Australian referendum, 1984 (Interchange of Powers)

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The constitution places some restraints on the ability of the states and the federal governments to freely cooperate. Constitution Alteration (Interchange of Powers) 1984 proposed that these constitutional bounds be removed, such that the states and the federal government could freely interchange powers at will. The proposal was put to a referendum in the Australian referendum, 1984.

[edit] Results

An Act to enable the Commonwealth and the States voluntarily to refer powers to each other.

Do you approve this proposed alteration?

Result
State	On rolls	Ballots issued	For		Against		Informal
State	On rolls	Ballots issued		%		%	Informal
New South Wales	3,423,624	3,216,256	1,475,971	%49.04	1,533,799	%50.96	206,486
Victoria	2,617,291	2,475,891	1,139,565	%49.86	1,146,136	%50.14	190,190
Queensland	1,549,749	1,447,284	578,674	%41.69	809,249	%58.31	59,361
South Australia	908,424	856,226	355,588	%45.94	418,433	%54.06	82,205
Western Australia	858,763	806,637	336,184	%44.28	423,022	%55.72	47,431
Tasmania	289,142	277,100	87,933	%34.65	165,878	%65.35	23,289
Australian Capital Territory	150,416	140,982	74,741	%56.10	58,487	%43.90	7,754
Northern Territory	68,857	58,668	25,684	%47.78	28,066	%52.22	4,918
Total for Commonwealth	9,866,266	9,279,044	4,074,340	%47.06	4,583,070	%52.94	621,634
Obtained majority in no State and an overall minority of 508,730 votes.
Not carried