Australian referendum, 1988 (Rights and Freedoms)
Encyclopedia
The Constitution Alteration (Rights and Freedoms) 1988 was proposed legislation
that was put to referendum
in the Australian referendum, 1988
. The legislation sought to enshrine in the Australian constitution various civil rights
, including freedom of religion
, rights in relation to trials, and rights regarding the compulsory acquisition of property
.
Do you approve this proposed alteration?
Legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
that was put to referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
in the Australian referendum, 1988
Australian referendum, 1988
The 1988 Australian Referendum was held on 3 September 1988. It contained four referendum questions, none of which passed. The failure was generally attributed to the open ended and nondescriptive wording of the proposed amendments....
. The legislation sought to enshrine in the Australian constitution various civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
, including freedom of religion
Freedom of religion
Freedom of religion is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance; the concept is generally recognized also to include the freedom to change religion or not to follow any...
, rights in relation to trials, and rights regarding the compulsory acquisition of property
Eminent domain
Eminent domain , compulsory purchase , resumption/compulsory acquisition , or expropriation is an action of the state to seize a citizen's private property, expropriate property, or seize a citizen's rights in property with due monetary compensation, but without the owner's consent...
.
Results
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?
| State | On rolls | Ballots issued | For | Against | Informal | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % | ||||
| New South Wales | 3,564,856 | 3,297,246 | 965,045 | %29.65 | 2,289,645 | %70.35 | 42,556 |
| Victoria | 2,697,096 | 2,491,183 | 816,057 | %33.42 | 1,625,484 | %66.58 | 49,642 |
| Queensland | 1,693,247 | 1,542,293 | 503,217 | %32.88 | 1,027,218 | %67.12 | 11,858 |
| South Australia | 937,974 | 873,511 | 223,038 | %26.01 | 634,438 | %73.99 | 16,035 |
| Western Australia | 926,636 | 845,209 | 233,917 | %28.14 | 597,322 | %71.86 | 13,970 |
| Tasmania | 302,324 | 282,785 | 70,987 | %25.49 | 207,486 | %74.51 | 4,312 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 166,131 | 149,128 | 60,064 | %40.71 | 87,460 | %59.29 | 1,604 |
| Northern Territory | 74,695 | 56,370 | 20,503 | %37.14 | 34,699 | %62.86 | 1,168 |
| Total for Commonwealth | 10,362,959 | 9,537,725 | 2,892,828 | %30.79 | 6,503,752 | %69.21 | 141,145 |
| Results | Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 3,610,924 votes. | ||||||