

-
Handbook Of The 42nd Parliament
- Preface
- Part 1 - National Symbols
- Part 2 - The Forty-second Parliament
- Part 3 - Elections
- Part 4 - The Constitution
- Part 5 - Referendums and Plebiscites
-
Part 6 - Historical information on the Australian Parliament
- Governors-General
- Chronology of Parliaments
- Party representation in Parliament
- Members since 1901
- Members who have served in both chambers
- Longest serving members
- Women in Parliament
- Number of women in Parliament
- Prime Ministers
- Leaders of the Opposition
- Ministries and Cabinets
- Shadow ministries
- Presidents, Deputy Presidents, Speakers and Deputy Speakers
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 |
|||||||
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 |
|||||||
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 |
|||||||
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 |