number Per cent Number Per cent Informal
NSW 121 456 5.33 637 795 28.00 260 248
VIC 110 591 6.49 557 991 32.73 246 524
QLD 61 234 6.40 251 609 26.31 100 579
SA 215 085 33.95 151 434 23.90 72 889
WA 75 524 15.48 116 142 23.81 68 394
TAS 21 091 9.97 54 329 25.68 23 934
ACT 1 863 8.56 10 593 48.68 375
NT 413 14.58 854 30.14 118
Total 607 257 9.65 1 780 747 28.28 773 061