Referendums in Australia
Encyclopedia
In Australia, referendums are binding polls usually used to alter the Constitution of the Commonwealth or a state or territory. Non-binding polls are usually referred to as plebiscites.
s are polls held to approve Parliament-proposed changes to the Australian Constitution
. Voting in a referendum is compulsory for those on the electoral roll, in the same way that it is compulsory to vote in an Australian general election
. As of 2010, 44 referendums have been held, of which only 8 have been carried .
The Constitution specifies (Section 128) that alterations to itself cannot be made without a referendum. A bill containing the amendment must first be passed by both houses of parliament
or, in certain limited circumstances, by only one house of parliament. If the bill has only been passed in one house, the Governor-General
must, under the 'deadlock provision' of section 128, then decide whether or not to submit the referendum to the people. By convention, this is done on the advice of the Prime Minister
. Since the Prime Minister normally controls the House of Representatives, the effect of this convention is to make it virtually impossible for a referendum to be put to the people if approved by the Senate, but not the House. In 1974, four proposals were put to the people by the Whitlam government without the support of the Senate. Two of the four proposals had been twice rejected by the Senate, a third had been rejected once and failed to pass a second time, the fourth had been twice amended by the Senate.
If the bill to alter the Constitution is approved by both houses or satisfies the deadlock provision, the bill is submitted to the electors for approval. If the bill is approved by an absolute majority of both houses, the constitution provides that it must be submitted to the electors within 2 to 6 months of passage. There is no similar time limitation if the bill is approved by one House of the Commonwealth Parliament only.
In order to pass a referendum, the bill must ordinarily achieve a double majority
: a majority of those voting throughout the country, as well as separate majorities in each of a majority of states
(4 of 6). In certain circumstances, where any state or states are affected by a referendum then a majority of voters in those states must also agree to the change. This is often referred to as the "triple majority" rule. Prior to the 1977 referendum
, residents within the Northern Territory
(NT) and the Australian Capital Territory
(ACT) did not vote at referendums. Since 1977, voters in the ACT and the NT must vote in referendums, however their votes are only counted towards the national total and not against the totals of any of the states.
Residents of Australia's external territories do not vote in referendums as they currently do not have separate representation in the House of Representatives
.
When a referendum question is carried, it is presented for the Royal Assent
, given in the monarch's name by the Governor-General.
Similar to a referendum is a plebiscite, which is conducted by the government to decide a matter relating to ordinary statute
law, an advisory question of policy, or as a prelude to the submission of a formal referendum question, rather than a binding and entrenched alteration (amendment) to the Constitution. Plebiscites can offer a variety of options, rather than a simple yes/no question. Three plebiscites have occurred as of 2010. Unlike in referendums, voting in a plebiscite has traditionally been optional.
In 1998 the Howard
government amended the Flags Act 1953
, requiring a referendum to change the Flag of Australia
. There is some debate over the constitutional validity of this legislation, since it involves Parliament
acting to bind its own legislative power.
"
Many attribute this to the difficulty of getting the double majority necessary for a referendum to be approved. There have been five instances, in 1937
, twice in 1946
, 1977
and 1984
, where a national Yes vote has been overridden by failing to win a majority of states. In three of these instances, the referendum would have been passed if the requirement was for a majority, plus at least three out of six states agreeing. The converse situation, where there is a majority of states but not a majority of the population, has not occurred.
Apart from 1937
, these cases have followed a consistent pattern: a yes vote in the two most populous states, New South Wales and Victoria, and a no vote in most or all of the other states. The rejection of these referendums was at least partly due to the less populous states voting contrary to the most populous ones. This can be attributed to people in the less populated states taking an opportunity to resist the wishes of the powerful 'centre,' or not wanting to lose autonomy or influence, or that they are simply more conservative and less willing to change than people in larger cities.
The primary cause of 'No' votes has been committed opposition. No referendum has been successful if the Commonwealth opposition has opposed it. Opposition by State political parties, or by powerful interest groups, has also contributed to referendum failure. In 1926, opposition by the States played an important role in the failure of the Aviation referendum. Similarly, many commentators pointed to the strong opposition of church groups as a reason for the failure of the 1988 Rights and Freedoms referendum.
A contributing factor to the predominance of the No vote comes from the unwillingness of the Australian voters to extend the powers of government. In no referendum were any additional powers over commerce and industry granted to the government. However, at least two successful referendums can be characterised as giving the Commonwealth more powers. In 1946, the Commonwealth was given power to make laws with respect to a range of health and welfare services. In 1967, the Commonwealth was given a power to make laws with respect to Indigenous Australians.
may also hold referendums. Most are detailed in the external links. Some of the most important ones were:
State and Territory Referendums
Federal referendums
In Australia, national referendumReferendum
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...
s are polls held to approve Parliament-proposed changes to the Australian Constitution
Constitution of Australia
The Constitution of Australia is the supreme law under which the Australian Commonwealth Government operates. It consists of several documents. The most important is the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia...
. Voting in a referendum is compulsory for those on the electoral roll, in the same way that it is compulsory to vote in an Australian general election
Australian electoral system
The Australian electoral system has evolved over nearly 150 years of continuous democratic government, and has a number of distinctive features including compulsory voting, preferential voting and the use of proportional voting to elect the upper house, the Australian Senate.- Compulsory voting...
. As of 2010, 44 referendums have been held, of which only 8 have been carried .
The Constitution specifies (Section 128) that alterations to itself cannot be made without a referendum. A bill containing the amendment must first be passed by both houses of parliament
Parliament of Australia
The Parliament of Australia, also known as the Commonwealth Parliament or Federal Parliament, is the legislative branch of the government of Australia. It is bicameral, largely modelled in the Westminster tradition, but with some influences from the United States Congress...
or, in certain limited circumstances, by only one house of parliament. If the bill has only been passed in one house, the Governor-General
Governor-General of Australia
The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is the representative in Australia at federal/national level of the Australian monarch . He or she exercises the supreme executive power of the Commonwealth...
must, under the 'deadlock provision' of section 128, then decide whether or not to submit the referendum to the people. By convention, this is done on the advice of the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
. Since the Prime Minister normally controls the House of Representatives, the effect of this convention is to make it virtually impossible for a referendum to be put to the people if approved by the Senate, but not the House. In 1974, four proposals were put to the people by the Whitlam government without the support of the Senate. Two of the four proposals had been twice rejected by the Senate, a third had been rejected once and failed to pass a second time, the fourth had been twice amended by the Senate.
If the bill to alter the Constitution is approved by both houses or satisfies the deadlock provision, the bill is submitted to the electors for approval. If the bill is approved by an absolute majority of both houses, the constitution provides that it must be submitted to the electors within 2 to 6 months of passage. There is no similar time limitation if the bill is approved by one House of the Commonwealth Parliament only.
In order to pass a referendum, the bill must ordinarily achieve a double majority
Double majority
A double majority is the name given to a vote which requires a majority of votes according to two separate criteria. The mechanism is usually used to require strong support for any measure considered to be of great importance...
: a majority of those voting throughout the country, as well as separate majorities in each of a majority of states
States and territories of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a union of six states and various territories. The Australian mainland is made up of five states and three territories, with the sixth state of Tasmania being made up of islands. In addition there are six island territories, known as external territories, and a...
(4 of 6). In certain circumstances, where any state or states are affected by a referendum then a majority of voters in those states must also agree to the change. This is often referred to as the "triple majority" rule. Prior to the 1977 referendum
Australian referendum, 1977 (Referendums)
Constitution Alteration 1977 proposed to allow residents in the territories to vote in referendums. Residents in territories were to be counted towards the national total, but would not be counted toward any state total...
, residents within the Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
(NT) and the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
(ACT) did not vote at referendums. Since 1977, voters in the ACT and the NT must vote in referendums, however their votes are only counted towards the national total and not against the totals of any of the states.
Residents of Australia's external territories do not vote in referendums as they currently do not have separate representation in the House of Representatives
Australian House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the Parliament of Australia; it is the lower house; the upper house is the Senate. Members of Parliament serve for terms of approximately three years....
.
When a referendum question is carried, it is presented for the Royal Assent
Royal Assent
The granting of royal assent refers to the method by which any constitutional monarch formally approves and promulgates an act of his or her nation's parliament, thus making it a law...
, given in the monarch's name by the Governor-General.
Similar to a referendum is a plebiscite, which is conducted by the government to decide a matter relating to ordinary statute
Statute
A statute is a formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs a state, city, or county. Typically, statutes command or prohibit something, or declare policy. The word is often used to distinguish law made by legislative bodies from case law, decided by courts, and regulations...
law, an advisory question of policy, or as a prelude to the submission of a formal referendum question, rather than a binding and entrenched alteration (amendment) to the Constitution. Plebiscites can offer a variety of options, rather than a simple yes/no question. Three plebiscites have occurred as of 2010. Unlike in referendums, voting in a plebiscite has traditionally been optional.
In 1998 the Howard
John Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
government amended the Flags Act 1953
Flags Act 1953
The Flags Act 1953 is an act of the Parliament of Australia which defines the official Flag of Australia. Queen Elizabeth II gave Royal Assent on 14 February 1954 after opening the Commonwealth Parliament during her 1954 Royal Tour...
, requiring a referendum to change the Flag of Australia
Flag of Australia
The flag of Australia is a defaced Blue Ensign: a blue field with the Union Flag in the canton , and a large white seven-pointed star known as the Commonwealth Star in the lower hoist quarter...
. There is some debate over the constitutional validity of this legislation, since it involves Parliament
Parliament of Australia
The Parliament of Australia, also known as the Commonwealth Parliament or Federal Parliament, is the legislative branch of the government of Australia. It is bicameral, largely modelled in the Westminster tradition, but with some influences from the United States Congress...
acting to bind its own legislative power.
The No vote
Australians have in most instances voted No to referendum questions: only 8 out of 44 referendums since 1906 have been carried. In Sir Robert Menzies' words, "to get an affirmative vote from the Australian people on a referendum proposal is one of the labours of HerculesHercules
Hercules is the Roman name for Greek demigod Heracles, son of Zeus , and the mortal Alcmene...
"
Many attribute this to the difficulty of getting the double majority necessary for a referendum to be approved. There have been five instances, in 1937
Australian referendum, 1937 (Aviation)
Constitution Alteration 1936 sought to give the government legislative power with respect to air navigation and aircraft. The question was put to a referendum in the Australian referendum, 1937.-Results:...
, twice in 1946
Australian referendum, 1946
The 1946 Australian Referendum was held on 28 September 1946. It contained three referendum questions.* Social Services * Marketing * Industrial Employment ...
, 1977
Australian referendum, 1977 (Simultaneous Elections)
Constitution Alteration 1977 proposed for the second time that the Constitution be altered to ensure that elections for both houses of parliament occurred simultaneously...
and 1984
Australian referendum, 1984 (Terms of Senators)
Constitution Alteration 1984 proposed for the third time that Senate of Australia and House of Representatives elections be constitutionally enforced to occur on the same day...
, where a national Yes vote has been overridden by failing to win a majority of states. In three of these instances, the referendum would have been passed if the requirement was for a majority, plus at least three out of six states agreeing. The converse situation, where there is a majority of states but not a majority of the population, has not occurred.
Apart from 1937
Australian referendum, 1937 (Aviation)
Constitution Alteration 1936 sought to give the government legislative power with respect to air navigation and aircraft. The question was put to a referendum in the Australian referendum, 1937.-Results:...
, these cases have followed a consistent pattern: a yes vote in the two most populous states, New South Wales and Victoria, and a no vote in most or all of the other states. The rejection of these referendums was at least partly due to the less populous states voting contrary to the most populous ones. This can be attributed to people in the less populated states taking an opportunity to resist the wishes of the powerful 'centre,' or not wanting to lose autonomy or influence, or that they are simply more conservative and less willing to change than people in larger cities.
The primary cause of 'No' votes has been committed opposition. No referendum has been successful if the Commonwealth opposition has opposed it. Opposition by State political parties, or by powerful interest groups, has also contributed to referendum failure. In 1926, opposition by the States played an important role in the failure of the Aviation referendum. Similarly, many commentators pointed to the strong opposition of church groups as a reason for the failure of the 1988 Rights and Freedoms referendum.
A contributing factor to the predominance of the No vote comes from the unwillingness of the Australian voters to extend the powers of government. In no referendum were any additional powers over commerce and industry granted to the government. However, at least two successful referendums can be characterised as giving the Commonwealth more powers. In 1946, the Commonwealth was given power to make laws with respect to a range of health and welfare services. In 1967, the Commonwealth was given a power to make laws with respect to Indigenous Australians.
Referendums and plebiscites by year
(Bold entries denote proposals that were carried)- 1906Australian referendum, 1906The Australian referendum of 12 December 1906 approved an amendment to the Australian constitution related to the terms of office of federal senators. Technically it was a vote on the Constitution Alteration Act, 1906, which after being approved in the referendum received the Royal Assent on 3...
Senate ElectionsAustralian referendum, 1906The Australian referendum of 12 December 1906 approved an amendment to the Australian constitution related to the terms of office of federal senators. Technically it was a vote on the Constitution Alteration Act, 1906, which after being approved in the referendum received the Royal Assent on 3... - 1910Australian referendum, 1910The 1910 Australian Referendum was held on 13 April 1910. It contained two referendum questions.* State Debts * Surplus Revenue ...
State DebtsAustralian referendum, 1910 (State Debts)The referendum of the 13 April 1910 approved an amendment to the Australian constitution. Technically it was a vote on the Constitution Alteration Act, 1909, which after being approved in the referendum received the Royal Assent on the 6 August.Upon the establishment of the Commonwealth of...
, Surplus RevenueAustralian referendum, 1910 (Surplus Revenue)Constitution Alteration 1909 was question put to referendum in the Australian referendum, 1910. The question sought to amend section 87 which was due to lapse in 1910... - 1911Australian referendum, 1911The 1911 Australian Referendum was held on 26 April 1911. It contained two referendum questions.* Trade and Commerce * Nationalisation of Monopolies ...
Trade and CommerceAustralian referendum, 1911 (Trade and Commerce)Constitution Alteration 1910 was a question put to referendum in the Australian referendum, 1911. The question attempted to extend the government's power over trade and commerce, the control of corporations, labour and employment and combinations and monopolies...
, MonopoliesAustralian referendum, 1911 (Monopolies)Constitution Alteration 1910 attempted to give the government the power to nationalise any corporation deemed by both houses of parliament to be a monopoly.The question was put to a referendum in the Australian referendum, 1911.-Results:... - 1913Australian referendum, 1913The 1913 Australian Referendum was held on 31 May 1913. It contained six referendum questions.* Trade and Commerce * Corporations * Industrial Matters * Trusts ...
Trade and CommerceAustralian referendum, 1913 (Trade and Commerce)The Constitution Alteration 1912 was a question was put to referendum in the Australian referendum, 1913. With this question, the Australian government sought to extend its power over trade and commerce.-Question:...
, CorporationsAustralian referendum, 1913 (Corporations)Constitution Alteration 1912 was a question put to referendum in the Australian referendum, 1913. It sought to extend the Commonwealth Parliament's power to make laws with respect to corporations.-Results:...
, Industrial MattersAustralian referendum, 1913 (Industrial Matters)The Australian referendum, 1913 , or more correctly, Constitution Alteration 1912, was a question put to referendum in the Australian referendum, 1913...
, TrustsAustralian referendum, 1913 (Trusts)Constitution Alteration 1912 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament power to make laws with respect to trusts.The question was put to a referendum in the Australian referendum, 1913.-Results:...
, MonopoliesAustralian referendum, 1913 (Monopolies)Constitution Alteration 1912 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament power to make laws with respect to monopolies.The question was put to a referendum in the Australian referendum, 1913.-Results:...
, Railway DisputesAustralian referendum, 1913 (Railway Disputes)Constitution Alteration 1912 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament power over industrial relations in the State railway services.The question was put to a referendum in the Australian referendum, 1913.-Results:... - 1916Australian plebiscite, 1916The 1916 Australian plebiscite was held on 28 October 1916. It was the first non-binding Australian plebiscite, and contained one question concerning Military Service....
Military Service (plebiscite)Australian plebiscite, 1916The 1916 Australian plebiscite was held on 28 October 1916. It was the first non-binding Australian plebiscite, and contained one question concerning Military Service.... - 1917Australian plebiscite, 1917The 1917 Australian plebiscite was held on 20 December 1917. It contained one question.* Are you in favour of the proposal of the Commonwealth Government for reinforcing the Australian Imperial Force overseas?-The Plebiscite:...
Military Service (plebiscite)Australian plebiscite, 1917The 1917 Australian plebiscite was held on 20 December 1917. It contained one question.* Are you in favour of the proposal of the Commonwealth Government for reinforcing the Australian Imperial Force overseas?-The Plebiscite:... - 1919Australian referendum, 1919The 1919 Australian Referendum was held on 13 December 1919. It contained two referendum questions.* Legislative Powers * Nationalisation of Monopolies ...
Legislative PowersAustralian referendum, 1919 (Legislative Powers)Constitution Alteration 1919 sought temporarily extend the government's legislative powers with respect to trade and commerce, corporations, industrial matters and trusts...
, MonopoliesAustralian referendum, 1919 (Monopolies)Constitution Alteration 1919 sought to extend the government's power to legislate monopolies. The question was put to a referendum in the Australian referendum, 1919.-Results:... - 1926Australian referendum, 1926The 1926 Australian Referendum was held on 4 September 1926. It contained two referendum questions.* Industry and Commerce * Essential Services ...
Industry and CommerceAustralian referendum, 1926 (Industry and Commerce)Constitution Alteration 1926 sought to extend the government's legislative powers with respect to corporations, and to give it the power to make laws with respect to trusts and combinations in restraint of trade, trade unions and employer associations...
, Essential ServicesAustralian referendum, 1926 (Essential Services)Constitution Alteration 1926 sought to give the government power to protect the public from any actual or probable interruption of essential services... - 1928Australian referendum, 1928The referendum of the 17 November 1928 approved an amendment to the Australian constitution concerning financial relations between the Commonwealth of Australia and its states...
State DebtsAustralian referendum, 1928The referendum of the 17 November 1928 approved an amendment to the Australian constitution concerning financial relations between the Commonwealth of Australia and its states... - 1937Australian referendum, 1937The 1937 Australian Referendum was held on 6 March 1937. It contained two referendum questions.* Aviation * Marketing ...
AviationAustralian referendum, 1937 (Aviation)Constitution Alteration 1936 sought to give the government legislative power with respect to air navigation and aircraft. The question was put to a referendum in the Australian referendum, 1937.-Results:...
, MarketingAustralian referendum, 1937 (Marketing)Constitution Alteration 1936 sought to remove the restraints imposed on Parliament by section 92 of the constitution. The question was put to a referendum in the Australian referendum, 1937.-Results:... - 1944Australian referendum, 1944The 1944 Australian Referendum was held on 19 August 1944. It contained one referendum question.* Post-War Reconstruction and Democratic Rights -Proposed Amendment:...
Post-War Reconstruction and Democratic RightsAustralian referendum, 1944The 1944 Australian Referendum was held on 19 August 1944. It contained one referendum question.* Post-War Reconstruction and Democratic Rights -Proposed Amendment:... - 1946Australian referendum, 1946The 1946 Australian Referendum was held on 28 September 1946. It contained three referendum questions.* Social Services * Marketing * Industrial Employment ...
Social ServicesAustralian referendum, 1946 (Social Services)Constitution Alteration 1946 proposed to extend the powers of government over a range of social services. The question was put to a referendum in the Australian referendum, 1946 with two other questions...
, MarketingAustralian referendum, 1946 (Marketing)Section 42 of the Australian Constitution limited the government's power to make laws with respect tothe organised marketing of primary products. Constitution Alteration 1946 sought to remove these restrictions....
, Industrial EmploymentAustralian referendum, 1946 (Industrial Employment)Constitution Alteration 1946 sought to give the government legislative powers over the terms and conditions of industrial employment but not so as to authorise any form of industrial conscription... - 1948Australian referendum, 1948The 1948 Australian Referendum was held on 29 May 1948. It contained one referendum question.* Rents and Prices -Proposed Amendment:...
Rents and PricesAustralian referendum, 1948The 1948 Australian Referendum was held on 29 May 1948. It contained one referendum question.* Rents and Prices -Proposed Amendment:... - 1951Australian referendum, 1951The 1951 Australian Referendum was held on 22 September 1951 and sought approval for the federal government to ban the Communist Party of Australia. It was not carried.-Background:...
Communists and CommunismAustralian referendum, 1951The 1951 Australian Referendum was held on 22 September 1951 and sought approval for the federal government to ban the Communist Party of Australia. It was not carried.-Background:... - 1967Australian referendum, 1967The 1967 Australian Referendum was held on 27 May 1967. It contained two referendum questions.* Parliament * Aboriginals ...
ParliamentAustralian referendum, 1967 (Parliament)Held within the Australian referendum, 1967 was a question about the Australian Parliament, so-called "Nexus". Section 24 of the Australian Constitution required that the number of members in the lower house be as near as possible to twice the numbers of members in the upper house .This ratio is...
, AboriginalsAustralian referendum, 1967 (Aboriginals)The referendum of 27 May 1967 approved two amendments to the Australian constitution relating to Indigenous Australians. Technically it was a vote on the Constitution Alteration 1967, which became law on 10 August 1967 following the results of the referendum... - 1973Australian referendum, 1973The 1973 Australian Referendum was held on 8 December 1973. It contained two referendum questions.* Prices * Incomes ...
PricesAustralian referendum, 1973 (Prices)Constitution Alteration 1973 sought to give the government legislative power over prices.The question was put to a referendum in the Australian referendum, 1973.-Results:...
, IncomesAustralian referendum, 1973 (Incomes)Constitution Alteration 1973 sought to give the government legislative power over incomes.The question was put to a referendum in the Australian referendum, 1973.-Results:... - 1974Australian referendum, 1974The 1974 Australian Referendum was held on 18 May 1974. It contained four referendum questions.* Simultaneous Elections * Mode of Altering the Constitution * Democratic Elections ...
Simultaneous ElectionsAustralian referendum, 1974 (Simultaneous Elections)Elections to the House of Representatives and the Senate of Australia are usually held simultaneously although this was a matter of convention rather than constitutional law. Constitution Alteration 1974 proposed to enshrine simultaneous elections in the Constitution...
, Mode of Altering the ConstitutionAustralian referendum, 1974 (Mode of Altering the Constitution)Since federation, voters in the Australian territories had been excluded from voting in referendums. The proposed law, Constitution Alteration 1974 attempted to rectify this situation by counting voters in the territories towards the national majority, but not towards any state total.The question...
, Democratic ElectionsAustralian referendum, 1974 (Democratic Elections)The Constitution Alteration 1974 was a question put to referendum in the Australian referendum, 1974, and sought to modify the method of determining the size of electorates within each state, from being based on the number of voters in the total population to allow members of Parliament to be...
, Local Government BodiesAustralian referendum, 1974 (Local Government Bodies)Constitution Alteration 1974 was a question put to referendum in the Australian referendum, 1974. The question attempted to amend the Australian constitution to allow the federal government to grant financial assistance to any local government body, and to make loans on their... - 1977Australian referendum, 1977The 1977 Australian Referendum was held on 21 May 1977. It contained four referendum questions and one non-binding plebiscite.Referendums:* Simultaneous Elections * Senate Casual Vacancies ...
Simultaneous ElectionsAustralian referendum, 1977 (Simultaneous Elections)Constitution Alteration 1977 proposed for the second time that the Constitution be altered to ensure that elections for both houses of parliament occurred simultaneously...
, Senate Casual VacanciesAustralian referendum, 1977 (Senate Casual Vacancies)The referendum of 21 May 1977 approved an amendment to the Australian constitution concerning the filling of casual vacancies in the Senate. Technically it was a vote on the Constitution Alteration 1977 which, after being approved in the referendum, became law on 29 July of the same year.Prior to...
, ReferendumsAustralian referendum, 1977 (Referendums)Constitution Alteration 1977 proposed to allow residents in the territories to vote in referendums. Residents in territories were to be counted towards the national total, but would not be counted toward any state total...
, Retirement of JudgesAustralian referendum, 1977 (Retirement of Judges)The legislation Constitution Alteration 1977 proposed to create a retirementage of 70 for judges in federal courts.The question was put to a referendum in the Australian referendum, 1977.-Results:...
, National Song (plebiscite)Australian plebiscite, 1977 (National Song)As an additional question in the 1977 referendum, the voters were polled on which song they would prefer to be used to mark occasions where a particularly Australian national identity was desired. Voting on this question was not compulsory... - 1984Australian referendum, 1984The 1984 Australian Referendum was held on 21 May 1984. It contained two referendum questions, neither of which passed.* Terms of Senators * Interchange of Powers ...
Terms of SenatorsAustralian referendum, 1984 (Terms of Senators)Constitution Alteration 1984 proposed for the third time that Senate of Australia and House of Representatives elections be constitutionally enforced to occur on the same day...
, Interchange of PowersAustralian referendum, 1984 (Interchange of Powers)The Australian Constitution places some restraints on the ability of the State and Federal governments to freely cooperate. TheConstitution Alteration 1984 proposal would have removed these barriers, such that the states and the federal government could freely interchange powers at will.The... - 1988Australian referendum, 1988The 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....
Parliamentary TermsAustralian referendum, 1988 (Parliamentary Terms)Constitution Alteration 1988 was a proposal put to referendum in the Australian referendum, 1988. It proposed to alter the Australian constitution such that Senate terms be reduced from six to four years, and House of Representative terms be increased from three years to four years...
, Fair ElectionsAustralian referendum, 1988 (Fair Elections)Constitution Alteration 1988 proposed to enshrine in the constitution a guarantee that allCommonwealth, State and Territory elections would be conducted democratically.The question was put to a referendum in the Australian referendum, 1988....
, Local GovernmentAustralian referendum, 1988 (Local Government)The Australian Constitution recognises Government at Federal and State levels, but makes no mention of local government. Constitution Alteration 1988 proposed to alter the constitution so as to recognise local government...
, Rights and FreedomsAustralian referendum, 1988 (Rights and Freedoms)The Constitution Alteration 1988 was proposed legislation that was put to referendum in the Australian referendum, 1988... - 1999Australian republic referendum, 1999The Australian republic referendum held on 6 November 1999 was a two-question referendum to amend the Constitution of Australia. The first question asked whether Australia should become a republic with a President appointed by Parliament following a bi-partisan appointment model which had...
Establishment of RepublicAustralian republic referendum, 1999The Australian republic referendum held on 6 November 1999 was a two-question referendum to amend the Constitution of Australia. The first question asked whether Australia should become a republic with a President appointed by Parliament following a bi-partisan appointment model which had...
, Preamble
State and territory referendums
States and Territories of AustraliaStates and territories of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a union of six states and various territories. The Australian mainland is made up of five states and three territories, with the sixth state of Tasmania being made up of islands. In addition there are six island territories, known as external territories, and a...
may also hold referendums. Most are detailed in the external links. Some of the most important ones were:
- In the years leading up to the Federation of AustraliaFederation of AustraliaThe Federation of Australia was the process by which the six separate British self-governing colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia formed one nation...
in 1901, all six colonies (as the States then were) passed referendums in favour of Federation.
- In 1933, voters in Western Australia voted for their state to leave the Commonwealth of Australia with the aim of returning to the British Empire as an autonomous territory. The Western Australian Government sent a delegation to WestminsterParliament of the United KingdomThe Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
, however the United Kingdom House of Commons refused to intervene, declaring it had no power to grant secession, and therefore no action was taken to implement this decision.
- In 1967, voters in north-east New South Wales were asked if they favoured creating a new state in their region. The no vote won, with 54.1% of the formal vote.
- In 1968, Tasmanian voters took part in a referendumTasmanian casino referendum, 1968The Tasmanian casino referendum was a one-question referendum held on 14 December 1968, which concerned the granting of Australia's first casino licence to the Federal Group to operate the Wrest Point Hotel Casino in Sandy Bay.-Background:...
to approve the granting of Australia's first casino licence to the Federal Group to operate the Wrest Point Hotel CasinoWrest Point Hotel CasinoThe Wrest Point Hotel Casino was Australia's first legal casino, opening in the suburb of Sandy Bay in Hobart, Tasmania, on 10 February 1973.-History:...
in Hobart. The referendum passed with 53% of the formal vote.
- In 1975, voters in Western Australia voted against permanent daylight saving/summer time.
- In 1978, the Australia Capital Territory voted at a referendum on whether the ACT should be granted self-government. Voters were given the choice of becoming a self-governing territory, a local governmentLocal government in AustraliaLocal government in Australia is the third tier of government, administered by the states and territories which in turn are beneath the Commonwealth or federal tier. Unlike New Zealand, the US or the UK, there is only one level of local government in all states, with no distinction such as...
or continuing with the Legislative Assembly being an advisory body to the Department of the Capital Territory. 63.75% voted to continue with the then current arrangement. Despite the outcome of the referendum, the Parliament of AustraliaParliament of AustraliaThe Parliament of Australia, also known as the Commonwealth Parliament or Federal Parliament, is the legislative branch of the government of Australia. It is bicameral, largely modelled in the Westminster tradition, but with some influences from the United States Congress...
passed the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) ActAustralian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988The Australian Capital Territory Act 1988 is an Act of the Parliament of Australia enacted on 6 December 1988, that establishes ‘a body politic under the Crown by the name of the Australian Capital Territory’ and is the Territory’s constitutional foundation.From 1930 the ACT was administered by...
in 1988 and the ACT became a self-governing territory in 1989.
- In 1981, the Tasmanian government held a controversial referendumTasmanian power referendum, 1981The Tasmanian power referendum was a one-question referendum held on 12 December 1981, and intended to determine the location of a proposed hydroelectricity dam to be built on the Gordon River in Tasmania, Australia.- Background :...
to decide the location of a hydro-electric dam on the Franklin RiverFranklin DamThe Franklin Dam or Gordon-below-Franklin Dam project was a proposed dam on the Gordon River in Tasmania, Australia, that was never constructed. The movement that eventually led to the project's cancellation became one of most significant environmental campaigns in Australian history.The dam was...
. With the electorate simply given a choice of two different dams, approximately 33% of the electorate voted informal by writing "No Dams" on their ballot paper.
- In 1984, voters in Western Australia voted against permanent daylight saving/summer time for a second time.
- In 1992, after trialling Daylight SavingDaylight saving timeDaylight saving time —also summer time in several countries including in British English and European official terminology —is the practice of temporarily advancing clocks during the summertime so that afternoons have more daylight and mornings have less...
in Queensland for a total of three years, a referendum was held, with 54.5% of Queenslanders voting against daylight saving. Regional and rural areas strongly opposed daylight saving, while those in the metropolitan south-east voted in favour of it.
- In 1992, voters in Western Australia voted against permanent daylight saving/summer time for a third time.
- In 1995, voters in New South Wales voted for a fixed four year term for the state parliament.
- In 2009, after a three-year trial, voters in Western Australia voted against permanent daylight saving/summer time for a fourth time in four decades.
External links
Federal Referendums- Australian Parliamentary Handbook on Referendums and Plebiscites results of all referendums presented.
- History of Australian Referendums, Part 2 (pdf file) An Australian Parliament report, summarising the background, "yes" and "no" cases, and results, for each referendum up to 1988.
State and Territory Referendums