Australian referendum, 1911 (Trade and Commerce)

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Constitution Alteration (Legislative Powers) 1910 attempted to extend the government's power over trade and commerce, the control of corporations, labour and employment and combinations and monopolies. All of the proposed changes were contained within one question. The question was put to a referendum in the Australian referendum, 1911.

[edit] Results

Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Legislative Powers) 1910'?

Result
State	On rolls	Ballots issued	For		Against		Informal
State	On rolls	Ballots issued		%		%	Informal
New South Wales	868,194	384,188	135,968	%36.11	240,605	%63.89	7,396
Victoria	723,377	448,566	170,288	%38.64	270,390	%61.36	7,554
Queensland	293,003	162,135	69,552	%43.75	89,420	%56.25	3,002
South Australia	216,027	133,802	50,358	%38.07	81,904	%61.93	1,374
Western Australia	138,697	61,482	33,043	%54.86	27,185	%45.14	870
Tasmania	102,326	58,053	24,147	%42.11	33,200	%57.89	673
Total for Commonwealth	2,341,624	1,248,226	483,356	%39.42	742,704	%60.58	20,869
Obtained majority in one State and an overall minority of 259,348 votes.
Not carried

[edit] Discussion

This was the first of many times that similar questions were asked at a referendum. On every occasion the public decided not to vest power in the government for these matters.