Australian referendum, 1988 (Fair Elections)

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Constitution Alteration (Fair Elections) 1988 proposed to enshrine in the constitution a guarantee that all Commonwealth, State and Territory elections would be conducted democratically. The question was put to a referendum in the Australian referendum, 1988.

[edit] Results

A Proposed Law: To alter the Constitution to provide for fair and democratic parliamentary elections throughout Australia.

Do you approve this proposed alteration?

Result
State	On rolls	Ballots issued	For		Against		Informal
State	On rolls	Ballots issued		%		%	Informal
New South Wales	3,564,856	3,297,246	1,159,713	%35.57	2,100,604	%64.43	36,929
Victoria	2,697,096	2,491,183	981,508	%40.12	1,465,119	%59.88	44,556
Queensland	1,693,247	1,542,293	686,765	%44.81	845,767	%55.19	9,761
South Australia	937,974	873,511	263,006	%30.61	596,102	%69.39	14,403
Western Australia	926,636	845,209	266,639	%32.02	566,145	%67.98	12,425
Tasmania	302,324	282,785	80,608	%28.89	198,372	%71.11	3,805
Australian Capital Territory	166,131	149,128	76,815	%51.99	70,937	%48.01	1,376
Northern Territory	74,695	56,370	23,763	%42.99	31,512	%57.01	1,095
Total for Commonwealth	10,362,959	9,537,725	3,538,817	%37.59	5,874,558	%62.41	124,350
Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 2 335 741 votes.
Not carried

[edit] Discussion

This referendum question came about due to the widespread gerrymandering which was endemic during Joh Bjelke-Peterson's term as the Queensland Premier.