1898–1900 Australian constitutional referendums
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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.[1] The first four referendums were held in New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria in June 1898.[1] Although all four saw a majority vote in favour, the majority in New South Wales was insufficient.[1] 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,[1] which was also approved. The constitution came into force on 1 January 1901.[2]
Background
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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.[3] 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.[4] The No campaign however focused on the potential for increased costs for South Australians, as well as decreased land values.[5]
Results
1898 referendums
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/Australian_constitutional_referendums%2C_1898.svg/220px-Australian_constitutional_referendums%2C_1898.svg.png)
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
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c2/Australian_constitutional_referendums%2C_1899-1900.svg/220px-Australian_constitutional_referendums%2C_1899-1900.svg.png)
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 |
References
- ^ a b c d Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 (UK) Museum of Australian Democracy
- ^ Australia, 31 July 1900: Constitution Direct Democracy Template:De icon
- ^ David Brooks, Dr Zoe Gill & Dr John Weste (eds). "South Australian Referenda, 1896-1991" (PDF). Retrieved 6 December 2011.
{{cite web}}
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has generic name (help) - ^ "Commonwealth League Advertisement". Retrieved 6 December 2011.
- ^ "Anti-Commonwealth Bill League Advertisement". Retrieved 6 December 2011.