1898–1900 Australian constitutional referendums

A series of referendums on the proposed constitution of Australia were held between 2 June 1898 and 31 July 1900 in the six colonies that were to become the states of the Commonwealth of Australia. The first four referendums were held in New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria in June 1898. Although all four saw a majority vote in favour, the majority in New South Wales was insufficient. Knowledge of the result in New South Wales led to low voter turnout in South Australia.

Following a series of amendments made to the proposed constitution at the Secret Premiers meeting on 31 January and 1 February 1899, a second referendum was required in the four states, whilst on 2 September, Queensland held a referendum on the constitution for the first time. All five states saw a majority vote in favour.

Three weeks after the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act became law in 1900, Western Australia held a referendum on the constitution, which was also approved. The constitution came into force on 1 January 1901.

Background

South Australia

Residents of South Australian were staunchly opposed to federation in the mid-19th century due to the dominance of the colonies of Victoria and New South Wales in issues such as trade and tariffs, as well as a desire to keep unique elements of South Australia intact. The mood had shifted by the 1890s, with what was seen as the looming inevitability of federation a motivator to negotiating a good deal for the smaller states, with the argument by the Yes campaign that they may never have such favourable terms again. The No campaign however focused on the potential for increased costs for South Australians, as well as decreased land values.

Results

1898 referendums

State	Date	For		Against		Total	Turnout
		Votes	%	Votes	%
New South Wales	4 June 1898	71,595	51.95	66,228	48.05	137,823	43.5
South Australia	4 June 1898	35,800	67.39	17,320	20.54	53,120	30.9
Tasmania	3 June 1898	11,797	81.29	2,716	18.71	14,513	25.0
Victoria	4 June 1898	100,520	81.98	22,099	18.02	122,619	50.3
Source: Direct Democracy

1899 and 1900 referendums

State	Date	For		Against		Total	Turnout
		Votes	%	Votes	%
South Australia	29 April 1899	65,990	79.46	17,053	20.54	83,043	54.4
New South Wales	28 June 1899	107,420	56.49	82,741	43.51	190,161	63.4
Tasmania	27 July 1899	13,437	94.40	797	5.60	14,234	41.8
Victoria	27 July 1899	152,653	93.96	9,805	6.04	162,458	56.3
Queensland	28 September 1899	38,488	55.39	30,996	44.61	69,484	54.4
Western Australia	31 July 1900	44,616	69.42	19,651	30.58	64,267	67.1
Source: Direct Democracy