Note: Where available, the PDF/Word icon below is provided to view the complete and fully formatted document
Previous Fragment    Next Fragment
Part 5 - Referendums and Plebiscites - Referendum results

Download PDF Download PDF


Referendum results

12 December 1906

(1) Senate Elections

Question

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Senate Elections) 1906'?

Constitution Alteration (Senate Elections) 1906 sought to amend section 13, including altering Senators' terms so as to commence on 1 July (previously 1 January) and end on 30 June (previously 31 December).

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

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

(2) Finance; (3) State Debts

Question 1

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Finance) 1909'?

Constitution Alteration (Finance) 1909 sought to amend section 87 (the ' Braddon Clause' ) which was due to lapse in 1910, in order to give constitutional effect to a financial agreement reached between the States and the Commonwealth to replace the section.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

Question 2

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (State Debts) 1909'?

The Constitution gave the Commonwealth Parliament power to take over debts of the States in existence at the establishment of the Commonwealth. Constitution Alteration (State Debts) 1909 sought to give the Commonwealth unrestricted power to take over State debts by deleting words from section 105.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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



26 April 1911

(4) Trade and Commerce; (5) Nationalisation of Monopolies

Question 1

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Legislative Powers) 1910'?

Constitution Alteration (Legislative Powers) 1910 sought to extend the Commonwealth Parliament's powers over trade and commerce, the control of corporations, labour and employment, and combinations and monopolies. All of the proposed changes were contained within one question.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

Question 2

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Monopolies) 1910'?

Constitution Alteration (Monopolies) 1910 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament

power to nationalise any industry declared by both Houses of Parliament to be the subject

of a monopoly.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

(6) Trade and Commerce; (7) Corporations; (8) Industrial Matters;

(9) Railway Disputes; (10) Trusts; (11) Nationalisation of Monopolies

Question 1

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Trade and Commerce) 1912'?

Constitution Alteration (Trade and Commerce) 1912 sought to extend the Commonwealth Parliament's power to make laws with respect to trade and commerce.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

Question 2

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Corporations) 1912'?

Constitution Alteration (Corporations) 1912 sought to extend the Commonwealth Parliament's power to make laws with respect to corporations.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

Question 3

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Industrial Matters) 1912'?

Constitution Alteration (Industrial Matters) 1912 sought to extend the Commonwealth Parliament's power to make laws with respect to industrial matters.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

Question 4

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Railway Disputes) 1912'?

Constitution Alteration (Railways Disputes) 1912 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament power over industrial relations in the State railway services.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

Question 5

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Trusts) 1912'?

Constitution Alteration (Trusts) 1912 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament power to make laws with respect to trusts.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

Question 6

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Nationalisation of Monopolies) 1912'?

Constitution Alteration (Nationalisation of Monopolies) 1912 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament power to make laws with respect to monopolies.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

13 December 1919

(12) Legislative Powers; (13) Nationalisation of Monopolies

Question 1

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Legislative Powers) 1919'?

Constitution Alteration (Legislative Powers) 1919 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament a temporary extension of its legislative powers in regard to trade and commerce, corporations, industrial matters and trusts.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

Question 2

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Nationalisation of Monopolies) 1919'?

Constitution Alteration (Nationalisation of Monopolies) 1919 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament power to make laws with respect to monopolies.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

(14) Industry and Commerce; (15) Essential Services

Question 1

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Industry and Commerce) 1926'?

Constitution Alteration (Industry and Commerce) 1926 sought to extend the Commonwealth Parliament's power to make laws in relation to corporations, and to give the Commonwealth Parliament power to make laws with respect to trusts and combinations in restraint of trade, trade unions and employer associations.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

Question 2

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Essential Services) 1926'?

Constitution Alteration (Essential Services) 1926 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament power to take measures necessary to protect the public against an actual or probable interruption of essential services.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

(16) State Debts

Question

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (State Debts) 1928'?

Constitution Alteration (State Debts) 1928 sought to insert section 105A which would in effect ratify the Financial Agreement which had already been accepted by all the Australian Governments. This terminated the system of per capita payments which had been in operation since 1910, and restricted the right of each State to borrow for its own development by subjecting that borrowing to control by a Loan Council.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

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

6 March 1937

(17) Aviation; (18) Marketing

Question 1

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Aviation) 1936'?

Constitution Alteration (Aviation) 1936 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament power with respect to air navigation and aircraft.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

Question 2

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Marketing) 1936'?

Constitution Alteration (Marketing) 1936 sought to remove the restraints imposed on the Commonwealth Parliament by section 92.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

19 August 1944

(19) Post-War Reconstruction and Democratic Rights

Question

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Post-War Reconstruction and Democratic Rights) 1944'?

Constitution Alteration (Post-War Reconstruction and Democratic Rights) 1944, the 'Fourteen Powers' or 'Fourteen Points' Referendum, sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament power, 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 (that is, corporations, trusts, combines and monopolies). There were also to be inserted constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech and religion and safeguards against the abuse of delegated legislative power. All of these proposed alterations were put to voters in the form of one question.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

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

28 September 1946

(20) Social Services; (21) Marketing; (22) Industrial Employment

Question 1

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Social Services) 1946'?

Constitution Alteration (Social Services) 1946 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament power over a wide range of social services by inserting a new subsection into section 51.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

(1) 22 824 were for, 13 211 against and 986 informal;

(2) 19 924 for, 15 997 against, 1100 informal; and

(3) 20 445 for, 15 239 against, 1337 informal.

Obtained majority in all six States and an overall majority of 370 786 votes.

Carried

Question 2

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Organised Marketing of Primary Products) 1946'?

Constitution Alteration (Organised Marketing of Primary Products) 1946 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament power to make laws with respect to the organised marketing of primary products, unrestricted by section 92.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

* Including 37 021 votes by members of the Forces of which in the case of

(1) 22 824 were for, 13 211 against and 986 informal;

(2) 19 924 for, 15 997 against, 1100 informal; and

(3) 20 445 for, 15 239 against, 1337 informal.

Obtained majority in three States and an overall majority of 48 093 votes.

Not Carried

Question 3

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Industrial Employment) 1946'?

Constitution Alteration (Industrial Employment) 1946 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament power to make laws with respect to the terms and conditions of industrial employment (but not so as to authorise any form of industrial conscription).

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

* Including 37 021 votes by members of the Forces of which in the case of

(1) 22 824 were for, 13 211 against and 986 informal;

(2) 19 924 for, 15 997 against, 1100 informal; and

(3) 20 445 for, 15 239 against, 1337 informal.

Obtained majority in three States and an overall majority of 24 415 votes.

Not Carried

29 May 1948

(23) Rents and Prices

Question

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Rents and Prices) 1947'?

Constitution Alteration (Rents and Prices) 1947 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament ongoing power to make laws with respect to rents and prices.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

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

1 270 007

559 331

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

4 475 971*

1 793 682

40.66

2 618 183

59.34

64 106

* Including 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

22 September 1951

(24) Communists and Communism

Question

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Powers to deal with Communists and Communism) 1951'?

Constitution Alteration (Powers to deal with Communists and Communism) 1951 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament power to make laws with respect to communists and communism where this was necessary for the security of the Commonwealth.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

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 9477 votes by members of the Forces, of which 6478 were for, 2912 against and 82 informal.

Obtained majority in three States and an overall minority of 52 082 votes.

Not Carried

27 May 1967

(25) Parliament; (26) Aboriginals

Question 1

Do you approve the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'An Act to alter the Constitution so that the number of Members of the House of Representatives may be increased without necessarily increasing the number of Senators'?

Section 24 of the Constitution requires that the number of Members of the House of Representatives must be approximately double the number of Senators. Constitution Alteration (Parliament) 1967 sought to alter the Constitution so as to remove this 'nexus'.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

Question 2

Do you approve the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'An Act to alter the Constitution so as to omit certain words relating to the people of the Aboriginal race in any state so that Aboriginals are to be counted in reckoning the population'?

Constitution Alteration (Aboriginals) 1967 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament power to make laws with respect to Aboriginal people wherever they lived in Australia. It also sought to make it possible to include Aboriginal people in national censuses. The amendment deleted part of section 51 (xxvi) and repealed section 127.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

(27) Prices; (28) Incomes

Question 1

Do you approve the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'An Act to alter the Constitution so as to enable the Australian Parliament to control prices'?

Constitution Alteration (Prices) 1973 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament power to make laws with respect to prices.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

Question 2

Do you approve the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'An Act to alter the Constitution so as to enable the Australian Parliament to make laws with respect to incomes'?

Constitution Alteration (Incomes) 1973 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament power to make laws with respect to incomes.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

(29) Simultaneous Elections; (30) Mode of Altering the Constitution;

(31) Democratic Elections; (32) Local Government Bodies

Question 1

Proposed law entitled 'An Act to alter the Constitution so as to ensure that Senate elections are held at the same time as House of Representatives elections'.

Do you approve the proposed law?

House and Senate elections need not be held simultaneously, though they usually are. Constitution Alteration (Simultaneous Elections) 1974 proposed to make simultaneous elections compulsory.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

New South Wales

2 835 558

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

7 760 714

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

Question 2

Proposed law entitled 'An Act to facilitate alterations to the Constitution and to allow electors in territories, as well as electors in the states, to vote at referendums on proposed laws to alter the Constitution'.

Do you approve the proposed law?

Constitution Alteration (Mode of Altering the Constitution) 1974 sought to make two alterations to section 128. The first was to provide electors in the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory with the right to vote in constitutional referendums. The second was 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.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

New South Wales

2 835 558

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

7 760 714

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

Question 3

Proposed law entitled 'An Act to alter the Constitution so as to ensure that the members of the House of Representatives and of the parliaments of the states are chosen directly and democratically by the people'.

Do you approve the proposed law?

Constitution Alteration (Democratic Elections) 1974 sought to make population instead of electors the basis of determining the average size of electorates in each State.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

New South Wales

2 835 558

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

7 760 714

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

Question 4

Proposed law entitled 'An Act to alter the Constitution to enable the Commonwealth to borrow money for, and to grant financial assistance to, local government bodies'.

Do you approve the proposed law?

Constitution Alteration (Local Government Bodies) 1974 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament powers to borrow money for, and to make financial assistance grants directly to, any local government body.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

New South Wales

2 835 558

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

7 760 714

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

21 May 1977

(33) Simultaneous Elections; (34) Senate Casual Vacancies;

(35) Referendums; (36) Retirement of Judges

Question 1

It is proposed to alter the Constitution to ensure that Senate elections are held at the same time as House of Representatives elections.

Do you approve the proposed law?

Constitution Alteration (Simultaneous Elections) 1977 proposed to introduce simultaneous elections for both Houses of Parliament.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

New South Wales

3 002 241

2 774 388

1 931 775

70.71

800 331

29.29

42 282

Victoria

2 252 439

2 083 136

1 325 708

65.00

713 929

35.00

43 499

Queensland

1 240 738

1 138 842

534 968

47.51

590 942

52.49

12 932

South Australia

799 063

745 990

480 827

65.99

247 762

34.01

17 401

Western Australia

682 441

617 463

292 344

48.47

310 765

51.53

14 354

Tasmania

259 620

246 063

82 785

34.26

158 818

65.74

4 460

Total for Commonwealth

8 236 542

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

Question 2

It is proposed to alter the Constitution 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 for the balance of his term.

Do you approve the proposed law?

Constitution Alteration (Senate Casual Vacancies) 1977 sought, by amending section 15, to ensure as far as practicable that a casual vacancy in the Senate would be filled by a person of the same political party as the Senator chosen by the people, and that the new Senator would hold the seat for the balance of the original term.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

New South Wales

3 002 241

2 774 388

2 230 218

81.62

502 171

18.38

41 999

Victoria

2 252 439

2 083 136

1 552 558

76.13

486 798

23.87

43 780

Queensland

1 240 738

1 138 842

662 732

58.86

463 165

41.14

12 945

South Australia

799 063

745 990

557 950

76.59

170 536

23.41

17 504

Western Australia

682 441

617 463

344 389

57.11

258 655

42.89

14 419

Tasmania

259 620

246 063

129 924

53.78

111 638

46.22

4 501

Total for Commonwealth

8 236 542

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

Question 3

It is proposed to alter the Constitution so as to allow electors in the Territories, as well as electors in the States, to vote at referendums on proposed laws to alter the Constitution.

Do you approve the proposed law?

Constitution Alteration (Referendums) 1977 sought to allow electors in Territories to vote in constitutional referendums, by amending section 128. Their votes would count in the national tally only.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

New South Wales

3 002 241

2 774 388

2 292 822

83.92

439 247

16.08

42 319

Victoria

2 252 439

2 083 136

1 647 187

80.78

391 855

19.22

44 094

Queensland

1 240 738

1 138 842

670 820

59.58

455 051

40.42

12 971

South Australia

799 063

745 990

606 743

83.29

121 770

16.71

17 477

Western Australia

682 441

617 463

437 751

72.62

165 049

27.38

14 663

Tasmania

259 620

246 063

150 346

62.25

91 184

37.75

4 533

Total for Commonwealth

8 236 542

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

Question 4

It is proposed to alter the Constitution so as to provide for retiring ages for judges of federal courts.

Do you approve the proposed law?

Constitution Alteration (Retirement of Judges) 1977 proposed, by inserting new paragraphs into section 72, to establish a retiring age of 70 for judges of federal courts.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

New South Wales

3 002 241

2 774 388

2 316 999

84.84

414 070

15.16

43 319

Victoria

2 252 439

2 083 136

1 659 273

81.43

378 505

18.57

45 358

Queensland

1 240 738

1 138 842

734 183

65.24

391 227

34.76

13 432

South Australia

799 063

745 990

622 760

85.57

104 987

14.43

18 243

Western Australia

682 441

617 463

472 228

78.37

130 307

21.63

14 928

Tasmania

259 620

246 063

174 951

72.46

66 478

27.54

4 634

Total for Commonwealth

8 236 542

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

1 December 1984

(37) Terms of Senators; (38) Interchange of Powers

Question 1

An Act to change the terms of senators so that they are no longer of fixed duration and to provide that Senate elections and House of Representatives elections are always held on the same day.

Do you approve this proposed alteration?

Constitution Alteration (Terms of Senators) 1984 proposed to introduce simultaneous elections for both Houses of Parliament.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

New South Wales

3 424 032

3 215 901

1 621 894

52.86

1 446 150

47.14

147 857

Victoria

2 614 383

2 475 484

1 244 451

53.20

1 094 760

46.80

136 273

Queensland

1 555 600

1 447 284

642 768

45.65

765 329

54.35

39 187

South Australia

906 278

856 226

398 127

49.98

398 463

50.02

59 636

Western Australia

859 623

806 614

358 502

46.47

412 996

53.53

35 116

Tasmania

290 028

277 100

102 762

39.29

158 777

60.71

15 561

Australian Capital Territory

150 416

141 009

76 901

56.68

58 764

43.32

5 344

Northern Territory

68 857

58 668

28 310

51.87

26 265

48.13

4 093

Total for Commonwealth

9 869 217

9 278 286

4 473 715

50.64

4 361 504

49.36

443 067

Obtained majority in two States and an overall majority of 112 211 votes.

Not carried

Question 2

An Act to enable the Commonwealth and the States voluntarily to refer powers to each other.

Do you approve this proposed alteration?

The Constitution places some hurdles in the way of easy cooperation between the Commonwealth and State governments. Constitution Alteration (Interchange of Powers) 1984 sought to introduce more flexibility into the constitutional provisions relating to Commonwealth - State relations.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

New South Wales

3 424 032

3 215 901

1 475 971

49.04

1 533 799

50.96

206 131

Victoria

2 614 383

2 475 484

1 139 565

49.86

1 146 136

50.14

189 783

Queensland

1 555 600

1 447 284

578 674

41.69

809 249

58.31

59 361

South Australia

906 278

856 226

355 588

45.94

418 433

54.06

82 205

Western Australia

859 623

806 614

336 184

44.28

423 022

55.72

47 408

Tasmania

290 028

277 100

87 933

34.65

165 878

65.35

23 289

Australian Capital Territory

150 416

141 009

74 741

56.10

58 487

43.90

7 781

Northern Territory

68 857

58 668

25 684

47.78

28 066

52.22

4 918

Total for Commonwealth

9 869 217

9 278 286

4 074 340

47.06

4 583 070

52.94

620 876

Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 508 730 votes.

Not carried

3 September 1988

(39) Parliamentary Terms; (40) Fair Elections; (41) Local Government;

(42) Rights and Freedoms

Question 1

A Proposed Law: To alter the Constitution to provide for 4 year maximum terms for members of both Houses of the Commonwealth Parliament.

Do you approve this proposed alteration?

Constitution Alteration (Parliamentary Terms) 1988 sought to increase House of Representatives terms from a maximum of three years to a maximum of four years, and to reduce Senate terms from a six-year fixed term to a four-year fixed term. It also sought to introduce simultaneous elections for the Houses.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

2 491 427

886 223

36.20

1 561 907

63.80

43 297

Queensland

1 693 247

1 552 293

542 414

35.15

1 000 124

64.84

9 755

South Australia

938 142

873 511

229 938

26.76

629 454

73.24

14 119

Western Australia

926 636

845 209

255 553

30.67

577 553

69.33

12 103

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

10 363 127

9 547 969

3 102 997

32.92

6 323 388

67.08

121 584

Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 3 217 670 votes.

Not carried

Question 2

A Proposed Law: To alter the Constitution to provide for fair and democratic parliamentary elections throughout Australia.

Do you approve this proposed alteration?

Constitution Alteration (Fair Elections) 1988 sought to ensure that democratic electoral arrangements would be guaranteed for Commonwealth, State and Territory elections.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

2 491 427

981 678

40.12

1 465 186

59.88

44 563

Queensland

1 693 247

1 552 293

691 492

44.83

850 979

55.17

9 822

South Australia

938 142

873 511

263 006

30.61

596 102

69.39

14 403

Western Australia

926 636

845 209

266 637

32.02

566 145

67.98

12 427

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

10 363 127

9 547 969

3 543 712

37.60

5 879 837

62.40

124 420

Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 2 335 741 votes.

Not carried

Question 3

A Proposed Law: To alter the Constitution to recognise local government.

Do you approve this proposed alteration?

The Constitution recognises government at the Commonwealth and State levels but makes no mention of local government. Constitution Alteration (Local Government) 1988 sought to give such constitutional recognition to local government.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

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

2 491 427

882 094

36.06

1 564 116

63.94

45 217

Queensland

1 693 247

1 552 293

590 868

38.31

951 332

61.69

10 093

South Australia

938 142

873 511

256 421

29.85

602 499

70.15

14 591

Western Australia

926 636

845 209

247 829

29.76

584 863

70.24

12 517

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

10 363 127

9 547 969

3 167 487

33.62

6 254 324

66.38

126 158

Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 3 084 678 votes.

Not carried

Question 4

A Proposed Law: To alter the Constitution 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.

Do you approve this proposed alteration?

Constitution Alteration (Rights and Freedoms) 1988 sought to guarantee various civil rights in relation to trials, freedom of religion and compulsory acquisition of property.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

New South Wales

3 564 856

3 297 246

965 045

29.65

2 289 645

70.35

42 556

Victoria

2 697 096

2 491 427

816 011

33.42

1 625 762

66.58

49 654

Queensland

1 693 247

1 552 293

506 710

32.90

1 033 645

67.10

11 938

South Australia

938 142

873 511

223 038

26.01

634 438

73.99

16 035

Western Australia

926 636

845 209

233 916

28.14

597 320

71.86

13 973

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

10 363 127

9 547 969

2 896 274

30.79

6 510 455

69.21

141 240

Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 3 610 924 votes.

Not carried

6 November 1999

(43) Establishment of Republic; (44) Preamble

Question 1

A Proposed Law: To alter the Constitution to establish the Commonwealth of Australia as a republic with the Queen and Governor-General being replaced by a President appointed by a two-thirds majority of the members of the Commonwealth Parliament.

Do you approve this proposed alteration?

Constitution Alteration (Establishment of Republic) 1999 sought to establish the Commonwealth of Australia as a republic with the Queen and Governor-General being replaced by a President appointed by a two-thirds majority of the members of the Commonwealth Parliament.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

New South Wales

4 146 653

3 948 714

1 817 380

46.43

2 096 562

53.57

34 772

Victoria

3 164 843

3 016 737

1 489 536

49.84

1 499 138

50.16

28 063

Queensland

2 228 377

2 108 694

784 060

37.44

1 309 992

62.56

14 642

South Australia

1 027 392

986 394

425 869

43.57

551 575

56.43

8 950

Western Australia

1 176 311

1 114 326

458 306

41.48

646 520

58.52

9 500

Tasmania

327 729

315 641

126 271

40.37

186 513

59.63

2 857

Australian Capital Territory

212 586

202 614

127 211

63.27

73 850

36.73

1 553

Northern Territory

108 149

91 880

44 391

48.77

46 637

51.23

852

Total for Commonwealth

12 392 040

11 785 000

5 273 024

45.13

6 410 787

54.87

101 189

Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 1 137 763 votes.

Not carried

Question 2

A Proposed Law: To alter the Constitution to insert a preamble.

Do you approve this proposed alteration?

Constitution Alteration (Preamble) 1999 sought to alter the Constitution to insert an

additional preamble.

Result

State

Enrolled

Votes

For

Against

Informal

%

%

New South Wales

4 146 653

3 948 482

1 647 378

42.14

2 261 960

57.86

39 144

Victoria

3 164 843

3 016 716

1 268 044

42.46

1 718 331

57.54

30 341

Queensland

2 228 377

2 108 659

686 644

32.81

1 405 841

67.19

16 174

South Australia

1 027 392

986 535

371 965

38.10

604 245

61.90

10 325

Western Australia

1 176 311

1 114 455

383 477

34.73

720 542

65.27

10 436

Tasmania

327 729

315 664

111 415

35.67

200 906

64.33

3 343

Australian Capital Territory

212 586

202 618

87 629

43.61

113 293

56.39

1 696

Northern Territory

108 149

91 906

35 011

38.52

55 880

61.48

1 015

Total for Commonwealth

12 392 040

11 785 035

4 591 563

39.34

7 080 998

60.66

112 474

Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 2 489 435 votes.

Not carried