House of Representatives Practice, 6th edition – HTML version

Appendix 14 - Referendums to alter the Constitution

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Subject (bold type indicates referendum carried)	Date of referendum	States in which majority of electors voted in favour	Percentage of formal votes in favour
Senate Elections	12.12.06	All	82.65
Finance	13.4.10	Qld, WA, Tas.	49.04
State Debts	13.4.10	All except NSW	54.95
Legislative Powers	26.4.11	WA	39.42
Monopolies	26.4.11	WA	39.89
Trade and Commerce	31.5.13	Qld, SA, WA	49.38
Corporations	31.5.13	Qld, SA, WA	49.33
Industrial Matters	31.5.13	Qld, SA, WA	49.33
Railway Disputes	31.5.13	Qld, SA, WA	49.13
Trusts	31.5.13	Qld, SA, WA	49.78
Nationalization of Monopolies	31.5.13	Qld, SA, WA	49.33
Legislative Powers	13.12.19	Vic., Qld, WA	49.65
Nationalization of Monopolies	13.12.19	Vic., Qld, WA	48.64
Industry and Commerce	4.9.26	NSW, Qld	43.50
Essential Services	4.9.26	NSW, Qld	42.80
State Debts	17.11.28	All	74.30
Aviation	6.3.37	Vic., Qld	53.56
Marketing	6.3.37	None	36.26
Post-war Reconstruction and Democratic Rights	19.8.44	SA, WA	45.99
Social Services	28.9.46	All	54.39
Organized Marketing of Primary Products	28.9.46	NSW, Vic., WA	50.57
Industrial Employment	28.9.46	NSW, Vic., WA	50.30
Rents and Prices	29.5.48	None	40.66
Powers to Deal with Communists and Communism	22.9.51	Qld, WA, Tas.	49.44
Parliament	27.5.67	NSW	40.25
Aboriginals	27.5.67	All	90.77
Prices	8.12.73	None	43.81
Incomes	8.12.73	None	34.42
Simultaneous Elections	18.5.74	NSW	48.30
Mode of Altering the Constitution	18.5.74	NSW	47.99
Democratic Elections	18.5.74	NSW	47.20
Local Government Bodies	18.5.74	NSW	46.85
Simultaneous Elections	21.5.77	NSW, Vic., SA	62.22
Senate Casual Vacancies	21.5.77	All	73.32
Referendums	21.5.77	All	77.72
Retirement of Judges	21.5.77	All	80.10
Terms of Senators	1.12.84	NSW, Vic.	50.64
Interchange of Powers	1.12.84	None	47.06
Fair Elections	3.9.88	ACT	37.60
Local Government	3.9.88	None	33.62
Parliamentary Terms		3.9.88	None
Rights and Freedoms	3.9.88	None	30.79
Republic	6.11.99	ACT	45.13
Preamble to Constitution	6.11.99	None	39.34

NB Referendums have been held for purposes other than alterations to the Constitution—i.e. referendums held in 1916 and 1917 relating to compulsory military service (both rejected).

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