Australian plebiscite, 1916

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The 1916 Australian plebiscite was held on 28 October 1916. It was the first Australian plebiscite, and contained one question concerning Military Service.

This plebiscite was held due to the Government's desire to increase the available forces for overseas service during the ongoing World War I. It was conducted under the Military Service Referendum Act 1916.

[edit] Results

Are you in favour of the Government having, in this grave emergency, the same compulsory powers over citizens in regard to requiring their military service, for the term of this war, outside the Commonwealth, as it now has in regard to military service within the Commonwealth?


Result
State On

rolls

Ballots

issued

For Against Informal
% %
New South Wales 1,055,986 858,399 356,805 %42.92 474,544 %57.08 27,050
Victoria 824,972 696,684 353,930 %51.88 328,216 %48.12 14,538
Queensland 366,042 309,921 144,200 %47.71 158,051 %52.29 7,670
South Australia 262,781 211,252 87,924 %42.44 119,236 %57.56 4,092
Western Australia 167,602 140,648 94,069 %69.71 40,884 %30.29 5,695
Tasmania 107,875 88,231 48,493 %56.17 37,833 %43.83 1,905
Federal Territories 4,572 3,468 2,136 %62.73 1,269 %37.27 63
Total for Commonwealth 2,789,830 2,308,603* 1,087,557 %48.39 1,160,033 %51.61 61,013
Obtained majority in three States and an overall

minority of 72 476 votes.

Not carried

*Including 133,813 votes by members of the Australian Imperial Force, of which 72,399 were for, 58,894 against, and 2,520 informal.

[edit] See also

Australian Conscription


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