Constitution Alteration (Monopolies) 1910 attempted to give the government the power to nationalise any corporation

Corporation

A corporation is created under the laws of a state as a separate legal entity that has privileges and liabilities that are distinct from those of its members. There are many different forms of corporations, most of which are used to conduct business. Early corporations were established by charter...

 deemed by both houses of parliament to be a monopoly

Monopoly

A monopoly exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity...

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The question was put to a referendum in the Australian referendum, 1911

Australian referendum, 1911

The 1911 Australian Referendum was held on 26 April 1911. It contained two referendum questions.* Trade and Commerce * Nationalisation of Monopolies ...

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Results

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

Result

State	On rolls	Ballots issued	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

Discussion

This was the first of many times that similar questions were asked at a referendum. On every occasion the public decided not to vest power in the government over monopolies

Monopoly

A monopoly exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity...

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See also